DESCRIPTION

Juan Ponce de León was an important figure in the history of the Spanish colonization of what are today Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the southeastern United States. While many people are familiar with the name Ponce de León, only a handful know the historical truth of what Ponce did -- and did not -- do!

Juan Ponce de León is the most extensive biography to date of this important but misrepresented figure in the early colonial history of America. Written by one of America's foremost experts on 15th and 16th century exploration and discovery, this book dispels the myths about Ponce de León and credits him with discoveries for which he previously has not been credited. The author assembles the most extensive collection ever of facts, reasoned inference, translations of critical documents, original maps, historical illustrations, and photographs bearing upon the life and legacy of this important figure. Ponce's life and legacy are examined in the context of Spain's ambitions in the New World during the 16th century.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deceased in 2004, Robert H. Fuson was a historical geographer who lived in Temple Terrace, Florida. He was one of America's foremost experts on 15th- and 16th-century exploration and discovery. He held degrees from Indiana University (AB), Florida State University (MA), and Louisiana State University (PhD), and is Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida. He has authored more than 140 publications, including ten books, among which are the classic Fundamentals of Place-Name Geography (1966: 9th edition - 1999), Legendary Islands of the Ocean Sea (1995), and the award-winning The Log of Christopher Columbus (1997). He has frequently appeared on television and radio both in the United States and abroad, and has received numerous awards and other special recognition for his work.


ENDORSEMENTS

"First Columbus's Log, now with exacting detail Fuson makes you a member of Ponce de Leon's expedition to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Florida. For all history buffs, he reveals the exploits of this little written about Spanish explorer."  Bob Martinez, Governor of Florida 1987-91

"There are few scholars, if any, who could have covered this subject with greater clarity. Fuson is a polymath who for years has been in the vanguard of developing important theories relating to Renaissance discovery. He is a geographer who has had first-hand experience in Spain, the Caribbean, and Florida, and he knows these areas extremely well." Sanford H. Bederman, Professor Emeritus of Geography, Georgia State University and Past President of the Society for the History of Discoveries

"As the first Spanish governor of Puerto Rico, Juan Ponce de León left an indelible imprint on the history of a community that nearly five centuries later has become the United States' Island of Enchantment in the Caribbean Sea. Professor Fuson is to be commended for introducing a wide audience to the life and times of an extraordinary personage." Pedro Rosselló, Governor of Puerto Rico

REVIEWS

"[Fuson] has brought together an extensive collection of facts, original documents, maps, and illustrations bearing on the life and legacy of this important figure. A beautifully written and well-illustrated work that should be in all public and academic libraries." Library Journal September 1, 2000

"Ponce de Le Booklist

Other titles on exploration:

An Alien in Antarctica