Spanish author José Ángel Mañas will discuss 'Guerrero' at NHCC

AT NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER

Author José Ángel Mañas of Spain will discuss his new book “Guerrero: A Novel of Conquest and Resistance” at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Mañas’ novel is based on the real-life Spaniard Gonzalo Guerrero, a Spanish sailor (or was he a soldier) who survived a shipwreck on the Yucatán coast only to be enslaved by a local Mayan tribe.

Spanish author José Ángel Mañas will discuss 'Guerrero' at NHCC

Guerrero apparently took an interest in Mayan culture and religion, married a Mayan woman, and fought with the tribe against conquistador Hernán Cortés’ men.

Mañas’ novel “Guerrero” is his first published in English. As a literary figure, Mañas is often grouped among Spain’s neo-realist writers of the 1990s.

The Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque is presenting Mañas. His discussion of “Guerrero” will be in the Salón Ortega at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth St. SW.

AT BOOKWORKS

Frances Levine will be in conversation with Kate Nelson about Levine’s new history “Crossings: Women on the Santa Fe Trail” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Bookworks.

Levine, a resident of St. Louis, is the former president and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society. She had previously been the director of the New Mexico History Museum and the Palace of the Governors.

Bookworks is located at 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.

IN TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS & GIFTS

Albuquerque’s Ross Van Dusen will sign copies of his children’s books and his novels from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Treasure House Books & Gifts.

Among his children’s book are “Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree” and “Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: The Best Day Ever!” Van Dusen’s most recent novel is “How Dance Hall Mary Conquered the West.”

Treasure House is located 2012 South Plaza St. NW, Old Town.

IN TAOS

Authors Joe De Patta, Jeff Jackson and Mike Murphy will read from their work at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at SOMOS Salon, 108 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos. They share such common themes as introspection and self-deprecation.