The Conquest of Florida by Hernando de Soto, Volume 1

What it is

This is the cover of the first volume of a narrative history of Hernando de Soto's expedition into Florida, credited to Theodore Irving (sometimes associated with Washington Irving). It is held with a library label at the University of California.

Why it matters

This book is part of a long nineteenth-century tradition of retelling the story of Spanish conquistadors for readers long after the events. Such narratives shaped how generations of Americans imagined De Soto's expedition, blending historical record with storytelling.

Look closer

• Why might a book written centuries later still carry the explorer's name in its title?
• What is the difference between a narrative history and a primary record?
• What biases might a nineteenth-century author bring to the story of a conquistador?