In an earlier issue of HAHR (November 1964, pp. 611-613), I reviewed the first three volumes of this work, pointing out its nature and scope and expressing the hope that its author might see the completion of a truly encyclopedic task. The three additional volumes now under review continue the second series, namely of those which take up the Jesuits who died in the seventeenth century: tomo IV, from Báez to Castillo (Nicolás del); tomo V, from Castillo (Rodrigo del) to Cruz (Diego de la); and tomo VI, from Cruz (Hernando de la) to Flores. Encouragingly, the volumes have been appearing in rapid succession: two in 1965 and one in 1966.
The author has drawn upon mainly published materials, but also several manuscript collections not readily accessible to scholars. The attention and space given to each entry obviously vary in accordance with the information obtainable about each. Further, Father Zambrano does not attempt to weigh one source or one authority against another; in fact, he repeatedly states that he is not trying to pass definitive judgment on any point but merely wishes to make available the most abundant sources on the life, work, and writings of his brother Jesuits for readers and historians.
The Diccionario bio-bibliográfico is a rich mine of information on the men who played an important part in promoting education in the cities of New Spain and in extending northwestward a vast mission system which reached into present-day United States.
