A classic work of history by the American historian William Hickling Prescott (1796-1859), first published in 1847. The book chronicles the epic story of the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire in the early 16th century, and the dramatic clash of civilizations that ensued. Prescott relied on an extensive array of primary sources, including contemporary accounts by Spanish and indigenous writers, to create a vivid and nuanced portrait of the people, places, and events of this pivotal chapter in world history. A masterpiece of literary and historical scholarship, and a must-read for anyone interested in the conquest of the Americas.

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