Shaky Colonialism

""Shaky Colonialism "is a superior work of scholarship. Charles F. Walker uses a dramatic incident and its aftermath to present a very intelligent analysis of baroque colonialism and its halting transformation into the Enlightenment-inspired absolutism of the Bourbons. He balances human drama and color to pull the reader into a very serious analysis of colonial society."--Peter Guardino, author of "The Time of Liberty: Popular Political Culture in Oaxaca, 1750-1850 ""The devastating Lima earthquake of 1746 set off huge social and political shock waves in all directions. Charles F. Walker's beautifully written analysis of 'great balls of fire' and wandering nuns, enlightened reformers, and real and imaginary rebels shows a colonial city deeply at odds with itself--well before the notorious crises of the late eighteenth century."--Kathryn Burns, author of "Colonial Habits: Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru"