It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A rollercoaster Read, 18 Jul 2007
Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Inca Empire was limited to a vague notion that they once had a great civilization that was quickly destroyed by a small bunch of Spaniards. I had no idea of the blood curdling drama that awaited me. Kim MacQuarrie's book is a riveting, thrill a minute tale written with such a skillful combination of elegant restraint and high stakes immediacy that I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and on some occasions, (like when Manco Inca first mobilized the Incas into rebellion to name but one example), I had to remind myself to exhale. Right up to the end, I was willing the Incas to prevail, all the while knowing that their days were numbered. The fact that all the issues it so painstakingly and beautifully brings to the surface are scarily relevant to today's world does the book no disservice either. Read it.

It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A rollercoaster Read, 18 Jul 2007
Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Inca Empire was limited to a vague notion that they once had a great civilization that was quickly destroyed by a small bunch of Spaniards. I had no idea of the blood curdling drama that awaited me. Kim MacQuarrie's book is a riveting, thrill a minute tale written with such a skillful combination of elegant restraint and high stakes immediacy that I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and on some occasions, (like when Manco Inca first mobilized the Incas into rebellion to name but one example), I had to remind myself to exhale. Right up to the end, I was willing the Incas to prevail, all the while knowing that their days were numbered. The fact that all the issues it so painstakingly and beautifully brings to the surface are scarily relevant to today's world does the book no disservice either. Read it.

Inspirational and fascinating, 11 Mar 2008
A bewitching and brilliant book from someone who clearly knows his subject in enormous depth and is able to communicate both his vision and passion. Anyone who has travelled in Peru in the seventies and eighties will be simply amazed at the discoveries that have been made SINCE then about these ancient cultures. Wonderfully easy to read.

It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A rollercoaster Read, 18 Jul 2007
Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Inca Empire was limited to a vague notion that they once had a great civilization that was quickly destroyed by a small bunch of Spaniards. I had no idea of the blood curdling drama that awaited me. Kim MacQuarrie's book is a riveting, thrill a minute tale written with such a skillful combination of elegant restraint and high stakes immediacy that I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and on some occasions, (like when Manco Inca first mobilized the Incas into rebellion to name but one example), I had to remind myself to exhale. Right up to the end, I was willing the Incas to prevail, all the while knowing that their days were numbered. The fact that all the issues it so painstakingly and beautifully brings to the surface are scarily relevant to today's world does the book no disservice either. Read it.

Inspirational and fascinating, 11 Mar 2008
A bewitching and brilliant book from someone who clearly knows his subject in enormous depth and is able to communicate both his vision and passion. Anyone who has travelled in Peru in the seventies and eighties will be simply amazed at the discoveries that have been made SINCE then about these ancient cultures. Wonderfully easy to read.

Best overview currently available, 01 Mar 2003
Incorporating much of the most recent research into Inca history and society, Terence D'Altroy's work is undoubtedly the best (and most readable!) of the serious introductory texts in the field. He covers the various aspects clearly and thoroughly, elucidating the complexities of the historical narrative, social organisation, and economic production, alongside information on ritual practice, accounting methods, architecture and geography. We are given a synthesis of modern research, together with an awareness of how much remains to be understood, such the _khipu_ rope-knotting techniques that the Incas used to record the movement of goods and transmit laws.

There is a wealth of black-and-white photographs and near-contemporary illustrations, and D'Altroy makes extensive, judicious use of both archaeological finds and written sources (native and Spanish) from the decades immediately after the Conquest. The slant is primarily historical, and while - as with any study of Andean history - anthropological theory enters the picture, this is rather less jargon-filled and abstract than the average ethnographic study, but instead shows awareness of historical change and social evolution.

Extremely useful.

It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A rollercoaster Read, 18 Jul 2007
Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Inca Empire was limited to a vague notion that they once had a great civilization that was quickly destroyed by a small bunch of Spaniards. I had no idea of the blood curdling drama that awaited me. Kim MacQuarrie's book is a riveting, thrill a minute tale written with such a skillful combination of elegant restraint and high stakes immediacy that I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and on some occasions, (like when Manco Inca first mobilized the Incas into rebellion to name but one example), I had to remind myself to exhale. Right up to the end, I was willing the Incas to prevail, all the while knowing that their days were numbered. The fact that all the issues it so painstakingly and beautifully brings to the surface are scarily relevant to today's world does the book no disservice either. Read it.

Inspirational and fascinating, 11 Mar 2008
A bewitching and brilliant book from someone who clearly knows his subject in enormous depth and is able to communicate both his vision and passion. Anyone who has travelled in Peru in the seventies and eighties will be simply amazed at the discoveries that have been made SINCE then about these ancient cultures. Wonderfully easy to read.

