The First New Chronicle and Good Government, Abridged

by Felipe Guamán Poma de Ayala

David Frye's skillful translation and abridgment of Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala's monumental First New Chronicle and Good Government (composed between 1600-1616) offers an unprecedented glimpse into pre-colonial Inca society and culture, the Spanish conquest of Peru (1532-1572), and life under the corrupt Spanish colonial administration. An Introduction provides essential historical and cultural background and discusses the author's literary and linguistic innovations. Maps, a glossary of terms, and seventy-five of Guaman Poma's ink drawings are also included.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Spanish Literature, Politics, Latin American History

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1615

About the author

Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, also known as Huamán Poma or Wamán Poma, was a Quechua nobleman known for chronicling and denouncing the ill treatment of the natives of the Andes by the Spanish after their conquest. Today, Guamán Poma is noted for his illustrated chronicle, Nueva corónica y buen gobierno.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great original source by a 17th century Inca noble. The book is repetitive and awkwardly written but he is such a passionate and quirky leader of his people that I assigned it to my students in colonial Latin America this year. In the future I will assign a much smaller segment. The drawings really add a lot. He hates the Spanish influence on the Indians and their exploitation but sees the King of Spain as their legitimate monarch and is a devout Christian.

[Irina Mariposa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admiración y respeto por este indio compasivo y sincero q nos contó más de mi raza y de mi historia.

[Diego · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lo peor que he leído en mi vida. Espero que Felipe III mandara quemar a este hijo de puta.

[Gargoris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parece ser que en el mundo académico progre angloamericano (y, por la contaminación habitual entre las élites, también en el hispanoamericano), se ha extendido un lugar común consistente en contraponer al Inca Garcilaso y a Guamán Poma usando unos anacronismos fabulosos. Por simplificar: el primero sería un colaboracionista de los conquistadores españoles en la masacre indígena y el genocidio cultural americano y el segundo sería un guerrillero intelectual, indigenista y contestatario, enfrentado a los españoles, a la Iglesia y al capital. Bien, lean a Guaman Poma. Lean las más de mil trescientas páginas de su Primer nueva corónica y Buen Gobierno y luego juzguen. Es difícil encontrar una mentalidad más reaccionaria, misógina y racista, que abomina de los negros, de los mulatos, de los mestizos y de cualquier forma de mezcla como del demonio, que rechaza toda forma de movilidad social y cualquier innovación que pueda acabar con los privilegios de la nobleza inca y con el sometimiento de los indios pobres y obligados al pago de impuestos y prestaciones personales.
La lectura del libro merece el increíble esfuerzo que exige al lector contemporáneo solo para comprobar que el racismo no es un invento reciente de occidente, sino una tara genética que acompaña a la humanidad desde nuestra aparición como especie.

[Pía ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

idk, this is so good and bad at the same time

[Lena Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

Read for school, but I think this was better than most. Discusses the Spanish Conquest of Peru but also so much more. Guaman Poma delves into Ancient Inca civilization and traditions that were genuinely interesting to learn about. The way he wrote about the horrors of Spanish rule and oppression made my heart hurt and rage for the people there so so much. As a Christian myself, it was really interesting to see Poma's various Christian inserts and suggestions which were honestly really accurate.

[alayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

once again not really something that i think i'm qualified to rate. however, shoutout to how sassy he is, and how hilarious the guy marking up the book on the pdf i read online was. also STOP PAYING THE PRIESTS!! IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GO FULL BUDDHA IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE A PRIEST

[Saige Halstead · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting historically.
Arts one: different perspectives on labor between colonizers and the indigenous and how that affected their religious views after colonization. The illustrations added a lot to it as well. Very cool how it was written as a letter originally. A Plea for the People: Trying to Fight Forced Labor

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool indigenous writing from after the Spanish Conquest in Peru! Read about 200 pages for class.

[Alberto Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro debe ser la fuente principal para conocer más detalle de la última etapa Inca y la entrada a la época colonial peruana. Explica la vida diario del indio y los abusos que sufría de parte de

[FBIVan27 .Gov · Rating 3 out of 5]

hes a baddie icon

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una joya de libro, describe el Tahuantinsuyo de manera detallada, quien esté interesado en el tema podrá tener una buen compendio de información. Por ahorayo lo utilizaré para mi próximo trabajo.
RECOMENDADO.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most difficult and fascinating things I have ever read.

[Nellie K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting.