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Further Reading
Historical Narratives The Conquest of the Incas (John Hemming)   John Hemming's authorative masterpiece draws upon numerous historical documents and first-hand narratives to weave a lively and enjoyable account of the Spanish conquest of Peru.This book is essential reading for anyone planning to travel in Peru. It provides an excellent background to the conquest, covering the motives, hopes and fears of both the Spanish and the Incas. It cannot be recommended highly enough. Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk  Top of pageHistory of the Inca Empire (Father Bernabe Cobo)   "An Account of the Indians' Customs and Their Origin Together With a Treatise on Inca Legends, History and Social Institutions"Father Bernabe Cobo wrote this excellent history in 1653 from interviews with surviving members of the Inca Royal family and a number of 16th century manuscripts which have since been lost. The first half of the book concerns the supposed origins of the people and animals of Peru and is extremely revealing of 16th century Spanish attitudes to the Indians and religion in general. The second half of the book contains a superb summary of the lineage of the Inca rulers and their respective achievements, plus details on Inca customs and social structure. Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageNarrative of the Incas (Juan de Betanzos)  Juan De Betanzos wrote this excellent narrative for the King of Spain in 1557. His marriage to Dona Angelina Yupanque (one of Atahualpa's former "wives") and first-hand experience in the conquest make this book an informative and reliable read.Much of the book is devoted to the achievements of the 9th Inca, Pachacutic, and details his conquests of the surrounding Indian tribes, his organisation of the land, the creation of a structured society and the construction of Cuzco. There is also an excellent account of the civil war between Atahualpa and Huascar, outlining the various strategies employed by the Indians. Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageThe Last Conquistador (Stuart Stirling)  (Published January 2000)The Last Conquistador : Mansio Serra De Leguizamon and the Conquest of the Incas. Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageThe Discovery and Conquest of Peru (Pedro De Cieza De Leon)  Pedro de Cieza de Len (c. 1518-1555) was a soldier in Spain's royal forces who recorded the conquest of Peru."Dazzled by the sight of the vast treasure of gold and silver being unloaded at Seville's docks in 1537, a teenaged Pedro de Cieza de Len vowed to join the Spanish effort in the New World, become an explorer, and write what would become the earliest historical account of the conquest of Peru... this history of Peru is based largely on interviews with Cieza's conquistador compatriates, as well as with Indian informants knowledgeable of the Incan past." Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageThe History of the Conquest of Peru (William H. Prescott)  "Continuing the William H. Prescott histories of Spain's conquests in the New World, THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF PERU (1847) tells of Pizarro's expedition that led to domination of the Incas.""Prescott's works survive as great history and marvelously compelling literature." Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageTravel Literature Inca-Kola (Matthew Parris)  The funniest and most enjoyable narrative of trials and tribulations whilst travelling in Peru. Matthew Parris has an easy-to-read and unaffected style. The book is sometimes difficult to find in print these days but the effort is well worth it.Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageEight Feet in the Andes (Dervla Murphy)   This Andean narrative involves Dervla Murphy, her nine-year-old daughter Rachel and Juana, an elegant mule, who retraced the steps of the Spanish in their expedition from Cajamarca to Cuzco. An informative and interesting book, though Dervla Murphy's attitude is sometimes annoying.Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageTravel Guides Lonely Planet Guide to Peru (Rob Rachowiecki)  The definitive guide for anyone travelling to Peru. This is not list of "featured" (ie: sponsoring) hotels and restaurants like so many travel books, but a thorough, reliable and in-depth guide to history, culture, travel, accomodation and things to see. Highly recommended.Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageBackpacking and Trekking in Peru and Bolivia (Hilary Bradt)  (7th Edition - Published March 1999).Hilary Bradt's book provides information for a number of excellent treks not reported in any other travel guides. Detail is sometimes lacking where desired and there is an annoying habit of describing 15 minutes of walking in a whole paragraph and then (without any warning) the next 3 hours of walking in two sentences. Recommended nevertheless, though it should be read in conjunction with a good, scaled map of Peru. Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of pageOther The History of the Conquest of Mexico (William H. Prescott)  "William H. Prescott (1796-1859) wrote a number of vibrant and minutely researched histories of the Spanish-speaking world. THE HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO (1843) tells of the subjugation between 1519 and 1522 of the whole Aztec people by Cortes and his group of a few hundred soldiers."Buy it now at www.amazon.com or www.amazon.co.uk Top of page |
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