This first volume of papers from conferences is devoted to the study of Conversos, Spanish Jews who converted to Christianity, and Moriscos, Spanish Muslims who also converted. Ingram (modern history, Saint Louis University, Madrid)introduces the collection with historiography on the attempt to erase the contributions of Muslims and Jews to Spanish culture, a policy that lasted to the end of the Franco era. The articles give a multi-faceted picture of the lives of Conversos and Moriscos. Many seem to have eventually become genuine Christians; others practiced their religion in secret. Some became agnostics or Humanists. Articles discuss encounters with the Spanish Inquisition, the Converso influence on Spanish literature, the backlash against Moriscos after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks and the resentment of "Old Christians" toward the new ones that made assimilation difficult if not impossible. Ingram rounds out the book by reviewing the fiction and fraud that characterized the rewriting of history to vindicate each group. This well written and enlightening collection will, it is hoped, inaugurate the publication of many more on this long neglected topic. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)