Description
General History of Chile
Book Summary
This work is the first volume of the monumental General History of Chile by Diego Barros Arana, one of the pillars of Chilean historiography. The reader will find an exhaustive and documented account that spans from the pre-Columbian origins of the territory to the final campaigns and the death of Pedro de Valdivia. The primary value of this edition lies in offering, in an accessible format, the erudition of a classic that laid the foundations for the modern study of Chilean history, based on decades of research in public and private archives.
What is it about?
Diego Barros Arana, aware of the limitations of the historiography of his time, undertook the titanic task of constructing a rigorous national history. This first volume delves into the origins of the country, exploring the cultures and societies that inhabited the territory before the arrival of the Spanish. It then narrates in detail the process of conquest, focusing on the figure of Pedro de Valdivia, his military campaigns, the founding of the first cities, and the conflicts with the native peoples, up to the tragic outcome of the conquistador's death. The work is distinguished by its meticulous use of documentary sources, which the author compiled over decades, offering a critical and well-founded vision of the events.
Main themes
- Pre-Columbian origins of Chile and characteristics of its native peoples.
- The process of Spanish conquest and the figure of Pedro de Valdivia.
- Military campaigns and Mapuche resistance during the 16th century.
- The founding of cities and the organization of the Chilean territory in the early colonial era.
- 19th-century historiographical methodology and the critical use of documentary sources.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for students and professionals of history, as well as readers interested in the history of Chile and Latin America. It is especially useful for those seeking a primary and fundamental source of Chilean historiography, written by one of its founding fathers. It is also recommended for those who wish to understand the origins of the country through an erudite and detailed analysis, far from simplifications.
What this book contributes
- Access to a classic and foundational work of Chilean historiography, based on exhaustive documentary research.
- A deep and contextualized understanding of the first centuries of Chile's history, from the pre-Columbian era to the death of Pedro de Valdivia.
- A critical and analytical perspective on events, the result of Diego Barros Arana's academic rigor.
- A solid foundation of knowledge for any subsequent study on the history of the country.
Technical specifications
- Author: Barros Arana, Diego
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: HISTORY
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: May 2025
- Number of pages: 468
- Weight: 170 g
Editorial review
This edition by Linkgua Ediciones recovers the first volume of Diego Barros Arana's magnum opus, offering the contemporary reader an indispensable classic. Its value lies in the author's erudition and the solidity of his research, which remains a mandatory reference. For the public interested in the history of Chile, it represents an opportunity to access a primary source of national historiographical thought, presented in a practical and accessible format.