Aztec Rage by Gary Jennings ***

Having read most of Gary Jennings' earlier books "Aztec", "Aztec Blood", "Aztec Autumn" I was surprised to receive this novel as a gift because Jennings died in 1999. This novel was a completion of his notes and previous research by his former editor and a co-author. The style of Jennings' tradition is maintained. This book, however, focuses primarily on the aftermath of the Spanish invasion of Latin America and the reality of the demise of the Aztec people and the destruction of their culture. Spanish greed and the religious intolerance of the Catholic Church are boldly exposed for the insensitivity of their invasive actions. At the commencement of the book the primary character, Don Juan de Zavala , is a dashing caballero. He is shockingly roomed from this lofty position of the upper classes when the truth about his heritage is revealed by an uncle who, in attempt to murder Don Juan de Zavala accidently kills himself. The rest of the book traces the adventures of the fallen hero throughout the country of Mexico, the Franco/Spanish war, and an eventually uprising of thousands of the Indios who attempt to regain their freedom from Spain. It is lively read, for those who are interested in this period in history.