Life among the Inca

Children's Literature

In a forward to this title, the publisher describes the purpose of the series, "The Way People Live," as aiming to examine cultures so readers will notice both similarities and differences in their own cultures by looking at how people live. The Inca culture and its demise makes for fascinating reading, from its orderliness to the talents and customs of these high Andes people. In a summary format, this text provides selected details about the structure, daily life, religion, working life, army life and so forth of the Inca Empire. Citations from important works, some regarded as primary, are footnoted and described in chapter notes at the end. Having studied the Inca Empire extensively, this reviewer finds the selection of information presented to be clear and useful, although an occasional comparison to present-day life raises questions—for example, comparing Inca afterlife beliefs to heaven and hell. Readers will not find here the details of how the Empire ended, which may be covered in the author's earlier book, The Inca. The black-and-white photographs are somewhat disappointing, knowing the rich resources available on this subject. This book will serve as a good resource book for basic information and can be supplemented with the "Further Reading" list and websites provided. A detailed index is included. 2004, Thomson Gale/Lucent Books, Ages 10 up.
—Elaine Wick