Book excerpt: From the conquistadors to the Mexican-American War, the history of South America and Mexico is a rich tapestry of conquest, revolution, and political upheaval. This fascinating book offers a sweeping overview of that history, tracing the continent's evolution from pre-Columbian times to the present day. With its deep insights and engaging storytelling, it is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand this complex and dynamic region. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.