The Cities of the Ancient Andes (Hardcover)

by Adriana Von Hagen (Author), Craig Morris (Author), Adriana Von Hagen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The largest empire of pre-Columbian America was toppled in under a decade by a handful of Spanish invaders who looted the fabled riches of its greatest city, Cuzco, and severed its 15,000 mile system of roads. But this Inca empire was only the final link in a chain of urban development stretching back to 2500 B.C. How did cities evolve in the ancient Andes? What were they like to live and work in? Who built them, and how do we know? Here, the authors answer these questions and many more. 150 illustrations .

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; First Edition edition (March 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500050864
• ISBN-13: 978-0500050866
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #607,819 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #32 in	Books > Science > Archaeology > Pre-Columbian
  #75 in	Books > History > Ancient > Incan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview, July 21, 2000

By	Paul V Caetano (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

The authors provide a stimulating introduction to urbanism in the Precolumbian Andes. The only problem with this book was that it left me wanting more. Since the book covers the entire history of the Ancient Andes, it cannot devote much space to any specific city or civilization. Nevertheless, there is still more than enough to enthrall. At the start of each chapter on a civilization, there is always a short description of what life would have been like for some inhabitants of a city of that civilization. This provides some extra colour to the book though some technical readers might not appreciate it. My favourite portion was on Tiwanaku, the largest city of the altiplano around Lake Titicaca. The pictures and maps were excellent and greatly enhanced to the book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Back in college, May 9, 2000

By	R Johnson (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

The author of this book knows so much, it seems, he can't get it all into his book.

Without having a firm foundation in early Andean culture, I found this book challenging to digest. It moves through historical terminology at a mind-warping rate. On the other hand, after "stepping back" to read more basic books on the same subject, I realize I've gotten a strong platform of knowledge from Von Hagen. I recommend you read this book only if you plan to read others on the topic, too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short but excellent stories, April 30, 2007

By	jabathehunt "JBH" (Papendrecht, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Von Hagen first explains the definition of a city. Then in chronological order she starts telling about the pre-cities (monumental architecture) in Peru and the first cities. All is accompanied by beautiful photos and helpful maps. The stories of the cities are preceded with a tale "once upon a time" though in a very realistic manner. Next the city is explained When you visit Peru, and walk through the cities, this book will help you imagine how real life was in precolumbian times.