Book Review: A Brief History of the Incas by Brien Foerster
Submitted by Runemage on Thursday, 14 October 2010 Page Views: 8057
ReviewsCountry: Peru
He presents the leading characters on both sides with enough detail so the reader can empathise and see why they made the decisions they did and how the unthinkable happened.
I was absolutely astounded at the way an ambitious swineherd from Spain with a small band of followers, outnumbered as they were by around a thousand to one, breezed into Peru and destroyed the fine Inca civilisation, ironically helped by the Inca's own outstanding communication systems. The Inca’s roads and rope bridges across the hostile terrain coupled with the adoption of a national language so that diverse conquered tribes could communicate with each other, made for a society that had absolute obedience to their ruler. All of those good traits contributed to their downfall along with a fair helping of deceit and sheer luck on the side of the Spanish.
In 1589, the last of the surviving conquerors of Peru wrote this about the Inca and the society they first encountered. “We found these kingdoms in such good order (upon our arrival) and the said Incas governed them in such wise manner that throughout them there was not a thief, nor a vicious man, nor an adultress, nor was a bad woman admitted among them, nor were there immoral people. The men had honest and useful occupations. The lands, forests, mines, pastures, houses and all kinds of products were regulated and distributed in such sort that each one knew his property without any other person seizing it or occupying it, nor were there law suits respecting it…the motive which obliges me to make this statement is the discharge of my conscience, as I find myself guilty. For we have destroyed by our evil example, the people who had such a government as was enjoyed by these natives.
They were so free from the committal of crimes or excesses, as well men and women, that the Indian who had 100,000 pesos worth of gold or silver in his house, left it open merely placing a small stick against the door, as a sign that its master was out. With that, according to their custom, no one could enter or take anything that was there. When they saw that we put locks and keys on our doors, they supposed that it was from fear of them, that they might not kill us, but not because they believed that anyone would steal the property of another. So when they found that we had thieves among us, and men who sought to make their daughters to commit sin, they despised us."
'A Brief History of the Incas' was originally written as a background information book for the people going on the author’s guided tours, it soon became obvious that there is nothing comparable in its genre, so he is looking to widen its circulation.
If heading off on the Inca Trail appeals to you as a burning desire or an armchair ambition, this little book will enhance your travels whether real or virtual and it will make your journey a much richer experience.
Review by Runemage
130 pages including illustrationsA Brief History of the Incas
From Rise, through Reign to Ruin
By Brien Foerster
Price $12.50 US plus $5 for shipping in North America, $7 for overseas customers.
Available from our Online Shop or from Hidden Inca Tours
Read the first 20 pages for free
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.