‘By Right of Conquest’ by G. A. Henty is a gripping historical novel set during the 15th century, amidst the conflicts of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The story follows the adventures of Roger Hawkshaw, a young Englishman who becomes embroiled in the epic conquest led by Hernán Cortés. Henty masterfully blends historical events with fictional characters, providing readers with a captivating account of the conquest. The novel explores themes of courage, loyalty, and cultural encounters, delving into the complexities of imperialism and the cost of conquest. Through Roger's perspective, readers gain insights into the clash of civilizations, the devastating impact of colonization, and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of power and riches. The story is a thrilling historical adventure that educates and entertains, shedding light on a pivotal chapter in world history while offering a compelling narrative of bravery and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges.
English author and war correspondent George Alfred Henty lived from 8 December 1832 to 16 November 1902. He is most well-known for his historical fiction and adventure books, including The Dragon & The Raven (1886), For The Temple (1888), Under Drake's Flag (1883), and In Freedom's Cause (1883). (1885). He was a British journalist who served as G. A. Henty's war correspondent. He was raised in Cambridge and finished his education there at Gonville and Caius College. He continued to cover important wars that followed, such as the Italian and Austro-Italian Wars. He wrote 122 books, most of which were geared toward young readers. He also wrote non-fiction, adult fiction, and short tales. In Henty's stories, the main character is a boy or young man who is going through a challenging situation. His characters are consistently low-key, astute, courageous, truthful, and resourceful with a lot of "pluck." The date was put at the bottom of the title page of each of Henty's 122 historical fiction works in their first printings.
