Description
General History of Chile II
Book Summary
This second volume of Diego Barros Arana's monumental work continues the chronicle of Chile's history from a critical and well-documented perspective. The reader will find a detailed analysis of the period spanning from the "Headless Government" (Gobierno Acéfalo) that began in 1554, to the year 1580, including the appearance of the privateer Francis Drake. The work offers a rigorous reconstruction of the early years of the colony, based on public and private archives that the author compiled over decades, providing a deep insight into the political, social, and military challenges that shaped the country's development.
What is it about?
Diego Barros Arana, considered one of the fathers of Chilean historiography, dedicates this volume to a crucial and turbulent period of the Captaincy General of Chile. The narrative begins with the so-called "Headless Government," a period of transition and power vacuum following the governor's death, and extends to the year 1580. During these years, the chronicle focuses on the difficulties of colonial administration, conflicts with indigenous peoples, internal struggles among the conquistadors, and external threats, such as the arrival of English privateers. The author does not merely list events but analyzes them critically, seeking the causes and consequences of each, with the goal of filling the historiographical gaps he perceived in his time. This volume is, therefore, a fundamental piece for understanding the formation of Chilean identity and social structure during the 16th century.
Main themes
- Analysis of the "Headless Government" in Chile and its political and administrative consequences.
- The Arauco War and the relations between the Spanish colony and the Mapuche people.
- Colonial administration during the 16th century, its crises, and key figures.
- The threat of piracy and the arrival of Francis Drake on the Chilean coast.
- Historical reconstruction based on original documentary sources from public and private archives.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for history students and professionals, researchers, academics, and any reader with a deep interest in the history of Chile and Latin America. It is especially suitable for those seeking a primary source of reference, written with methodological rigor and a critical approach, far removed from simplified narratives. It will also be of great value to collectors of classic works of Hispanic American historiography.
What this book offers
- Access to one of the foundational works of Chilean historiography, written by its most emblematic author.
- A detailed and critical analysis of a complex historical period, based on original documentation from the era.
- An understanding of the roots of Chile's political and social structures through the study of its first centuries of formation.
- A unique perspective that combines the historian's rigor with the passion of a researcher who dedicated his life to the reconstruction of the national past.
Technical specifications
- Author: Barros Arana, Diego
- Publisher: LINKGUA EDICIONES
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: TBD COLLECTION
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2010
- Number of pages: 500
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial assessment
This second volume of Diego Barros Arana's *General History of Chile* stands as an indispensable tool for the serious study of Chilean history. Its value lies in the author's meticulous archival work and his critical approach, which sought to overcome the limitations of the historiography of his time. Although it is a classic 19th-century work, its analytical depth and documentary basis keep it relevant as a reference for specialists. It is a paperback edition that facilitates consultation, ideal for those who wish to own a piece of this fundamental intellectual legacy.