Glory, Faith and Sorrow : The Epic History of Peru

The extraordinary history of a unique country and its diverse and resilient people, capturing the nation’s adventurous story from distant origins to the present day.

Peru’s story is written in stone and gold, triumph and tragedy. It is the history of a land blessed by the sun and cursed by ambition.

This is a vivid account of one of the world’s most significant yet least understood nations, from ancient times to today. Interweaving the stories of Peru’s three distinct geographical zones—the parched coast, the soaring Andes and the vast, near-impenetrable jungle—Olivier Hein uncovers the successive civilisations that forged the country’s unique identity. More than just a chronicle of emperors and battles, Glory, Faith and Sorrow brings to life the visionaries and warriors, the priests and rebels who shaped this extraordinary nation. He captures the dizzying rise of the Inca Empire, an unrivalled South American powerhouse whose architectural wonders rivalled Rome, only to be shattered by a handful of single-minded conquistadors. He explores the upheavals of Spanish colonialism, the protracted struggle for independence and the modern challenges of a country that emerged from a forceful cultural collision.

Glory, Faith and Sorrow is the long-awaited full story of Peru: an epic tale of survival, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people who have rebuilt their country upon the monumental ruins of the past.