Synopses & Reviews
In a series of episodes as fantastic as any fiction, a powerful civilization crumbled at the hands of a small band of warriors. Written by one of America's great historians, this gripping chronicle draws upon the firsthand accounts of eminent sixteenth-century captains and statesmen to relate the overthrow of the Inca empire by the Spanish adventurers under Pizarro's command.
Author William H. Prescott's immensely readable narrative crackles with drama as he characterizes both conqueror and conquered. Rich in vivid anecdotes, it recaptures the glories of Inca society before European contact, and it paints fascinating portraits of the conquistadors and their courage, cruelty, and pride. Prescott's reconstructions of the attitudes and motivations behind the tumultuous events of the Spanish conquest offer memorable, insightful views of New World history that have made this book a popular classic.
Synopsis
This immensely readable chronicle recounts the subjugation of the mighty Inca empire by Pizarro and his conquistadors. Originally published in 1847, its bold and vivid portrait of the overthrow of a civilization encompasses the subsequent power struggles among the conquerors. The author’s colorful narrative style and sound scholarship, drawn from correspondence and other writings by the era’s foremost captains and statesmen, blends authenticity with excitement in an ever-popular history book.
Synopsis
Written by one of America's great historians, this gripping chronicle draws upon the firsthand accounts of eminent 16th-century captains and statesmen to relate the overthrow of the Inca empire by the Spanish adventurers under Pizarro's command. Rich in vivid anecdotes, it recaptures the glories of Inca society before European contact.
Synopsis
This gripping chronicle draws upon the firsthand accounts of eminent 16th-century captains and statesmen to relate the overthrow of the Inca empire by the conquistadors.
Table of Contents
Preface
Book I Introduction--View of the Civilization of the Incas
Chapter I Physical aspect of the country; Sources of Peruvian civilization; Empire of the Incas; Royal family; Nobility
Chapter II Orders of the state; Provisions for justice; Division of Lands; Revenues and registers; Great roads and posts; Military tactics and policy
Chapter III Peruvian religion; Deities; Gorgeous Temples; Festivals; Virgins of the sun; Marriage
Chapter IV Education; Quipus; Astronomy; Agriculture; Aqueducts; Guano; Important esculents
Chapter V Peruvian sheep; Great hunts; Manufactures; Mechanical skill; Architecture; Concluding reflections
Book II Discovery of Peru
Chapter I Ancient and modern science; Art of navigation; Maritime discovery; Spirit of the Spaniards; Possessions in the new world; Rumors concerning Peru
Chapter II Francisco Pizzarro; His early history; First expedition to the south; Distresses of the voyagers; Sharp encounters; Return to Panamá; Almagro's expedition
Chapter III The famous contract; Second expedition; Ruiz explores the coast; PizarroÕs sufferings in the forests; Arrival of new recruits; Fresh discoveries and disasters; Pizarro on the Isle of Gallo
Chapter IV Indignation of the governor; Stern resolution of Pizarro; Prosecution of the voyage; Brilliant aspect of Tumbez; Discoveries along the coast; Return to Panama; Pizarro embarks for Spain
Book III Conquest of Peru
Chapter I Pizarro's reception at court; His capitulation with the crown; He visits his birthplace; Returns to the new world; Difficulties with Almagro; His third expedition; Rich Indian booty; Battles in the Isle of Puná
Chapter II Peru at the time of the conquest; Reign of Huayna Capac; The Inca brothers; Contest for the Empire; Triumph and cruelties of Atahuallpa
Chapter III The Spaniards land at Tumbez; Pizarro reconnoitres the country; Foundation of San Miguel; March into the interior; Embassy from the Inca; Adventures of the march; Reach the foot of the Andes
Chapter IV Severe pasage of the Andes; Embassies from Atahuallpa; The Spaniards reach Caxamalca; Embassy to the Inca; Interview with the Inca; Despondency of the Spaniards
Chapter V Desperate plan of Pizarro; Atahuallpa visits the Spaniards; Horrible massacre; The Inca a prisoner; Conduct of the conquerors; Splendid promises of the Inca; Death of Huascar
Chapter VI Gold arrives for the ransom; Visit to Pachacamac; Demolition of the idol; The Inca's favorite general; The Inca's life in confinement; Envoy's conduct in Cuzco; Arrival of Almagro
Chapter VII Immense amount of treasure; Its division among the troops; Rumors of a rising; Trial of the Inca; His execution; Reflections
Chapter VIII Disorders in Peru; March to Cuzco; Encounter with the natives; Challcuchima burnt; Arrival in Cuzco; Description of the city; Treasure found there
Chapter IX New Inca crowned; Municipal regulations; Terrible march of Alvarado; Interview with Pizarro; Foundation of Lima; Hernando Pizarro reaches Spain; Sensation at court; Feuds of Almagro and the Pizarros
Chapter X Escape of the Inca; Return of Hernando Pizarro; Rising of the Peruvians; Siege and burning of Cuzco; Distresses of the Spaniards; Storming of the fortress; Pizarro's dismay; The Inca raises the siege
Book IV Civil Wars of the Conquerors
Chapter I Almagro's march to Chili; Sufferings of the troops; He returns and seizes Cuzco; Action of Abancay; Gaspar de Espinosa; Almagro leaves Cuzco; Negotiations with Pizarro
Chapter II First civil war; Almagro retreats to Cuzco; Battle of Las Salinas; Cruelty of the conquerors; Trial and execution of Almagro; His character
Chapter III Pizarro revisits Cuzco; Hernando returns to Castile; His long imprisonment; Commissioner sent to Peru; Hostilities with the Inca; Pizarro's active administration; Gonzalo Pizarro
Chapter IV Gonzalo Pizarro's expedition; Passage across the mountains; Discovers the Napo; Incredible sufferings; Orellana sails down the Amazon; Despair of the Spaniards; The survivors return to Quito
Chapter V The Almagro faction; Their desperate condition; Conspiracy against Francisco Pizarro; Assassination of Pizarro; Acts of the conspirators; Pizarro's character
Chapter VI Movements of the conspirators; Advance of Vaca de Castro; Proceedings of Almagro; Progress of the governor; The forces approach each other; Bloody plains of Chupas; Conduct of Vaca de Castro
Chapter VII Abuses by the conquerors; Code for the colonies; Great excitement in Peru; Blasco Nuñez the viceroy; His severe policy; Opposed by Gonzalo Pizarro
Chapter VIII The viceroy arrives at Lima; Gonzalo Pizarro marches from Cuzco; Death of the Inca Manco; Rash conduct of the viceroy; Seized and deposed by the audience; Gonzalo proclaimed governor of Peru
Chapter IX Measures of Gonzalo Pizarro; Escape of Vaca de Castro; Reappearance of the viceroy; His disastrous retreat; Defeat and death of the viceroy; Gonzalo Pizarro Lord of Peru
Book V Settlement of the Country
Chapter I Great sensation in Spain; Pedro de la Gasca; His early life; His mission to Peru; His politic conduct; His offers to Pizarro; Gains the fleet
Chapter II Gasca assembles his forces; Defection of Gonzalo Pizarro's followers; He musters his levies; Agitation in Lima; He abandons the city; Gasca sails from Panamá; Bloody battle of Huarina
Chapter III Dismay in Gasca's camp; His winter quarters; Resumes his march; Crosses the Apurimac; Pizarro's conduct in Cuzco; He encamps near the city; Rout of Xaquixaguana
Chapter IV Execution of Carbajal; Gonzalo Pizarro beheaded; Spoils of victory; Wise reforms by Gasca; He returns to Spain; His death and character
Index