This adventurous new book examines the role of the infamous conquistador Hernando Cortés in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Sensitively written text describes his interactions with the native culture and population and the eventual demise of the Aztecs. Through exciting color photographs and easy-to-understand text, young readers will journey back to Central America of the 1500s to learn about the voyages, battles, and alliances formed by Cortés. Other topics include - Cortés' early life in Spain - the life of a conquistador - Spain in the New World - the Aztec Empire - the battle for Tenochtitlan and Cortés' Native allies - the death of Montezuma - smallpox and other European diseases - Chocolatl recipe - the Spanish Conquest of Mexico Teacher's guide available.