Coronado's Golden Quest

Coronado’s Golden Quest describes Coronado’s search for gold in the Southwest and his interaction with the Natives residing there.

The first Europeans to explore the American Southwest were Spanish conquistadors. These explorers were looking for “gold, God, and glory”. The area was rife with rumors of golden cities filled with riches. After the phenomenal treasures that were discovered in the conquest of the Aztecs, these rumors were eminently believable. The expeditions invariably included a priest or two, looking to convert the indigenous people to a more civilized religion. And finally, they were looking for new lands to claim for the glory of their king and their personal glory.

Probably the most famous of these Spanish explorers was Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. Coronado spent a great deal of time and effort in his search for the Seven Cities of Cíbola.

Barbara Weisberg is a published poet and the author of several children’s books. Some of her published credits include Coronado’s Golden Quest (Stories of America), Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism and Susan B. Anthony.

Michael Eagle is a published author and an illustrator of several children’s books. Some of his published credits include Coronado’s Golden Quest (Stories of America), Nothing Is Impossible, Said Nellie Bly (Real Readers Series: Level Blue), A Flag for Our Country (Stories of America) and Gold Fever (Step Into Reading).

Alex Haley, as General Editor, wrote the introduction.