With startling speed; Spanish conquistadors invaded hundreds of Native American kingdoms; took over the mighty empires of the Aztecs and Incas; and initiated an unprecedented redistribution of the world's resources and balance of power. They changed the course of history; but the myth they established was even stranger than their real achievements. This Very Short Introduction deploys the latest scholarship to shatter and replace the traditional narrative. Chapters explore New World civilizations prior to the invasions; the genesis of conquistador culture on both sides of the Atlantic; the roles black Africans and Native Americans played; and the consequences of the invasions. The book reveals who the conquistadors were and what made their adventures possible.
#485972 in Books 2014-01-23 2014-01-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.00 x 1.50 x 10.00l; 1.80 #File Name: 0195377702528 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Major reader on genocideBy E. N. AndersonGenocide continues to be astonishingly neglected. There are dozens of books on the problems of the banks for every one on this appalling crime; which killed over 100;000;000 people in the last 100 years. The present reader should do a great deal to help--it is a huge; comprehensive; very well-selected set of readings that cover all aspects of genocide. It is notably better than previous readers on the subject. Many of the major authors are in here; as well as reporters; literary writers; historians and other observers. There are long sections on "courts" and judgments and on "cures." Most of the readings are short; but there is plenty of guidance for further reading. This book is a major achievement and should be on every historian's and political scientist's desk. I hope it will get more attention to a crime that is easily preventable--it has recently been prevented in several countries that were on the brink--but still happens; because the world community just isn't geared up to deal with it. We have to change; and I hope this book will be instrumental in that.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. tried and true; but stillBy Ryan ChiuThis is the go-to reader for those starting to engage in genocide studies. Why only three stars? All these articles are excerpts; which isn't necessarily a bad thing; except the excerpts sometimes feel like they do not portray the ideas that the original article or book is trying to convey.Nevertheless; an excellent place to start; just remember to clarify on the Internet if you are wondering what a particular author really meant.
