The Incredible Incas and Their Timeless Land

by Loren McIntyre

Before Spaniards began probing the Pacific Coast of South America early in the 1500's, the Lord Oracle "Apu-Rimac" is said to have fortold the coming of the bearded men whom would subvert the Inca Empire. Loren McIntyre tells the story of the Inca prehistory to today, exploring their culture, heritage, ethnicity, food, architecture, religion, art, textiles and so much more. Gold to the Incas, was the sweat of the sun and silver was the tears of the moon. Their wealth and culture grew...gold would be the undoing of the Incas for it excited the greed of the Spaniards. This is a good basic book about all that is the Inca culture from ancestors to descendents, complete with a pronounciation guide located on the back page, this is exciting reading, illustrated with stunning photographs.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Reference

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a basic level introductory National Geographic Society publication about the Inca and moreso modern-day Peru (or at least at the time of publication, 1975). The book informed the reader on many topics that were all woven together: history, geography, animal life and wildlife vegetation, rivers and mountains, and more. Throughout the book there were many photographs, pictures, maps, aerial photos, and artwork reflecting the Inca and Peru.

The majority of the narrative was a detailed history of the Inca before and after the coming of the Spaniards. This included their religion and society, farming, city building and architecture, indigenous warfare with neighboring tribes, and the first interactions with the Invaders from an Alien World, the Spaniards.

This was a good surface level read on the subject. I would recommend this as a good primer for someone new to this topic. Thanks!

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the feeling of finishing a book that has been on my physical TBR for years!!

This book was a good enough read but it did not blow me out of the water. It was published in the 70s and a lot of the language (and some information) is outdated. I think the writing and the structure of the book were okay. What I enjoy most about these National Geographic publications are the visual aids. Great illustrations, pictures, and artifacts.

This might be a bit odd to say but y'all know back in the day before smartphones when people would read magazines in the restroom? Yeah? Cool. This is the perfect type of book for that occasion.

[V]

An interesting time period to think about in this age while we are reminded once more of the prominence that disease has played in human history. This particular book doesn't focus too much on the epidemic that made it possible for the Spanish to so easily conquer the western edge of South America, however.

I knew that I didn't know much about Native American cultures in this region of the world, but I didn't realize that I was just as ignorant of Spanish culture of this era. Many of the conquistadors were illiterate and illegitimate. They were from poor regions of Spain and saw the New World as their only chance to improve their lot in life. But most of them were absolutely brutal to the Natives they encountered. The Spanish crown and the Church both tried to rein in the abuse of conquered people, but with their authority so far away they were ultimately unable to prevent any harm. The Spanish crown was particularly concerned with the treatment of disposed Inca emperors, and viewed their execution as regicide. They were mistrustful of any men who would so eagerly kill a king, even it was to ostensively help Spain conquer new lands.

The figure I was most interested in was Hernando Pizarro, the younger brother of the more famous Francisco Pizarro. Unlike his brothers, Hernando was born within wedlock and raised in court. Because of this, he served as an intermediary between the interest of the king and the conquistadors. He was a brave adventurer, but equally a charming nobleman who was able to pal around with hostage Inca emperors. Hernando trusted his friend, the puppet emperor Manco, to leave Cuzco to perform a religious ceremony and return to the city, but instead the puppet cut his strings and tried to retake Inca lands from the Spanish. Hernando's proximity to nobility seems to have increased his sensitivity to the treatment of foreign royals. His lapse in judgement lead to a nine year uprising that left hundreds of Spaniards, and even more of their anti-Inca Indian allies, dead. Hollywood, if you're listening, this is a movie I want to see.

[Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the ilustrations.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative, visually engaging National Geographic volume.

[pjr8888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

copyright 1975, fifth printing, 1986