Most fourth graders learn that Juan Ponce de Le"n was looking for the Fountain of Youth when he discovered Florida in 1513. Ponce de Le"n, a member of the Spanish upper class, sailed with Columbus on his second expedition and became a prosperous farmer on Hispaniola and later governor of Puerto Rico. In 15106, he was searching for a rumored island west of Cuba called Bimini when he instead came upon the peninsula of Florida, which he explored in two expeditions but never colonized. He was the first European to discover the value of the Gulf Stream, which was so vital to the Atlantic crossings. Ponce de Le"n was killed by Indians near Tampa in 1521. He found no gold and founded no colonies, and his explorations were overshadowed by the achievements of Cortes and Pizzaro in Mexico and Peru, respectively. Fuson, a historical geographer at the University of South Florida, demonstrates that Ponce de Le"n was an honest, deliberate, and rational man at a time when abuse, greed, and treachery often prevailed. The author has brought together an extensive collection of facts, original documents, maps, and illustrations bearing on the life and legacy of this important figure.

A beautifully written and well-illustrated work that should be in all public and academic libraries.DStanley L. Itkin, Hillside P.L., New Hyde Park, NY Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.