A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies

by Las Casas, Bartolomé de; Griffin, Nigel; Griffin, Nigel; Pagden, Anthony

• ISBN13: 9780140445626
• ISBN10: 0140445625
• Additional ISBN(s): 9781539797722
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-11-03
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• More Book Details

About This Book

A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies

ISBN: 9780140445626

About This Book

"A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies" by Bartolomé de Las Casas is a powerful and poignant historical document that chronicles the atrocities committed by Spanish conquistadors in the New World during the 16th century. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the darker aspects of colonial history and the impact of European colonization on indigenous populations.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and educators in history, anthropology, and sociology courses, particularly those focusing on colonialism, Latin American studies, and human rights. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the historical context of Spanish colonialism and its lasting impact on global politics and social justice.

History and Editions

The first edition of "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies" was written by Bartolomé de Las Casas in 1542. The book has been translated and re-published several times, with the current edition being translated by Nigel Griffin and edited by Nigel Griffin. The 1992 edition, with an introduction by Anthony Pagden, is widely available and has been a cornerstone in historical literature for decades.

Author and Other Works

Bartolomé de Las Casas was a Spanish Dominican friar who was one of the first critics of Spanish colonialism. He was an early traveler to the Americas and sailed on one of Christopher Columbus's voyages. Las Casas dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples and was a fierce critic of the treatment they received at the hands of Spanish colonizers.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780140445626
• Other Editions:
• First Edition (1999): ISBN-13: 9780140445626 (same as paperback)
• Note: There are no other distinct ISBNs for different formats like hardcover or eTextbook available for this book.

Publication Details

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication Date: November 3, 1992
• Number of Pages: Varies by edition but typically around 200 pages.
• Language: English
• Item Weight: Not specified
• Dimensions: Not specified

Other Editions and Formats

While there are no other distinct ISBNs for different formats like hardcover or eTextbook, the book has been widely available in paperback and as part of various collections and anthologies focused on historical literature and colonial studies.

Related Information

This book is part of Penguin Classics, a series known for its authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors. It has contributed significantly to the understanding of Spanish colonialism and its impact on indigenous populations, shedding light on the darker aspects of human history.

By reading "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies," students and educators can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context that shaped modern societies and the ongoing struggles for human rights and social justice.

Author Biography

Bartolome de las Casas was born in Seville around 1484. At the age of eighteen he left for the New World, where he participated in the conquest of Cuba and witnessed the first full-scale massacre of an Indian community. He became a priest and entered the Dominican order. He dedicated himself to the protection and defence of the Indians.

Anthony Pagden teaches in the Department of History at John Hopkins University, Baltimore. He is the author of The Fall of Natural Man and Spanish Imperialism and the Political Imagination.

Nigel Griffin read modern languages at Oxford and was a Fellow of New College in the 1970s. He now concentrates on writing and translating and has worked for both the UN and the World Bank.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix	(1)
Map of America (1540)	x-xi	(1)
Introduction	xiii	(29)
A Note on Editions and on this Translation	xlii
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIES	3	(128)
Synopsis	3	(2)
Prologue	5	(4)
[Preface]	9	(5)
Hispaniola	14	(4)
The Kingdoms of Hispaniola	18	(8)
The Islands of Puerto Rico and Jamaica	26	(1)
Cuba	27	(4)
The Mainland	31	(6)
The Province of Nicaragua	37	(5)
New Spain	42	(3)
New Spain [continued]	45	(12)
The Province and Kingdom of Guatemala	57	(8)
New Spain, Pánuco and Jalisco	65	(6)
The Kingdom of Yucatán	71	(9)
The Province of Santa Marta	80	(5)
The Province of Cartagena	85	(1)
The Pearl Coast, Paria and Trinidad	86	(9)
The River Yuyaparí	95	(1)
The Kingdom of Venezuela	96	(6)
The Mainland in the Region Known as Florida	102	(3)
The River Plate	105	(2)
The Great Kingdoms and Provinces of Peru	107	(9)
The Kingdom of New Granada	116	(11)
[Conclusion]	127	(4)
Index	131