In accord with the growing interest in family roots and crypto-Jews, an independent Los Angeles scholar traces the history of Sephardic Jews who suffered expulsion, forced conversion, or auto da fé (burning at the stake) by the Inquisition in 15th century Spain and Portugal. Malamed treats the persecution of these Conversos (aka: Marranos) in Iberian countries and their colonies. Her interviews with desendents from Portugal to the US reveal that many share family names, traditions, and positive attitudes about their suspected heritage. The book includes a survey of Sephardic communities worldwide, list of surnames that indicate such ancestry, list of notable Conversos, record of arrests and executions by city, timelines, a glossary, period illustrations, and photographs. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)