Synopses & Reviews
andldquo;Distinguished by an extraordinary empathy, a feeling of oneandrsquo;s way into the minds of the sixteenth-century Spaniards and Indians . . . Provocative.andrdquo; andmdash;
New York Times andldquo;An extraordinary book. Combining rigorous historical research and profound analysis with stylistic elegance, this work allows the reader to appreciate the tragic and fabulous history of the Incan empire in all its richness and diversity. It reads like the most skillful novel.andrdquo; andmdash; Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature
In 1532, the magnificent Inca empire was the last great civilization still isolated from the rest of humankind. The Conquest of the Incas is the definitive history of this civilizationandrsquo;s overthrow, from the invasion by Pizarroandrsquo;s small gang of conquistadors and the Incasandrsquo; valiant attempts to expel the invaders to the destruction of the Inca realm, the oppression of its people, and the modern discoveries of Machu Picchu and the lost city of Vilcabamba. This authoritative, wide-ranging account, grounded in meticulous research and firsthand knowledge and told from the viewpoints of both protagonists, andldquo;keeps all the complex issues to the fore . . . the deeper wonder of the conquest and the deeper horror of its resultsandrdquo; (Washington Post).
andldquo;The bible for historians and archaeologists studying the final days of the Inca. For the past thirty years, The Conquest of the Incas has remained the most influential book for Inca scholars. There is no other book which is even in the same class.andrdquo; andmdash; Brian S. Bauer, professor, University of Illinois at Chicago, leading archaeologist of the Inca
Synopsis
This monumental work of history removes the Incas from the realm of legend and shows the reality of their struggles against the Spanish invasion. Winner of the 1971 Christopher Award. Index; photographs, maps, and line drawings.
Synopsis
-Distinguished by an extraordinary empathy, a feeling of one's way into the minds of the sixteenth-century Spaniards and Indians . . . Provocative.- -- New York Times
-An extraordinary book. Combining rigorous historical research and profound analysis with stylistic elegance, this work allows the reader to appreciate the tragic and fabulous history of the Incan empire in all its richness and diversity. It reads like the most skillful novel.- -- Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature
In 1532, the magnificent Inca empire was the last great civilization still isolated from the rest of humankind. The Conquest of the Incas is the definitive history of this civilization's overthrow, from the invasion by Pizarro's small gang of conquistadors and the Incas' valiant attempts to expel the invaders to the destruction of the Inca realm, the oppression of its people, and the modern discoveries of Machu Picchu and the lost city of Vilcabamba. This authoritative, wide-ranging account, grounded in meticulous research and firsthand knowledge and told from the viewpoints of both protagonists, -keeps all the complex issues to the fore . . . the deeper wonder of the conquest and the deeper horror of its results- (Washington Post).
-The bible for historians and archaeologists studying the final days of the Inca. For the past thirty years, The Conquest of the Incas has remained the most influential book for Inca scholars. There is no other book which is even in the same class.- -- Brian S. Bauer, professor, University of Illinois at Chicago, leading archaeologist of the Inca
Synopsis
John Hemming's masterly and highly acclaimed account is a must-read book for anyone considering a trip to Peru or wanting to know more about the final days of the Inca empire.
From the first small band of Spanish adventurers to enter the mighty Inca empire to the execution of the last Inca forty years later, it is the story of bloodshed, infamy, rebellion, and extermination, told as convincingly as if it happened yesterday.
It also tells the social impact of the conquest on ordinary Peruvians forced to work for Spanish masters or in hellish silver and mercury mines, on changes to religion and government, and how survivors of the Inca elite reacted to the new order.
The Conquest of the Incas is an extraordinary book. In it, rigorous historical research and profound analysis combine with stylistic elegance to produce a work that conveys to us, in all its richness and diversity, the tragic and fabulous history of the Inca realm; and it is as delightful to read as the best novels. -- Mario Vargas Lllosa, Peruvian, Nobel Laureate in Literature
"Distinguished by an extraordinary empathy, a feeling of one's way into the minds of the sixteenth-century Spaniards and Indians . . . Provocative." -- New York Times
Synopsis
Winner of the Christopher Award
"Distinguished by an extraordinary empathy, a feeling of one's way into the minds of the 16th-century Spaniards and Indians ... A provocative book." -The New York Times
Praised as the finest account of the annihilation of the Incan empire since W.H. Prescott's History of the Conquest of Peru, this compelling, authoritative account removes the Incas from the realm of prehistory and legend and shows the reality of their struggle against the Spanish invasion. Drawing on rediscovered sources and a firsthand knowledge of the Incan terrain, Hemming vividly describes postconquest Peru and the integration of the Incas into the Spanish society, refuting many misconceptions about the decline of the Incan empire.
With maps, line drawings, and 24 pages of photography
John Hemming has written extensively for both popular and academic audiences about South American history. A writer, explorer, and anthropologist, he is a member of the Royal Geographic Society and has traveled extensively in all continents, crossing the Sahara and Syrian deserts and taking part in a major exploration of a previously unknown part of Brazil.
Synopsis
The definitive history of the fall of the Incan empire
Praised as the finest account of the end of Incan empire since W. H. Prescott's History of the Conquest of Peru, this monumental explanation of the sixteenth-century Spanish invasion removes the Incas from the realm of legend and describes their battles against forces led by conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Drawing upon rediscovered sources and a first-hand knowledge of the Incan terrain, Hemming vividly describes post-conquest Peru and the Incan resistance to fully integrating into Spanish society. With maps, line drawings, and twenty-four pages of photography, The Conquest of the Incas is an intimately researched and evocative history of one of the world's most fascinating civilizations that refutes many misconceptions about how the Incas were defeated.
About the Author
John Hemming was Director of the Royal Geographic Society in London from 1975 to 1996. He has travelled throughout Peru and much of Amazonia on a series of surveying and environmental research expeditions, often in unexplored forests. He has probably visited more indigenous tribes than any other non-Brazilian, including four at the time of their first contact. In addition to The Conquest of the Incas, his sixteen books include Monuments of the Incas, The Search for El Dorado, a three-volume history of Braziland#8217;s indigenous peoples (Red Gold, Amazon Frontier, Die If You Must) and Tree of Rivers. For this work, Peru honored him with the El Sol del Perand#250; award and the grand cross of the Order of Merit; Brazil gave him the Order of the Southern Cross; and Britain, the Order of St Michael and St George. He has a D. Litt doctorate from Oxford, and other honorary doctorates and fellowships. John Hemming is also chairman of a company publishing trade magazines and organizing trade exhibitions, and a trustee of various charities.