Inca Apocalypse: The Spanish Conquest and the Transformation of the Andean World

The history of the contact between the Spanish and the natives on the American continent has been heavily colored by the conquerors. The Spanish had thought of their Christian culture as superior to others. They had recently expelled the Muslims from the Iberian peninsula and continued to use this righteous zeal in new areas. As part of these, they amplified the negatives of the others and the positives of themselves. Islamic society continued in other nearby parts of the world, so there are alternate historical sources to consider. In the new world, much of the historical record and oral traditions have been lost. Thus, the narrative of the conquerors dominates.

The Inca had a substantive civilization that was not without conflicts. The Spanish conquistadores were not among the noblest of people, yet they were able to conquer and rule. At times, the previous Inca aristocracy were given elevated positions, while at other times they were treated together with the rabble. There was intermarriage and adoption of Spanish norms. The result was a new civilization that differed from either before.

There was also a concept of "race" introduced with many justifications made. White Europeans were superior. The Inca were suited for certain tasks, especially when there was work to do at high elevations. Imported African slaves also had their role. The people of this combined society would later unite for their freedom from the Spanish.

I was hoping for more of a book about the history of the pre-Spanish Inca. This book, however, focussed on teasing out the details of the post contact experience. Many of the records we have were written many years after the fact, and colored by the current times when they were written. Trying to understand the true on-the-ground experience is challenging and has value. It was just not what I was looking for.