Cities of Gold

Cities of Gold retraces the 1540-1542 Coronado expedition through the American Southwest, alternating between historical accounts and the author's modern-day journey along the same route. Hartmann, an astronomer and writer, follows Coronado's path from Mexico through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Kansas to understand the explorer's search for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. The narrative combines 16th century Spanish documents with observations of the contemporary landscapes, cultures and archaeological sites encountered during the author's travels. The parallel storytelling structure allows readers to experience both the historical expedition and the modern Southwest through direct comparison. The book provides cultural and geographical context for the collision between Spanish conquistadors and Native American peoples during the early exploration of North America. Through his dual-timeline approach, Hartmann examines how myths, ambition, and misunderstanding shaped the interactions between these civilizations. This work raises questions about the relationship between legend and reality, the nature of human quests, and how interpretations of the same landscapes can vary dramatically across time and culture. The layered examination of past and present creates a meditation on how stories and myths continue to influence our understanding of place.

Readers found Cities of Gold to be a detailed historical account that blends archaeological research with personal travel narrative. On Goodreads, the book maintains a 3.9/5 rating from 212 ratings. Readers highlighted: - Clear parallels between modern Southwest and colonial era - In-depth research on Coronado's expedition - Integration of Native American perspectives - Rich descriptions of Southwest landscapes - Balance between academic and accessible writing Common criticisms: - Pacing slows during travel narrative sections - Too much focus on author's personal journey - Occasional repetitive passages - Some readers wanted more historical detail, less modern travelogue Amazon ratings average 4.2/5 from 89 reviews. Several reviewers noted the book worked best for readers already familiar with Southwest history. One reader called it "a historian's road trip through time," while another felt it "gets bogged down in camp cooking details and car troubles." Source ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (212 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (89 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (28 ratings)

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🏺 Author William K. Hartmann is not only a writer but also a renowned planetary scientist who helped establish the widely accepted "giant impact" theory of the Moon's formation. 🌵 The book retraces the 1540-1542 expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado through the American Southwest, with the author following the historic route by jeep and horseback. ⚔️ The narrative weaves together three timelines: the 16th-century Spanish expedition, the author's modern journey, and the Native American perspective—providing a unique triple-layered view of the Southwest. 🎨 Hartmann includes his own watercolor illustrations throughout the book, combining his artistic talents with his historical research. 🗺️ The book debunks several myths about the Coronado expedition, including the belief that the explorers were solely focused on finding cities made of gold—they were actually seeking to establish new territories for Spain.