Royal Commentaries of the Incas and General History of Peru

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book
Review: After visiting Peru this summer, I was compelled to learn more about the fascinating Inca culture. This book, which was written in the late 1500's by the son of a Spanish Conquistedor and Inca Princess is a priceless account of the rise and fall of the Inca empire. Written with the lyrical quality of reminiciant of Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, the book is a real page turner. The culture is full of prophecies that eventually, (and regrettably) came true, from the division of the empire by two brother kings to the eventual defeat and rape of the land by the Spanish. The Incas developed a magical culture, moving large stones and errecting beautiful cities without the use of horses or pullies, and passing stories of their past without the benefit of a written language. A must read for anyone interested in the native history of the Americas.

Rating:
Summary: This book is an actual testimony
Review: I'm very impressed reading his work and how he gives in full detail about the spanish inquisition. Although this book covers the not so flattering side of the spanish conquest in Peru, we finally get a glimpse on how a mestizo (his parents were incan and spanish royals) got the best of both worlds with all sincerity. It's really uncensored on the real life events at the time... really a must read. There should be a movie about this!