Book report: *Feathered Serpent*

This is my book report on Colin Falconer's *Feathered Serpent*.
This book is set in the early 1500's and based on historical facts surrounding Hernan Cortes' hostile takeover of the Mexica people whose capitol was Tenoctitlan. If I ever have another child I think I will name him or her Tenoctitlan because it's fun to say. The basic gist of the story is that Cortes goes in with about 3 Spaniards and is able to gain control of the very well-established Mexica culture, government, people and lands because his interpreter/lover believes he is the god from the Cloud Lands profesied by her father. From a novel perspective, this is a really easy read and very interesting. From a historical perspective, it seems quite accurate although I am no expert. Our schools should be teaching us about how our country was taken from the indiginous peoples. But here's the thing this book also demonstrates, perhaps more than anything: The Importance of Being an Appropriate Interpreter. (Not where you thought this was going, right??)
When I was a paid member of society, I worked as a bilingual medical social worker. (Hefty title, little paycheck.) I cannot tell you how many times people didn't recognize the importance of using an appropriate interpreter. We had doctors who didn't think twice about using Maria's 8-yr old son to interpret medical information that she probably didn't want him to know. Now before you get all riled up and suggest that Maria should bring her own interpreter, let me inform you of something. Maria is entitled (that's right, ENTITLED) to an interpreter through the Civil Rights Act of 1968 which every institution which receives federal dollars (hospitals for example, receive Medicare funds which are federal) is responsible to uphold. Is it convenient? No. But people must be afforded correct information that hasn't been edited because of who the interpreter is, and sometimes that kind of information isn't convenient. Now, back to the book.
So, Cortes meanders through modern day Mexico, which had been conquered by the Mexica and all the indiginous groups paid tribute to the Mexica and were none too pleased by it. Early on in his travels, he meets an indiginous woman who knows the right languages to help him out and learns Spanish as well. All along, she believes he is the incarnation of Feathered Serpent. Initially he does not know this and so when he asks her to interpret things he says to the locals, she embellishes and literally changes the course of history because she convinces whole nations that he is indeed a god incarnate. They'd all like to be released from their yearly taxes to the Mexica and follow him once they believe her lies. Eventually he has a bit of an army with which to enter Tenoctitlan. While I'm sure he appreciated the help, the interesting thing is that he never intended for them to believe he was a god, and even told his interpreter to clarify that point with them (which she does not do).
This is a really interesting read as far as a book goes. It demonstrates the power of words and their ability to affect history. It is a clear picture of how entertwined our words, feelings and beliefs are, to the point that they start to influence each other.