Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Preface; Prologue; Part I. Conquest and Empire: 1. A new world; 2. Conquerors and chroniclers; 3. The unarmed prophet; 4. The great debate; 5. Franciscan millenium; 6. The proconsul; 7. Andean pilgrim; 8. Jesuit triumphs; 9. History and myth; 10. The Catholic monarchy; 11. Tridentine prelate; Part II. Strangers in Their Own Land: 12. Inca humanist; 13. The Two Cities; 14. Creole patriots; 15. Annals of Ophir; 16. Mexican phoenix; 17. Western paradise; 18. Peruvian eclipse; 19. History and philosophy; 20. Jesuit patriots; Part III. Reconquest and Revolution: 21. The new state; 22. Erastian church; 23. Scientific traveller; 24. The great rebellion; 25. Liberals and patriots; 26. Insurgent creole; 27. Republican hero; 28. Civilisation and barbarism; 29. Mexican Leviathan; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Promotional Information

This book, designed and written on a grand scale, is about the quest over three centuries of Spaniards born in the New World to define their 'American' identity.

Reviews

'Such a short summary of a book elaborating over nearly 700 pages of finely printed text cannot hope to do it justice. Brading offers a study of impressive scope, rich content and suggestive argument, filled with incisive essays on all the major thinkers and commentators on colonial Spanish America ... it is a major addition to the historiography of the Hispanic world and will undoubtedly become a standard work of reference for anybody interested in the foundations of Hispanic American intellectual life.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'Brading offers a study of impressive scope, rich content and suggestive argument, ... it is a major addition to the historiography of the Hispanic world and will undoubtedly become a standard work of reference.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'Brading offers a study of impressive scope, rich content and suggestive argument, ... it is a major addition to the historiography of the Hispanic world and will undoubtedly become a standard work of reference.' Times Higher Education Supplement