Dawn of Empire - The Spanish Conquest of the Americas (Illustrated)

"The Spaniard of the fifteenth century is recognizable by well-defined traits: he was primitive, he was proud, he was devout, and he was romantic. His primitiveness we detect in his relish for blood and suffering; his pride in his austerity and exclusiveness; his devoutness in his mystical exaltation of the Church; and his romanticism in his passion for adventure."

An excellent look at the history of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, complete with accounts of the principal conquistadors and illustrated to enhance the reading experience.