In Mirrors of Disaster, complete with a new introduction by the author, Chaliand narrates the major events that followed the Spanish conquest of Mexico and Peru with the scope and rhythm of an epic poem. He seeks to make meaningful the strict chronicle of a conquest through those who lived it. Human details and the broader political background bring to life one of historys great tragedies. Enriched by significant contemporary documents this work relates the many facets of the conquest, presenting the Indians perception of their defeat by the Spaniards, the conquerors narratives of the same events, and the authors own retelling of a tragedy in which, he says, "the vanquished could not, ultimately, but be vanquished."