Esteban: The African Slave Who Explored America

Esteban, a black man who arrived in New Mexico in 1539, was the first white man seen by Pueblo Indians. This book highlights his importance in America's early history, dispelling myths and lies about him and emphasizing his courage and skill as a linguist and cultural intermediary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

When Pueblo Indians say, "The first white man our people saw was a black man," they are referring to Esteban, who came to New Mexico in 1539. After centuries of negative portrayals, this book highlights Esteban's importance in America's early history. Books about the history of the American West have ignored Esteban or belittled his importance, often using his slave nickname, Estebanico. What little we know about Esteban comes from Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and other Spanish chroniclers, whose condescension toward the African slave has carried over into most history books. In this work, Herrick dispels the myths and outright lies about Esteban. His biography emphasizes Esteban rather than the Spaniards whose exploits are often exaggerated and jingoistic in the sixteenth-century chronicles. He gives Esteban full credit for his courage and his skill as a linguist and cultural intermediary who was trusted and respected by Indians from many tribes across the continent.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826365644