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CITIES OF GOLD
by William K. Hartmann
Forge, November 2002
537 pages
$25.95
ISBN: 0765301121


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

More historical suspense than mystery, this book pulls off an interesting feat: not only does the author discuss his research in detail, he cites long passages from primary documents and still manages to produce an eminently readable and engaging piece of work.

There are two parallel tales which make up the story. In the late 1980's we have Kevin Scott, an idealistic young city planner with a background in history. Kevin is persuaded to take a job, somewhat reluctantly, with a big Arizona developer. He is to use his expertise to ferret out some Real History that might have taken place on the property to be developed. The boss figures he can use what Kevin finds to add some panache - marketing - to his new Coronado Estates. Kevin tells himself that he can use the opportunity to do research that will have real value, whatever Mr. Big decides to do with it.

Precisely 450 years earlier, we have Fray Marcos de Niza, an idealistic priest with a background in colonial expansion (and a real historical person). Marcos is persuaded to lead, somewhat reluctantly, an expedition of exploration north of Mexico. He is to investigate rumours of wealthy cities to be found there. There is much avid anticipation of riches such as had been recently plundered from the Aztecs; Marcos has deep misgivings about such behaviour but tells himself that he can use the opportunity to bring the word of God to the pleasant, friendly natives he finds en route and possibly help institute a peaceful contact to the benefit of all.

De Niza is the subject of some controversy in historical circles. His report of his journey north triggered an eager (and expensive) foray of an army headed by Vazquez de Coronado and funded by many wealthy nobles, all expecting to reap vast returns. When they found only a pastoral society whose main wealth was in land, buffalo and turquoise, they were furious and claimed the priest lied to them. What he did and did not see, and what he did and did not say, form much of the meat of this book.

Kevin investigates Marcos' story and we watch as both get caught up in the greed and politics of their times. The parallels between the two stories are overtly drawn; both parties wrestle with the conflict between their own observations and the dominant world view. Kevin frequently notes the date in terms of where de Niza would have been in his journey 450 years before; the arcs of the two careers follow similar paths, though we get a pleasantly thrilling ending to Kevin's story that does not resemble Marcos'.

This is a long book, and could not be described as fast-paced. There are people who, when they encounter a book which starts slowly, just chuck it and start another. There are others who keep at it in the hopes it will pick up. Sometimes we are disappointed in this, but other times we are rewarded; this is one of the rewarding variety. Satisfying.

Reviewed by Diana Sandberg, February 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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