A Voyage Long & Strange by Tony Horwitz, reviewed by Eric
This is an honest look at how brutal and ethnocentric the early conquistadors were. It explores the early history of America, including the parts that many people are fuzzy on - the landing of the Vikings, Ponce DeLeon, and other folk besides the Pilgrims.
One fascinating and unpleasant story tells how one group of conquistadors would read a papal ultimatum to the natives. By their own law, they were required to read it to natives of another country that they were claiming. It basically said 'choose to submit to our rule, or we will kill you.' Of course, it wasn't required that they actually read this ultimatum in the language of the people they were conquering.
This book is an eye-opener that makes you think about manifest destiny, land use, etc. It's also very accessible because it's part travel journal - Tony Horwitz went and traveled through all the parts he writes about and talked to the people that live there today. A compelling read.
