This is a groundbreaking work that shows how environmental factors played an important role in determining history. It uses Pizarro's conquest of the Incas to illustrate how different cultures developed at different speeds due to the prevailing crops, population densities, and other factors. Diamond gives a great explanation of the clash of civilizations in the New World.

A comparative look at Spanish and British colonization in the New World puts both in perspective. Written by the most famous historian of Spain, this book combines excellent knowledge of both England and Spain with a comparison of the different goals and methods of the two largest colonial powers.

A short, concise, and clear history of the American West from its Spanish foundations on. Has an excellent section on Spanish background of the American West.

The original and most famous work on the Spanish conquest of the New World. It's over 150 years old, but it's still the most complete work on the topic, and is the basis for any serious study of Cortes, Pizarro, and their ilk.

Taylor does an excellent job of bringing Spanish America into the history of the United States. Readable and full of detail, this book is a good monograph for understanding how Spanish America played a role in the development of British America.

An update of Prescott, this is a huge book that investigates every possible aspect of the conquest of Mexico. Thomas is a well-known Latin American scholar, and his prose is readable and full of insight.