Francisco Pizarro

Children's Literature

Placing Francisco Pizarro in the context of other explorers and conquistadors, this book paints the conqueror of the Inca Empire as the overseer of a massive genocide that exterminated twelve million people in just ten years. Chapters focus not only on Pizarro's voyages but on those of Columbus, Balboa, and Cortes, placing Pizarro's desire for conquest in its cultural context. The author also includes a chapter about the history and culture of the Inca Empire. The incredible violence and cruelty of Pizarro's control of the empire is underscored not only by historical anecdotes but also by black-and-white illustrations of battles and executions. Maps of South America and of the routes taken by European explorers are included in the text. Supplementary materials include a timeline and glossary, as well as suggestions for further reading and Web sites to explore. One rather dismaying element is the source notes, which seem to indicate that the author did his research exclusively on the Internet. This may not be the best endorsement for teachers who encourage students to utilize a variety of print and online sources for their own research. This is a volume in the "History's Villains" series. 2003, Thomson Gale,
— Norah Piehl