The Inca Empire: The Formation and Disintegration of a Pre-Capitalist State

by Thomas C. Patterson

The last of the Andean civilizations, Inca society was the product of complex historical and social processes of class and state formation. This study examines the contradictions, tensions and conflicts these processes engendered and explores the involvement of Europeans in Andean life after the 1530s as it resulted in new forms of exploitation and repression.

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 1992

Reviews

[Matthias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating theoretical introduction, but the narrative substantiation is a bit rambling and doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

History through a political ideology. I guess it happens all the time but having the author outright say this is the lens through which this is written is a bit different. The history is all there and rushed through in 165 pages. Patterson uses probably more accurate spellings of Incan names which points to a level of detail that is appreciated while it also confuses since so many other books I've read use the more conventional spellings. I don't know how many of us, myself included, know how to pronounce many of these names properly. I always question authors' asserting certain motivations and internal struggles/dialogues when they cannot possibly be known. There are many aspects of culture that don't get transmitted in the archeological record and since the Spaniards did their darnd-est to erase all aspects of Incan culture, I question interpretations - of Patterson and all others who have written. It is not to say it is not worth exploring these ideas, just that more has to be said about the uncertainty. Not one of the better Incan history books I read and it assumes a lot of pre-existing knowledge of Incan history which is always problematic.