Uncover the History of the Incan Empire with Kim MacQuarrie's 'The Last Days of the Incas'

Diamonds: 3/4-rds of the book tells the cruel story of the Spanish invasion and conquering of natives, quoting often historic accounts. The remainder of the book summarizes the state of Archeological findings and assessments of Machu Pichu, Vilcabamba, etc., and de-bunks many of the myths that have been thrown into the world over the last century or so, also and mainly by the very people that were the explorers to put these places on a global map. Preparing for a trip to visit Peru, especially the latter part is very useful , and the history preceding it makes sure you don't have any illusions left as to what went down there. Reading the historic accounts makes you eyes roll time after time, and in a certain way, everything becomes almost predictable in the way that intrigues and infighting results in more deaths and division every time. You keep rooting for the natives, but you know the outcome, and it still is hard to believe from the words printed on these pages that the sheer numbers of natives vs the relatively minor Spaniards weren't able to win this fight. It's a shame in every way. But regardless, the attempt here are putting together a history based on various accounts is...

United States on Jan 22, 2024

Keith Hansen: This book is a well-written, popular history surrounding the mostly unknown but immoral treachery by the Conquistadors over the young Incan empire and the immediate events surrounding it, including a Conquistador civil war and a long Incan guerrilla insurgency. However, I found the epilogue of the book about the 20th century discovery of Vilcabamba - last of the Incan capitals - to be dull and unnecessary.

The book was enthralling and reads like a novel. However, I would have preferred a bit more of an academic treatment as it was unclear how such a small band of rapacious adventurers managed to hold together a sprawling empire even while fighting amongst themselves. I also found the great siege of Cuzco to be anti-climatic with insufficient explanation of how the Conquistadors managed to survive what should have been annihilation.

As for the Pizarro brothers - they were rogues and despicable people not worthy of any respect, although Francisco may have been the least roguish of the lot. The treachery, greed, and mercilessness was hard to read. However, it should be remembered that these men should not be considered representative of all Spaniards at that time,...

United States on Dec 28, 2023

eric tan: Kim MacQuarrie's book brings this historically fascinating event to life, not just from accounts of the Spaniards but also from local accounts. It has filled a long-vacant gap in my appreciation for the history of South America. Amazon has ensued speedy and immaculate delivery.

Singapore on Dec 20, 2020

markr: One of the most fascinating books I have ever read. The writing is so good that you almost forget that you are reading history and that the ending won't change, no matter how much you want the Inca insurrection against the Spanish invaders/occupiers to succeed. I learned so much about the Inca civilisation from reading this book, and also came to understand how a few well armed conquistadors, bent to the point of obsession on looting gold, and peddling their religion to justify their thieving, raping and pillaging, were able to overcome a vastly larger and well ordered society. I had no idea until i read this book of the bravery and determination of the Inca resistance, nor indeed of the barbarity of their conquerors.

Concluding with a good overview of more recent events including the discovery of Machu Picchu in 1911, and of the rainforest city of Vilcabamba in the 1960s, this is essential reading for anyone hoping to visit Peru, or who has an interest in the history of South America and/or Spain.

Highly recommended history writing at its finest

United Kingdom on Jun 25, 2018

siddharth: A history book that reads like a superb thriller. The material is well researched and extremely interesting in itself. But Kim Macquarrie gives it that extra magic which keeps you at the edge of your seat anticipating the next twist in the complex dance between the Incas and the Spanish

India on Mar 24, 2017

Rafael: Um excelente livro para quem tem interesse de conhecer a história do império Inca e como ocorreu seu declínio.
Autor foi fantástico neste livro

Brazil on Aug 04, 2016

Jeanette: I don't normally like history books. But this is a huge exception. I loved this book! I couldn't put it down!
I've visited Ecuador and Peru and I feel terrible now that I didn't appreciate the sites that I saw. I wish I'd read this book before I went. Now, I want to go back and walk in the steps of the Inca rulers and Spanish invaders. I want to see every battleground and hold with the book open in my hands as I travel from site to site.
Apart from bringing these historical characters to life, MacQuarrie also brings the story to modern day. The epilogue was useful to relating the old place names to the villages and sites we'd find on a modern map.

Canada on Apr 04, 2016

doc peterson: The Spanish proverb, "He who has more, wants more" could not be more apt for the Spanish conquest and occupation of South America, especially regarding their usurpation of the Incas. MacQuarrie does a truly outstanding job of describing the decades-long struggle for control of western South America, the only significant drawback being his inclusion of the modern archaeloglical competition (and conflict) over the discovery of "lost" Incan ruins.

It is a compelling story. Francisco Pizarro arrived in South America with a mere handful of men (168 soldiers, 62 on horseback), "seeking a way around one of life's basic rules ... In Peru, as elsewhere in the Americas, Spaniards were not looking for fertile land that they could farm, they were looking for the cessatin of their own need to perform manual labor." In this respect, Pizarro and his men became successful beyond their wildest imaginings. This is not to suggest that the Incas easily gave up and went gently into that good night - far from it. For fourty years the Inca tenaciously and heroically fought back before eventually capitulating. MacQuarrie is not a historian, yet he has meticulously researched and cited his sources...

United States on Aug 10, 2012