I absolutely love reading books about Latin American history. The fact that each event actually occurred makes them so much more interesting than your average fictional book.
Now, if you think that these are the kind of history books that you’d be assigned in a classroom, you’re wrong. These books are jam packed with epic battles, historic triumphs, personal failures, deadly diseases, and heart-wrenching betrayals.
For context, I’ve personally read all 7 of these books. I didn’t skim through them or read the CliffsNotes, I read each one in their entirety.
With that being said, let’s take a look at 7 incredible books about Latin American history.
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1. Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs
Conquistador tells the epic story of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, which took place between 1519 and 1521 in present-day Mexico. Author Buddy Levy does a masterful job of researching this historical event and telling the story with great accuracy.
This book goes into great detail about the military strategies that both the Spaniards and the Aztecs used in an attempt to defeat their enemy. Further, it examines the motivations of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and the hypocrisy behind his countless atrocities to the Aztec population.
The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire is one of the most fascinating true stories to ever come out of history, one which altered the world as we know it today.
Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, Kind Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs can be found here.
2. Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
Over the Edge of the World tells the equally epic story of the first circumnavigation of the globe, which took place between 1519 and 1522. Author Laurence Bergreen paints a vivid picture of the limits of navigation during that time period and the unbelievable journey that lead the surviving crew members across the entire world.
Although this book is technically European history, a good portion of it takes place in South America. You’ll read about starvation, mutiny, betrayal, death, and the discovery of a new ocean. Above all, the book highlights the courage of Ferdinand Magellan’s crew in their attempt to sail where no men had ever sailed before.
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe can be found here.
3. A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca
A Land So Strange tells the little known story of a Spanish expedition that became shipwrecked in Florida in 1527. Of the 300 men that washed up in Florida, only 4 survived to tell the tale of a harrowing 10 year journey across the United States and Mexico.
Throughout this journey, these 4 men endure more hardships than one could possibly imagine. They are conquistadors, slaves, and gods over the course of the book and this transformation is easily the most fascinating aspect of the story.
A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca can be found here.
4. The Last Days of the Incas
The Last Days of the Incas tells the incredible story of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, which took place between 1532 and 1572. Similar to Conquistador, this book is full of military strategy and epic battles.
While it’s difficult to say which of these two conquest books is inherently better, The Last Days of the Incas is perhaps the more impressive story. A group that originally consisted of 168 Spanish men eventually conquered an advanced civilization with a population of several million people.
What’s more, the conquest of the Inca Empire helped to establish Spain as a global superpower that would control most of Latin America until the early 19th century (more on that below).
The Last Days of the Incas can be found here.
5. River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon
River of Darkness tells the harrowing story of a group of Spaniards who ventured into the Amazon in 1541 in an attempt to locate the fabled El Dorado. Although El Dorado was never found, these Spaniards navigated the entire length of the Amazon River (4,000 miles) and made contact with numerous Amazonian tribes during their journey.
This book goes into great detail about the hardships of being stranded in the largest forest in the entire world. Throughout their battles with starvation, disease, and hostile Amazonians, these men show incredible fortitude and determination as they struggle to escape the depths of the Amazon rainforest.
River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana’s Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon can be found here.
6. Bolivar: American Liberator
Bolivar: American Liberator tells the heroic story of Simon Bolivar, the man who defeated the Spanish Empire and brought about the independence of Latin America in the early 19th century. If you look up the independence date of any Latin American country, you’ll see that they all occurred between 1810 and 1826, which is certainly no coincidence.
This book details the entire life of Simon Bolivar and the constant adversity he faced in his attempt to rid Latin America of Spanish tyranny. Over the course of his campaign for independence, he fought a staggering 472 battles and rode 76,428 miles on horseback, all of which is documented in this extraordinary book.
Bolivar: American Liberator can be found here.
7. Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua
Blood of Brothers is a firsthand account of Nicaragua’s revolution and subsequent civil war that lasted until the end of the 1980s. Author Stephen Kinzer was actually living in Nicaragua during most of this period and he traveled throughout the entire country to report on what was truly happening.
The book discusses the factors that lead to the rise of the Sandinistas, the overthrow of the Samoza regime, and the American intervention that lead to the bloody Contra War. Kinzer successfully exposes us to the diverse causes of this tragic event and to the thought processes of all those involved from Managua to Washington. There’s no doubt a lesson to be learned by Kinzer’s examination into the politics of war, one which came at the cost of thousands of Nicaraguan lives.
Blood of Brothers: Life and War in Nicaragua can be found here.
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Very good selection indeed! I will definitely read some of them when get a chance. It’s so different to read books about the history when you’ve been in the country and have already some knowledge – for me it makes it more special.
Right now I’m reading The open veins of Latin America, that’s also very interesting, can just recommend it.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Anna! I completely agree that history books are better/more relevant when you’ve actually visited the country. I’ll be sure to check out Open Veins of Latin America!
Some great reads in this list. I do need to step up my South American reading as I at present have read none of these. That withstanding I do enjoy non fiction and history. Time is very much the issue. Your top recommendation on Bolivar seems a good place to start
Yeah I agree it can be hard to carve out time to read a book but when you do have time these ones are definitely worth it!
I’ll have to look in to some of these. If not for the story ideas, then at least to learn more about a part of the world they don’t teach us enough about in school.
It’s a very fascinating part of the world. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this list! I love history period but am really interested in the Inca’s. A land so Strange sounds interesting too!!
That’s great to hear Kimberly! The Incas are very fascinating and so is the story of A Land So Strange. The 16th century was an action packed time period.
Great recommendations! They seem like great ways to travel to South America through stories 🙂
They really are! When I feel like going to South America I can always pick up one of these books and be there in an instant!
Will be picking up last days of the Inca! Headed to Peru as we speak! Thanks for the read 🙂
Hi Amy, I’m very happy to hear that. Last days of the Incas is a great book to read if you’re going to or have recently been to Peru!
Thanks for compiling these great recommendations. I might pick up Bolivar and the river of darkness. Great post!
You’re very welcome. Those are outstanding choices!
A land so strange sounds really interesting!! I am going to have to add that one to my Summer reading list!
Thanks for the comment Ashli, yes that one is unbelievable. It’s surprising that the story isn’t more well known!
Even though I have never read books of this genre, you made “The Last Days of the Incas” sound tempting. I may pick it up someday & for now am keeping it in my TBR list. Overall, this post was a good read with wonderful book reviews.
The Last Days of the Incas is fantastic! Thanks for the kind words.
It is interesting to learn about the history of the different regions throughout the world. In the last 500 years, so much has changed in South America. Thanks for sharing these favorite reads!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
Yes South America was completely different before European contact. Thanks for the comment Nancy!
I’ve never really read Latin American history but I find that part of the world pretty interesting. Might pick up a book or two from this list.
Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Shalvika
Believe it or not these are some of the best books I’ve ever read! Thanks for stopping by Shalvika!