Best overview currently available, 01 Mar 2003
Incorporating much of the most recent research into Inca history and society, Terence D'Altroy's work is undoubtedly the best (and most readable!) of the serious introductory texts in the field. He covers the various aspects clearly and thoroughly, elucidating the complexities of the historical narrative, social organisation, and economic production, alongside information on ritual practice, accounting methods, architecture and geography. We are given a synthesis of modern research, together with an awareness of how much remains to be understood, such the _khipu_ rope-knotting techniques that the Incas used to record the movement of goods and transmit laws.

There is a wealth of black-and-white photographs and near-contemporary illustrations, and D'Altroy makes extensive, judicious use of both archaeological finds and written sources (native and Spanish) from the decades immediately after the Conquest. The slant is primarily historical, and while - as with any study of Andean history - anthropological theory enters the picture, this is rather less jargon-filled and abstract than the average ethnographic study, but instead shows awareness of historical change and social evolution.

Extremely useful.

Good Overview!, 15 Jan 2004
I found the book quite helpful while working in the Peruvian rainforest - it certainly is not complete and you are most likely to encounter other birds, mammals, insects and plants than those pictured in the book - but it gives you an idea of what to expect and what it could be. Biologist or people with a deep interest in species identification should try get a book on birds or mammals or what they are interested in but it is hard to get something at all or something small with lots of good and useful information. Therefore the Ecotraveller's Guide might not be perfect but it's a good help!

Deeply Disappointed, 24 Nov 2003
I was deeply disappointed with this book. It is split into two sections, the first being an overview of a species which goes into mimimal depth. These overviews just add weight and volume to the book.

The plates and pictures of the wildlife are good, but the book is not comprehensive. Common birds such as the orange cheeked parrot are missing. Another notable exception is the giant condor! I found that I could not rely on this book for species recognition once I discovered that it was not comprehensive.

It brings Machu Picchu and the Incas into your home, 05 May 2002
This book is ideal for anyone who is thinking about going to Peru. It is an amazing read about the uncovering of Machu Picchu for the first time and really gives you a wonderful feeling of awe. You almost feel like you are there. This has to be one of the best books I have read about the Incas/Mayas/Aztecs concerning the Spanish Invasion and the aftermath - normally they are from a Spanish point of view and boring. This book has found not only an interesting way to describe the background history to the search for the lost city, but also makes you feel a part of it. Th unfolding of the city and the way it is described as it was found almost keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think this book has been written so you find it hard to put it down and I can safely say it has worked.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure, 20 Oct 1997
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END

A thoroughly enjoyable read, 05 Dec 2007
I actually bought this book for my father who is planning a trip to Peru but on reading through the first few pages I was compelled to read it all and let my father wait for his present! I wouldn't normally be drawn to "history books" but rather than a factual account of the demise of the Incas, this historical novel really brings the events to life and really caught my imagination. My knowledge of the conquest of the Incas was limited before reading this book and I was fascinated to learn how such a small number of Spaniards, sanctioned by the Catholic church, overthrew a great civilisation in pursuit of gold and souls.
This book led to great discussions between my father and I once I finally gave him his present!
I would recommend this book not just to people interested in history in general or in the Incas but to anyone looking for a good read over the holidays for it's as gripping a drama as you'll get!

A Phenomenal Read, 21 Nov 2007
If you want to read about the conquest of the Incas, one of the two biggest epic stories in the Americas (the other being Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs, then you really only have two choices: John Hemming's The Conquest of the Incas, and Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas. Hemming's book was published in 1970, thus recent discoveries in Peru during the last four decades are missing--and a lot has happened. It is a very detailed book with lots of footnotes and research, however, it was written by an academic and is average in writing quality. There is thus no attempt in Hemming's book to bring the characters to life, or even to tell their full stories. MacQuarrie's book, on the other hand, was published in 2007 and thus is very up-to-date. You'll learn about recent and important discoveries in 1999 and 2001, how Machu Picchu figured into the conquest and was discovered, and so on. But what really sets it apart from any other book on Inca history is the writing quality. The Last Days of the Incas is really a phenomenal read, the best that I've come across, period. Not since William Prescott's The Conquest of Peru (published in 1847 and a big best seller in its time, but now very outdated) has anyone achieved what MacQuarrie has achieved, bringing the conquest of the Incas back to life. The Last Days of the Incas is not only well researched and up-to-date, but the book is an amazing page-turner. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. The author really succeeds in recreating Pizarro and his conquistadors and the various Inca emperors as full, three-dimensional characters. In sum, if you want to transport yourself in a time machine back to the 16th century in Peru and feel what it was like to be a participant in the sprawling epic that was the conquest of the Inca civilization, there's only one book to get: The Last Days of the Incas. Its a real tour de force.

