Civilisations
( French - Civilizations - 2019 )
novel by Laurent Binet
translated by Sam Taylor
Published: Harvill Secker - hardback - 2021 ( UK )
ISBN: 1787302296 / 9781787302297
Farrar, Straus & Giroux - hardback - 2021 ( US )
ISBN: 0374600813 / 9780374600815
Harvill Secker - trade paperback - 2021 ( airport edition )
ISBN: 178730230X / 9781787302303
Vintage Digital - e-book - 2021 ( UK )
1473577098 / 9781473577091
ASiN: B08GSKRWVJ
Farrar, Straus & Giroux - e-book - 2021 ( US )
eISBN: 0374600821 / 9780374600822
ASIN: B08GSKRWVJ ( sic )
synopsis
In this alternate history Freydis is the leader of a band of Viking warriors who get as far as Panama. Nobody knows what became of them...
Five hundred years later, Christopher Columbus is sailing for the Americas, dreaming of gold and conquest. Even when captured by Incas, his faith in his superiority and his mission is unshaken.
Thirty years after that, Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, arrives in Europe. What does he find? The Spanish Inquisition, the Reformation, capitalism, the miracle of the printing press, endless warmongering between the ruling monarchies, and constant threat from the Turks.
But most of all, downtrodden populations ready for revolution. Fortunately, he has a recent guidebook to acquiring power - Machiavelli's The Prince. It turns out he is very good at it. So, the stage is set for a Europe ruled by Incas and, when the Aztecs arrive on the scene, for a great war that will change history forever.
awards
Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française 2019
( French - Civilizations - 2019 )
novel by Laurent Binet
translated by Sam Taylor
Published: Harvill Secker - hardback - 2021 ( UK )
ISBN: 1787302296 / 9781787302297
Farrar, Straus & Giroux - hardback - 2021 ( US )
ISBN: 0374600813 / 9780374600815
Harvill Secker - trade paperback - 2021 ( airport edition )
ISBN: 178730230X / 9781787302303
Vintage Digital - e-book - 2021 ( UK )
1473577098 / 9781473577091
ASiN: B08GSKRWVJ
Farrar, Straus & Giroux - e-book - 2021 ( US )
eISBN: 0374600821 / 9780374600822
ASIN: B08GSKRWVJ ( sic )
synopsis
In this alternate history Freydis is the leader of a band of Viking warriors who get as far as Panama. Nobody knows what became of them...
Five hundred years later, Christopher Columbus is sailing for the Americas, dreaming of gold and conquest. Even when captured by Incas, his faith in his superiority and his mission is unshaken.
Thirty years after that, Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, arrives in Europe. What does he find? The Spanish Inquisition, the Reformation, capitalism, the miracle of the printing press, endless warmongering between the ruling monarchies, and constant threat from the Turks.
But most of all, downtrodden populations ready for revolution. Fortunately, he has a recent guidebook to acquiring power - Machiavelli's The Prince. It turns out he is very good at it. So, the stage is set for a Europe ruled by Incas and, when the Aztecs arrive on the scene, for a great war that will change history forever.
awards
Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française 2019