Author Description
On 25 September 1513, a force of weary Spanish explorers cut through the forests of Panama and were confronted by an the Mar del Sur, or the Pacific Ocean. Six years later the Spaniards had established the town of Panama as a base from which to explore and exploit this unknown sea. It was the threshold of a vast expansion.The Conquest of the Incas, John Hemming's masterly and highly acclaimed account of one of the most exciting conquests known to history, has never been surpassed. 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.The 2012 e-book edition includes an extensive revision and update of the text, bibliography, notes and other end-material, to report the latest theories and discoveries. It also has a new appendix about recent finds of Inca ruins in Vilcabamba.A must-read book for anyone considering a trip to Peru or wanting to know more about the final days of the Inca empire.More information and illustrations available.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How did a small band of Spanish adventurers dismantle the vast and sophisticated Inca Empire over the course of four decades? John Hemming, a renowned explorer and historian, utilizes extensive archival research and archaeological findings to reconstruct the collapse of the Inca civilization. He argues that the conquest was a complex interaction of military force, political instability, and cultural misunderstanding, providing a comprehensive account of the period from the initial Spanish arrival to the final execution of the last Inca ruler.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed chronological account of the Spanish conquest of Peru from 1532 to 1572.
- Analysis of the internal political dynamics and civil wars within the Inca Empire.
- Examination of the resistance movements and the eventual fall of the neo-Inca state in Vilcabamba.
- Updated bibliography and notes reflecting modern archaeological discoveries.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the political and military history of the conquest rather than a broad anthropological survey of pre-conquest Inca daily life.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and historians widely regard this work as a foundational text for understanding the fall of the Inca Empire due to its rigorous research and narrative clarity. Experts frequently cite the book for its balanced perspective and its ability to synthesize complex historical events into a coherent, accessible format for both academics and general readers.
Page Count:
657
Publication Date:
1983-01-01
ISBN-10:
0140049606
ISBN-13:
9780140049602
History
American History
Exploration
Colonialism
Americas
Inca Empire
United States