Charles M. Hudson (1932–2009)

I probably first read or heard about de Soto in high school, but until recently he was just a name, one of dozens of Spanish Conquistadors. Then in 2002 while traveling through the Tampa, FL area I came across a National Park commemoration where he first landed on a 4,000 mile 3-year trek through North America. Being there in person my imagination was fired and I've been fascinated by de Soto's journey ever since. I can still smell the salt air, hear the surf and see the Spanish horsemen show more moving through the shadows of the red mangrove forest. In terms of discovery and epic adventure de Soto is easily equal to Lewis and Clark - perhaps more so.

This is the single best book available about de Soto, representing 20 years of research and incorporating the latest in archaeological evidence. The route is historically a subject of great controversy, each state has commemorative trails and sites that occasionally change with new scholarship.

The books is a masterpiece incorporating details from many layers to create a highly textured and easily imagined vision of the Spainards and Indians. Hudson is an anthropologist and takes a multi-disiplinary approach which creates a much richer work than a straight historical narrative. One could spend a lot of time immersing in the details of the route and it is most interesting since it took place on American soil, and one can easily physcially re-trace and visit the locations today - even my fathers back yard in Columbia SC may be along the route!

Also recommend these reviews:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3880/is_199910/ai_n8865236

http://www.uga.edu/columns/091597/camp1.html show less

It was moderately interesting... As a former student of his, I believe he was trying to incorporate as much of the anthropological evidence he and his team(s) collected over the years into a story. He was a great teacher and I applaud his effort, but it just fell short to keep my interest held.

If you're into this type of fictionalized history, you may find it quite fascinating.

This was required reading for Dr. Hudson's 400 level course of the same title. This opened my eyes to the history of the Native Americans of the Southeast (and throughout the continents). Dr. Hudson was a tough but fair professor. Though the book isn't a tough read, as an anthropology student the details of that book seemed quite daunting. From understanding the use of fire lighters to the game Pelota, this book details the daily lives of the Southeastern Indians. Very much worth the read.

A fictional tale of the packhorsemen who carried trade goods out of Charleston and Augusta to the Upper and Lower Creek Indians