Andean Worlds: Indigenous History, Culture and Consciousness Under Spanish Rule, 1532-1825

This broadly gauged, synthetic study examines how the Spanish invasion of the Inca Empire (called Tawintinsuyu) in 1532 brought dramatic and irreversible transformations in traditional Andean modes of production, technology, politics, religion, culture, and social hierarchies. At the same time, Professor Andrien explains how the indigenous peoples merged these changes with their own political, socio-economic, and religious traditions. In this way European and indigenous life ways became intertwined, producing a new and constantly evolving hybrid colonial order in the Andes. After beginning with a study of Tawintinsuyu on the eve of the Spanish invasion, Andrien then presents the salient topics in Andean colonial history: the emergence of the colonial state; the colonial socio-economic order; indigenous culture and society; Spanish attempts to impose Roman Catholic orthodoxy; and Andean resistance, rebellion, and political consciousness. By drawing on his own research and the contributions from scholars in many disciplines, Kenneth J. Andrien offers a masterful interpretation of Andean colonial history, one of the most dynamic and creative fields in Latin American studies.

About the Author :
Kenneth J Andrien

Review :
""Andean Worlds" would serve as an excellent introduction to Andean colonial history and/or Indigenous culture, history, economics, and politics. This book would also be of interest to those interested in colonial studies more generally. . . . Few scholars are able to succesfully present this type of 'big picture' analysis of nearly three centuries of history but Andrien's book is intellectually stimulating while being both concise and readable." "Andrien does an excellent job of synthesizing the best original scholarship, while always bringing out the most interesting anecdotes and characters." "Andrien's "Andean Worlds" is an impressive synthetic work that integrates a vast amount of scholarship from all fields to give a comprehensive picture of the experiences of native Andeans under colonialism. The book is not only packed with information; it is clearly and elegantly written." "Kenneth J. Andrien's "Andean Worlds: Indigenous History, Culture and Consciousness under Spanish Rule, 1532-1825" is a well-written, accessible volume that traces the history of the Andean people and their culture before and during Spanish rule." ""Andean Worlds would serve as an excellent introduction to Andean colonial history and/or Indigenous culture, history, economics, and politics. This book would also be of interest to those interested in colonial studies more generally. . . Few scholars are able to succesfully present this type of "big picture" analysis of nearly three centuries of history but Andrien's book is intellectually stimulating while being both concise and readable."