Everyone is familiar with the figure of Hernan Cortes, and most readers probably have an opinion about his role in history, which is usually seen either in a very negative light (especially in Mexico) or with uncritical admiration. Both versions are far from the truth of this man's life. Juan Miralles has spent nearly thirty years of his life researching the person behind the conquistador and has put together all that information in this definitive biography of Cortes. It contains the finest distillation of first-hand accounts and rejects doubtful elements in order to present a thorough and critical portrait of this historical character. This book will change the stereotypical images maintained about the people and events that surrounded Cortes.