There are lots of options if you want to read about Peru. And I read as many as I can get my hands on. The best ones delve into history, provide cultural lessons, and give thrilling trip ideas/inspiration. Let’s dive right into the best books to read for Peru.
Best Books to Read for Peru: My Recommendations
Culture
Yo No Soy tu Cholo
Yo No Soy tu Cholo by Marco Aviles goes deep into racism, identity, inequality, and their intersections in Peruvian society. He also relates them to his experience abroad (a native Peruvian, he lives in Maine, USA). It’s eye opening, thoughtful, and incredibly hard to put down.
This book is hard to find in English. But an excerpt can be found in this article.
History
A Kim MacQuarrie Book
Read either (or both!) of Life and Death in the Andes or Last Days of the Incas. I love this author, Kim MacQuarrie. His writing style, immense knowledge, and extraordinary research skills lead to gripping books that teach the reader.
Last Days of Incas is the best way to understand the Incas and Spanish of that time. It makes walking around Cusco an educational experience.
Actually the most fascinating aspect to me was how close the Incas were to winning the war, despite powerful factors working against them. This was something I never knew until reading Last Days.
Life & Death in the Andes, meanwhile, is my favorite book on South American history. MacQuarrie’s north-south trip stops at important sites from Colombia to Argentina, but more pages are dedicated to Peru than any other country. You’ll get a better understanding of Peruvian history and South America overall if you read it. Plus you’ll get some epic trip ideas.
Travel Inspiration
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
An inspiring decision leads to an epic story that weaves the three distinct but somehow connected histories of Manco Inca, Hiram Bingham, and the possibly very nerdy Mark Adams.
Adams goes on an epic trek in Cusco. There he follows footsteps of great explorer and leaders of the past, whose histories he relates to us. This book is fun, hilarious, and above all makes the reader want to follow Adams on their own adventure.
Following Ghosts in Northern Peru
Don Moore follows the footsteps of Northern Peru‘s little-known Moyobamba Route. Read this book to learn a ton of overlooked history and for cheeky anecdotes, many of which anyone who’s experienced culture shock will appreciate.
…And One Non-Recommendation
Inca Land by Hiram Bingham is on many “What Books to Read for Peru” lists. Bingham’s expedition to Machu Picchu and surrounding areas is inspiring, but the writing style is just too dry.
You can get a lot of information about Bingham from Turn Right at Machu Picchu, and there are plenty of resources on Machu Picchu itself. So I’d skip this one, unless you’re really interested in knowing minute details of the 1911 Machu Picchu expedition.
Conclusion
These books should get you ready for visiting Peru. And be sure to check out where you want to visit- starting with the South, Central, or North of Peru.
Thanks for reading!