A very enlightening Book, 19 Nov 2007
HIstorical Books were never my cup of tea but the Inca Empire has been in the news alot lately and I was curious to find out more about it hence I bought and read Last Days of the Incas. I was absolutely delighted I found it informative, interesting and easy to read which was great as I imagined books with this type of content would be heavy going. Kim Mac Quarrie's research was second to none and it has left me with the desire to go to Peru myself and see some of these sights

I couldn't put it down..., 25 Jul 2007
Planning my first trip to Peru I purchased a copy of "The Last Days of the Incas" after reading a review in the newspaper. I wasn't disappointed. Kim MacQuarrie's prose brings what is one of the most exciting stories that has ever occurred in the Americas to life in vivid and startling detail. Once I began reading the book, I literally was unable to put it down. Not only does "The Last Days of the Incas" bring the conquest to life, but it also includes chapters on the modern discoveries of Inca ruins in Peru, and also explains how Machu Picchu (a must see) fits into the history of the Inca Empire. This book does an amazing job of placing you at the heart of the conquest. Francisco Pizarro and his four brothers come completely to life as do a colorful assortment of other Inca and Spanish characters. You'll feel the sharp wind in the Andes whipping round your legs, the buzz of bullets from harquebusiers whizzing by your ears as you experience the valiant and brave efforts of the rebel Inca emperor, Manco Inca, struggle against all odds to hold onto his empire. If you are going on vacation to Peru or South America, or just want to experience an amazing and epic story first hand, then I can't recommend this book enough. Really extraordinary.

A rollercoaster Read, 18 Jul 2007
Before I read this book, my knowledge of the Inca Empire was limited to a vague notion that they once had a great civilization that was quickly destroyed by a small bunch of Spaniards. I had no idea of the blood curdling drama that awaited me. Kim MacQuarrie's book is a riveting, thrill a minute tale written with such a skillful combination of elegant restraint and high stakes immediacy that I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and on some occasions, (like when Manco Inca first mobilized the Incas into rebellion to name but one example), I had to remind myself to exhale. Right up to the end, I was willing the Incas to prevail, all the while knowing that their days were numbered. The fact that all the issues it so painstakingly and beautifully brings to the surface are scarily relevant to today's world does the book no disservice either. Read it.

Inspirational and fascinating, 11 Mar 2008
A bewitching and brilliant book from someone who clearly knows his subject in enormous depth and is able to communicate both his vision and passion. Anyone who has travelled in Peru in the seventies and eighties will be simply amazed at the discoveries that have been made SINCE then about these ancient cultures. Wonderfully easy to read.

Best overview currently available, 01 Mar 2003
Incorporating much of the most recent research into Inca history and society, Terence D'Altroy's work is undoubtedly the best (and most readable!) of the serious introductory texts in the field. He covers the various aspects clearly and thoroughly, elucidating the complexities of the historical narrative, social organisation, and economic production, alongside information on ritual practice, accounting methods, architecture and geography. We are given a synthesis of modern research, together with an awareness of how much remains to be understood, such the _khipu_ rope-knotting techniques that the Incas used to record the movement of goods and transmit laws.

There is a wealth of black-and-white photographs and near-contemporary illustrations, and D'Altroy makes extensive, judicious use of both archaeological finds and written sources (native and Spanish) from the decades immediately after the Conquest. The slant is primarily historical, and while - as with any study of Andean history - anthropological theory enters the picture, this is rather less jargon-filled and abstract than the average ethnographic study, but instead shows awareness of historical change and social evolution.

Extremely useful.

Good Overview!, 15 Jan 2004
I found the book quite helpful while working in the Peruvian rainforest - it certainly is not complete and you are most likely to encounter other birds, mammals, insects and plants than those pictured in the book - but it gives you an idea of what to expect and what it could be. Biologist or people with a deep interest in species identification should try get a book on birds or mammals or what they are interested in but it is hard to get something at all or something small with lots of good and useful information. Therefore the Ecotraveller's Guide might not be perfect but it's a good help!

Deeply Disappointed, 24 Nov 2003
I was deeply disappointed with this book. It is split into two sections, the first being an overview of a species which goes into mimimal depth. These overviews just add weight and volume to the book.

The plates and pictures of the wildlife are good, but the book is not comprehensive. Common birds such as the orange cheeked parrot are missing. Another notable exception is the giant condor! I found that I could not rely on this book for species recognition once I discovered that it was not comprehensive.

Intelligent Reader's Introduction to Peru, 31 May 2000
If you want to read about Peru, or to be an intelligent and informed visitor, this is an excellent introduction. It collects essays, folklore, poems, and newspaper articles to paint a word portrait of the country's history, culture and politics.

I used it to begin research for my next travel book!

This is a great book if you are intrested in Peru, 24 Oct 1998
This book tells about it all from all sorts of people from the conquiers to the Indeans plus the shing path and the Presedint