Ponce Review And Interview

Rating 3  🌟️🌟️🌟️ Content rating, High School+ for historical politicians being like modern ones.

Ponce is Alternative Historical Fiction. Meaning that it is telling history with different people as the heroes, not that the main details of history have been changed. As should be expected instead of hearing how polyamourus the natives were we here about how polyamourus the Europeans were. The truth of the matter is few were chaste.

The first half of the book is from Ponce de Leon’s perspective and the second is from Juarez’s. But occasionally we get bits from the native point of view and discover that the “pure” water, that Ponce thinks is from the Fountain of Youth is just a hoax.

Mostly my thoughts about most this book are as neutral as my thoughts on the titular man. He made a big deal about the part of the America’s that he explored. He introduced pigs to the America’s. He wasn’t a great guy, but he is important. I’ve heard contradicting stories on how much he explored.

The ending however, that was clearly the best part of the book and when I first published this I had a long explanation of why this was. I’ve been asked to remove the spoilers so, sorry. I understand why people don’t want spoilers of their book out.

Historical fiction about real characters is hard to rate. Do you rate the book lower because of dislike of the person and their actions, higher for the research put into it, or just on how much you enjoyed it. I don’t know.

Book Details:
Book Title:  Ponce: What Actually Happened at the Fountain of Youth by Jim Halveron
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 164 pages
Genre: Satire / Historical Fiction
Publisher: Gail Force Publishing
Release Date: November 2021
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA only), ebook (Gifted Kindle, mobi file (for Kindle), ePub, PDF, NetGalley download)
Tour dates: November 1 to November 19
Content Rating:  G – Mentions of violence, but nothing specific. No language. I disagree as they mention Isabella and Ponce going to confession together!!!!

To find out more about the book or to enter a giveaway go to IReadTours

Book Description:
Two Florida State geology students found the pages written by Ponce de Leon’s chronicler in a dry limestone cave in the northwest panhandle. The original Spanish papers, five hundred years old, were found in relatively good shape, protected from time and moisture in a heavy triple-walled leather case. They chronicle Ponce de Leon’s second expedition to Florida in search of the fountain of youth.

What detail of Ponce are you most proud of?

The crafty ingenuity of the indigenous people that enabled them to stay a step ahead of the mighty European forces bent on inflicting their will and stealing the Native Americans’ wealth and land. By insisting on meeting only in small bands, the Native Americans avoided a massacre. By intangible negotiations, the Native Americans created needs for the Spaniards. Quick wits convinced the Spaniards that some water came from magical springs. By demonstrating a desire for peace and tranquility, the Native Americans sent the Spaniards packing with minimal bloodshed.

What important detail in Ponce do you think most people will overlook?

I hope readers will appreciate the psychological pitfall of gullibility. Mighty forces conquering the new world searching for and finding wealth must have been exhilarating. That exhilaration led at least one conquistador to seek the intangible and illusive Fountain of Youth. Ponce is a satirical look at a man whose greed and lust for fame made him gullible to crafty Native Americans.

What character in this book are you the tiniest bit envious of and why?

Juarez would be that character. Although he came to conquer and take the gold, he found himself and returned to the peace and tranquility of his childhood, a goal most of us seek. He watched men under his control walk barefoot on the beach and smelling the flowers. Thoughts of his childhood on the Spanish beach where he had nothing except happy memories made him wish he could join his men.

When Ponce lost reality, Juarez tried to walk a straight line. He worked with the Native Americans, attempting to avoid bloodshed. Finally, he recognized that he would never have any peace if he stayed with Ponce. Ponce sailed away, facing certain death as the story ends; Juarez finds himself face down on a white sand beach.

What is the least common thing you are a fan of?

Nebulous questions that beg open ended answers would be one. I presume that would be a least common thing, and I am a fan of that. Beauty and strength are in the minute detail of a least common thing. The smallest building blocks make the strongest foundations whether you’re building a skyscraper or debating the merits of peace and freedom in a democracy. Reduce the problem to its smallest denominator and answer simple questions with simple straight forward answers.

By the way, Ponce would have avoided his problems in Florida if he had reduced the uncertainty he faced to small questions and then sought simple answers.

What sort of honor would you like your book to receive?

No great visions of grandeur here, for Trials and Trails or even Wilderness Spa perhaps. For Ponce, book of the year for satirical history would be nice.

Meet the Author:
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​Jim Halverson grew up in the rural, gold-mining town of Mokelumne Hill, CA and received his MBA from Golden Gate University. He spent part of his life on a ranch and is an avid student of psychology. He recognizes the struggles of all men and women seeking equality and respect. Jim and his wife, Gail, spend their time traveling from their small farm in Forestville, CA.