In the early spring of 1540, a little army of explorers headed by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado marched out of Mexico City. The band of one thousand men, ranging from Spanish cavalry to friendly Indians, was commencing the first leg of a long journey in search of the legendary city of Cibola somewhere to the north. Reports of the gold and riches to be found in Cibola had come to the governor of Mexico, and he desperately needed the wealth to keep the Spanish king happy.

More than three years later and much depleted in number, the exhausted band returned. Coronado had explored a vast new country, mapped unknown rivers, measured distances, and noted latitudes. But he had found neither gold nor silver, so in the eyes of the Spanish government he was a failure.

Ronald Syme's lively account of the hardships encountered by this staunch explorer and his weary followers is filled with telling detail. Drawing upon an eyewitness account, he presents a fascinating and incredible story, one that is a tribute to Coronado's courage and fortitude.

From the dust jacket