Flying Conquistadors
by Michael Scott
Bertrand (Goodreads Author)
It's
hard work, but it's better than working at the hardware store--and maybe it's
his ticket to a life of adventure.
When Pan Am's owner
recruits Charles Lindbergh, it seems like a dream come true for Oliver. He finds
himself working alongside one of his idols, the kind of man he always dreamed of
being. But Oliver soon learns Lindbergh is uncomfortable with fame, and
struggling with the adoration that greets him wherever he goes.
A promotional trip takes
the Pan Am team to Mexico over Mayan ruins. At the fabled site of Chichen Itza,
Oliver encounters Carnegie Institution archaeologists working to restore the
ancient city, and meets an artist who begins to steal his heart. But what starts
out as a mission to bring attention to the fledgling aviation company soon turns
perilous, threatening the safety of Oliver and his companions.
Leona's
Review:
I received a
complimentary copy of Flying Conquistadors from the author, Michael Scott
Bertrand.
In the beginning of the
book: "To the reader: This is a work of fiction. Several characters in this work
of fiction are based on real people. I have put words into the mouths of these
characters that the real people did not say." The reader should remember this
as they read the book.
Michael Scott
Bertrand takes the reader on quite an adventure.
The adventure takes us on
Pam Am Airlines and to the ruins of Mexico. It starts with the beginning of Pan
Am as a mail plane and then accepts passengers. Oliver Wheelock begins as an all
around helper. The owner, Mr. Priester is Dutch. The author made him a special
character and I really like him and how he spoke. Charles Lindbergh is the
hero of Oliver and later the reader will find Ernest Hemingway as part of the
book. I also like Oliver's mother. I think she said what most mother say when
worried about their child. She was from South Carolina so you will see the
"Bless Your Heart" saying.
I have studied the Maya
and their culture and this book takes the reader to the ruins. The author has
certainly been to the ruins. He also has a lot of knowledge about
airplanes.
The Carnegie Foundation
is involved in archaeology at the ruins. They had a facility in Key West,
Florida.
The character of Charles
Lindbergh drinks a lot of Coca-cola, I could not find that
information anywhere on the Internet but I will take the word of the writer. He
is a quiet man who does not care for all the attention.
Most of the ruins I knew
but the author lost me about page 350 when I thought they were at the ruins at
El Tajin in Veracruz. When I re-read the book, I will probably figure out which
ruins.
I found the description
on the planes were interesting. Main rule was safety, safety, safety. Plane
references were leather jacket, goggles, retractable wheels, fuel amount left,
clipper and Pan American Airway Systems.
Many references to the
ruins of Mexico and Central America are cenote (sinkhole), Chichen Itza, Tikal,
Merida, sacbe (sacred road), stelae, thatched roofs, Mayan, Moctecuhzoma, ball
court, pyramid, Solstice, hard to climb steps because so steep, Yucatan,
paintings on walls, Tulum and more.
Frederick Catherwood is
mentioned in the book. Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephen were in the Yucatan of
Mexico together. Catherwood was an artist and his drawings are in the book.
Read the book, Incidents of Travel in the Yucatan for more information. I have
it and found it very interesting.
The reader will find the
name of Montezuma spelled Motecuhzoma which is Nahuatl, language of the Aztec.
The author also spells it Moctezuma.
I will still give it a 5
star rating.
Find Michael Scott
Bertrand at www.michaelscottbertrand.com.
Leona Olson
