Peru is a country with a remarkable history--in the earliest times, the Incas managed to found a major civilization here, despite the region's environment, which is one of the harshest in the world. The Spanish colonial rule which folled this golden age exploited basic mineral resources in the area without bringing either stability or wealth to the existing population, and unfortunately, economic depression and civil war have frequently left their pockmarks on Peruvian history ever since. In this book, Klaren explores the country's long history, with particular emphasis on social and economic issues, from pre-Incan times to the present. Organized chronologically, the text also discusses the major themes of Peru's past, focusing not only on prominent figures, but on the daily lives of ordinary people as well.