The Last Days of the Incas,   ISBN:9780743260503

Customer Rating: 

When I saw this title I wondered why anyone would attempt a book that would compete with John Hemming's "Conquest of the Inca". I then realized "Conquest" is more than 50 years old. MacQuarrie's research is astonishingly complete with what must have been months if not years of 'feet on the ground' research. I thought myself pretty well versed on this period but was caught off guard by the amount of information that has surfaced since Hemming's work. It was like reading it for the first time. From Atahualpa to Manco Inca every twist and turn in this fascinating encounter with the Pizarros will keep your attention. MacQuarrie is now going on my short list of authors that I will read anything they commit to paper. An account of Hiram Bingham's search for Inca ruins at the end was a nice touch.

Customer Rating: 

Kim McQuarrie brings to life the inevitable destruction of the Incan Empire, which at its height ruled the Pacific coast of South America from modern day southern Ecuador to the northern jungles of modern day Chili. inland to the Amazon jungle, eastward to the central part of the continent of South America, most of which was centered in modern day Peru. The fact that the Spanish conquistadors subjugated and pillaged this area of hundreds of thousands of Incan ruled peasants with a force of approximately 300-700 hundred men, about 1/3 of whom were cavalry still amazes me. They used their superior military technology and cunning deceptions to convince the Incan Emperors that they were the offspring of the God of the Sun. The vast wealth of the Peruvian nation in silver and gold boggles the mind. Much of the wealth was stashed away by the emperors or used to decorate their temples to the Sun God. McQuarrie has thoroughly researched this book. Her descriptions of the countryside the way it would have been during this time period is remarkable. She describes the armaments of both sides with incredible detail, giving their purpose and capabilities to overcome the enemy. The narrative of the rebellion led by the last emperor of Inca and his incredibly creative top generals is compelling; I found myself saddened by the end result, which I knew was coming but was beginning to regret very much. Yet, she describes just as compellingly the heroic side of the conquistadors along with their avarice and greed making them come to life especially describing their great physical courage and bravery. McQuarrie combines attention to detail with great story telling ability to bring this final and sad period of Inca rule to robust life. She quotes extensively from period sources, weaving that information seamlessly into her narration. She also tells the tale of the search for and the eventual finding of the ruins of the Inca civilization including Machu Picchu and the last city of the Emperor. Unfortunately for writing this review, the disadvantage of not having the printed version of the book makes spelling of names of people and places nearly impossible, so I apologize for those details being left out.


Given that this is a book on CD I want to say that the narration is excellent. Norman Deitz has an expressive quality to his voice; his pronunciation of the Spanish and Incan names of people and places is rythmnic and almost noble.

Customer Rating: 

This book was excellent. It showed the greatness, the organization, the expertise of both the Incas and the Spanish coupled with their voracious striving, brute force, arrogance and failures. It offers a fair and honest description of both sides and is supported by quotes and footnotes from the people who were there, something I so love and appreciate in texts. MacQuarrie wrote this history with such a passion and sympathy for the people that it often reads like a fiction. (30 pages of notes and bibliography clearly shows that it is not fiction!) I found myself so invested in the story that I couldn't put the book down for long and longed for the line of Pachacuti to end in triumph - that is how good the writing is. Now that I have finished the book, I long to revisit Peru to see these sights with these fresh, vibrant images that MacQuarrie provides of the history. If you are looking for a rich, descriptive telling of the end of the Incan line, this is the book to get, hands down!!

Customer Rating: 

I found this to be an excellent read. Not at all what one expects from the bits and pieces we were "taught" in school. I had trouble putting it down as each new development keeps you riveted. I recommend it highly.

Customer Rating: 

I just purchased this book for my Kindle 2 and am very anxious to read it. The first 6 pages are The Chronology of Events, however, are not able to be read completely. The spacing is off. It appears that only two thirds of the text is visible. Even changing the font to the very smalest does not help. The rest of the text does seem to be complete.