Narrative of the Incas [Paperback]

Juan de Betanzos (Author), Dana Buchanan (Editor), Roland Hamilton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996 | ISBN-10: 0292755597 | ISBN-13: 978-0292755598 | Edition: First Edition

One of the earliest chronicles of the Inca empire was written in the 1550s by Juan de Betanzos. Although scholars have long known of this work, only eighteen chapters were actually available until the 1980s when the remaining sixty-four chapters were discovered in the collection of the Fundación Bartolomé March in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Narrative of the Incas presents the first complete English translation of the original manuscript of this key document. Although written by a Spaniard, it presents an authentic Inca worldview, drawn from the personal experiences and oral traditions told to Betanzos by his Inca wife, Doña Angelina, and other members of her aristocratic family who lived during the reigns of the last Inca rulers, Huayna Capac Huascar and Atahualpa. Betanzos wrote a history of the Inca empire that focuses on the major rulers and the contributions each one made to the growth of the empire and of Inca culture. Filled with new insights into Inca politics, marriage, laws, the calendar, warfare, and other matters, Narrative of the Incas is essential reading for everyone interested in this ancient civilization.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

De Betanzos, an interpreter who married the Inca princess Dona Angelina Yupanqui, was a little-known contemporary recorder of Peru's Incan heritage. His narrative of the Incas begins with Viracocha's peopling of the world and continues to the Spanish conquest. For over 400 years, de Betanzos's work was known only in an 18-chapter fragment, but recently the translators of this volume have discovered the complete manuscript. Their translation and compilation of several old variants provides the most accurate and intelligible version available of de Betanzos's narrative. As a literal translation of a 16th-century manuscript, and even with punctuation inserted to improve its readability, it retains a long-winded quality characteristic of Spanish from that era. This translation is a triumph of historical scholarship and a treasure for scholars, but it isn't likely to hold the interest of the average reader. Recommended for academic libraries only.?Ken St. Andre, Phoenix P.L.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

For over 400 years, de Betanzos's work was known only in an 18-chapter fragment, but recently the translators of this volume have discovered the complete manuscript. Their translation and compilation of several old variants provides the most accurate and intelligible version available of de Betanzos's narrative. . . . This translation is a triumph of historical scholarship and a treasure for scholars . . . (Library Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; First Edition edition (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292755597
• ISBN-13: 978-0292755598
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #903,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History and Conquest of Peru from Inca point of view., April 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Narrative of the Incas (Paperback)

Account translated from a manuscript that was only discovered in the 80's. It records the descent of the Incas from the creation of the world through the conquest by the Spaniards. The focus is kept on the Inca's (kings) and their ceremonies and conquests from one of their descendents (whom the author used as his source), who also lived through the conquest. This is a good book to read after reading Discovery and Conquest of Peru, recently published, since you get behind the thoughts of the Spanish in the one and the Incas in the other. In this case we get those first impressions the natives had when they first encountered the Spanish and their horses. Contains maps, illustrations, and glossary.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful to Read, September 9, 2008

By 

Richard4286 "Richard4286" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative of the Incas (Paperback)

I recently finished reading "Narrative of the Incas" and found it one of the most fascinating books in years. Having read "1491 - New Revelations Americas Before Columbus"
http://www.amazon.com/1491-Revelations-Americas-Before-Columbus/dp/1400032059/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220994331&sr=1-1
also a good read, I picked this up somewhat by accident. It reads almost like a mystery novel or fairy tale, covering how the Incas tell of their development from a nomadic tribe into the regional powerhouse. It is a sad read, knowing how it is going to end when the Spanish arrive. It gives the reader insight into what a portion of the Americas looked like before the Spanish arrived - their economic surplus, enginnering abilities, war, politics and religion. I highly recommend it.