Matthew B. Restall is a historian and author of over forty books. His work focuses on six areas of specialization: the Spanish Conquest era in America; Aztec (Mexica) and Maya history; the history of colonial Mesoamerica, primarily Yucatán but including Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; the historical African diaspora in the Americas; the history of Christopher Columbus and what he calls Columbiana; and the history of popular music.