Customer Reviews
I couldn't put it down! - By: Claire Robins, 23 Apr 2007 
I bought this book, hoping to find out something about Peru without it sounding like a guidebook. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. It went everywhere with me, to read in my lunch hour, on buses, even in queues in shops! It is a tale of 4 men's journey through peru - what happens to them & where they visit. The book tells you about the people of Peru & the lesser known places to go (and how to get there!), rather than the "guidebook" go here, do that... approach. I loved every page of it & I was reallly quite dissappointed when I realised that I had come to the end of the book. I will definitely be keeping it & reading it again.
Very enjoyable account of travelling in Peru in the 80s - By: James Christie, 02 Mar 2007 Initiallly I was reluctant to buy this book because I was looking for books about contemporary Peru when I first went there in 1997. Inca Kola was written in the late 80s, when Peru was on the verge of collapsing into chaos & civil war, & the political situation was completely different from now or even the late 90s. I thought a book from the 80s would be hopelessly dated.
However, I eventuallly bought it after my third trip to Peru, & found it to be a delightful account of visiting a country I'd come to know a little, & love a lot.
Yes, some things have changed dramaticallly since Parris's trip. The political & security situation is far, far better, but serious poverty, inequality & racism remain. So much of what Parris writes about is instantly recognisable. Peruvian culture won't change in a hurry & neither will the people - warm, incredibly hospitable & nosy, utterly cavalier & irresponsible in dealing with regulations & authority.
Much of Parris's book is timeless, & most of the rest is a fascinating account of visiting Peru at a time when no sensible tourists wanted to go there. It's a delight to read.
Good read - but a bit out of date - By: Ulrik Groenborg, 11 Jul 2004 
I brought "Inca Kola: A Traveller's Tale of Peru" with me to Peru this summer.
The book is well-written & a good read, as the other reviewers have written. However, I found the book a bit outdated - it is (almost) 15 years ago, Mr Parris visited Peru, & the country has come a long way since. Especiallly in the last decade.
This does not make the book bad per se - it is still OK.
I recommed the book "The Gringo Trail" as an better, new, alternative read. It covers more countries than "just" Peru, but is just as witty & thought-provoking.
Or you can do like me, & buy them both;-)
Awe inspiring... - By: Marc Wright, 16 Mar 2004 'Inca Kola' is an infusion of fascinating description & humour. You find yourself travelling alongside Matthew Parris & his companions as you become immersed in this exhilarating traveller's tale.
I found myself so absorbed in Parris' journey, that I am inspired to travel around Peru myself. One of the most enchanting stories i've had the pleasure of reading.
Brilliant. Thought provoking and funny too. - By: daisyrock, 21 Aug 2003 
What a life this man has had! This great little book is jam packed full of travel genre scrapes & adventures, historical & cultural insights & bizarre recollections from the author. A wonderful read.
