Francisco Pizarro (Groundbreakers: Explorers)

Francisco Pizarro (Groundbreakers: Explorers)

From School Library Journal Grade 4-7-These two biographies leave much to be desired. Both titles relay the basic facts about their subjects' lives but do not do so in a particularly interesting or organized manner. The lack of transition from one topic to another gives the books a disjointed and erratic flow. Pizarro's encounters with the Incas of South America are the focus of his biography, and a fair amount of information about this ancient civilization is included. Manning describes Hudson's various trips in an effort to find a passage to Asia, both through the Arctic Circle and across the Atlantic, as well as his voyage up the Hudson River. Several pages are devoted to the mutiny that apparently ended Hudson's life. The full-color photos and reproductions of the explorers, the civilizations they explored, and the maps of their trips are probably the best aspects of the books. Try Joan Goodman's Beyond the Sea of Ice: The Voyages of Henry Hudson (Mikaya, 1999) or Richard Worth's Pizarro and the Conquest of the Incan Empire in World History (Enslow, 2000) instead.Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. How was Francisco Pizzaro able to defeat the powerful Incan army? Why did he draw a line in the sand? What kind of legacy has he in South America? The 'Groundbreakers' series explores the lives of pioneering men and women-people whose achievements and discoveries have had a lasting impact on our world. Each book tells about the experiences that inspired these amazing individuals to think in new ways and discusses how the environment they lived in affected their work. Information on their supporters, colleagues, and rivals adds to the story. Finally, a look at the person's legacy shows how their achievements and discoveries continue to affect people today. About the Author Ruth Manning is a Heinemann-Raintree author.