A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies: Or, a faithful NARRATIVE OF THE Horrid and Unexampled Massacres, Butcheries, and all manner of Cruelties, that Hell and Malice could invent, committed by the Popish Spanish Party on the inha

Lion's Mark Library edition.

The stark pronouncements within these pages are difficult to encounter, even at a remove of centuries. *A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies* is not a comfortable read, but it is a necessary one, a testament to the enduring capacity for human cruelty and a vital reminder of the consequences of unchecked power. Its continued relevance speaks to the persistence of injustice and the importance of bearing witness to suffering, even when that suffering is born of ideologies and ambitions long past. This edition offers a window into a world grappling with the brutal realities of colonial expansion, a world where the language of faith was often twisted to justify unspeakable acts.

About the author: Bartolomé de las Casas (1484–1566) was a Spanish Dominican friar, Bishop of Chiapas, and a profoundly influential advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples in the Americas. Born in Seville, Spain, his early career was intertwined with the burgeoning Spanish colonial enterprise. He initially traveled to Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) as a layman, participating in expeditions and even owning indigenous laborers. This experience, however, proved transformative, leading him to a gradual but complete rejection of the brutal system of forced labor and conversion that characterized Spanish colonization.

This edition includes:

• An original 335-word introduction by Lion's Mark Library, situating the work for the contemporary reader.
• A focused 263-word biography of the author and their context.
• Lion Library house typesetting and editorial standards.
• Source verified against the cleanest available public-domain text.

Lion Library republishes carefully chosen public-domain works in editions designed to be read, kept, and returned to.