First published 1552
Bartolomé de Las Casas travels to the Americas on one of Columbus's voyages, expecting to witness the spread of Christianity to new lands. Instead, he encounters wholesale slaughter of Indigenous communities by Spanish conquistadors. The mass torture, slavery, and genocide he observes transforms him from colonist to fierce advocate. Las Casas dedicates his life to defending Indian rights and documenting the atrocities in vivid detail. Writing in 1542, he compiles a shocking account of systematic destruction that contradicts the evangelizing mission Columbus originally envisioned. Las Casas addresses his urgent plea directly to Philip II, demanding the Spanish Crown recognize Indigenous peoples deserve basic human rights. His passionate testimony exposes how conquest devolved into brutality, challenging the very foundations of Spanish colonial rule.
Genres: biography, activism, academic, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-drama, social-justice
Setting: Americas, Spain
Period: 16th Century
186 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics
Content warnings: colonialism, slavery, violence