Bartolomé de Las Casas was a Spanish historian and missionary known for advocating indigenous people's rights. His influential work, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, criticized European colonization and highlighted the suffering of Native Americans.
If you enjoy reading books by Bartolomé de Las Casas then you might also like the following authors:
Antonio de Montesinos was a Dominican friar known for outspoken criticism of the mistreatment of indigenous peoples in the Americas. His sermons challenged Spanish colonizers, urging them to reflect on their actions and calling for humane treatment of native communities.
Though he didn't publish written works extensively himself, his influential sermon in 1511, known as the Advent Sermon, significantly inspired others like Bartolomé de Las Casas to advocate against cruelty in colonial practices.
Toribio de Benavente Motolinia was a Franciscan missionary who documented the history and traditions of indigenous people in colonial Mexico. His writing style is straightforward and observant, capturing the daily lives, customs, and beliefs of the native communities.
In his book Historia de los Indios de la Nueva España, Motolinia offers readers detailed insights into indigenous societies, highlighting interactions between native culture and Catholic faith during the colonial period.
Bernardino de Sahagún was a Franciscan friar and scholar who created extensive, meticulous records of indigenous Mexican culture. His works emphasized preserving native knowledge and tradition by carefully consulting indigenous informants and texts.
His major work, General History of the Things of New Spain (also known as the Florentine Codex), thoroughly documents Aztec society, religion, language, and history, offering readers vivid and valuable accounts of native traditions from their own perspectives.
Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda was a Spanish humanist and philosopher known for supporting the colonization efforts, offering a perspective sharply contrasting Bartolomé de Las Casas's advocacy for indigenous rights.
His arguments centered around philosophical justifications for Spanish conquest based on the idea that indigenous societies needed guidance from what he termed "more civilized" European culture.
His notable text, Democrates Secundus, or Concerning the Just Causes of the War Against the Indians, summarizes this controversial stance, making him an important historical counterpart to Las Casas.
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer and writer who endured a challenging expedition through the American South and Southwest, embracing interaction with various indigenous peoples over several years.
His narrative style is personal, vivid, and empathetic, emphasizing his evolving perspectives shaped by direct experiences and exchanges with native groups.
In La Relación, he describes his remarkable journey and transformation from conquistador to advocate, providing readers an authentic glimpse into indigenous life during early European explorations.
Garcilaso de la Vega, el Inca, blends his indigenous and European heritage to give readers a unique perspective on Peru's history. His book Comentarios Reales de los Incas documents Inca customs, history, and traditions with warmth and detail.
Like Bartolomé de Las Casas, Garcilaso explores cultural understanding and offers respect for indigenous peoples.
Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala writes with strong passion for justice, defending indigenous rights and denouncing colonial abuses. His work Nueva crónica y buen gobierno uses detailed illustrations and direct, heartfelt prose to show the harsh reality under colonial rule.
Readers who appreciate Las Casas's courage in openly criticizing injustice will find a similar spirit in Guaman Poma.
Francisco de Vitoria approaches colonialism from a theoretical and ethical point of view. In his influential work, Relectio de Indis, he debates ethical issues about colonial conquest and indigenous rights.
If you liked how Las Casas questioned the morality of colonization, you may also be interested in Vitoria's philosophical and legal arguments about human rights.
Diego Durán brings genuine curiosity and careful observation to his study of indigenous cultures. In Historia de las Indias de Nueva España e Islas de Tierra Firme, he carefully records Aztec traditions, religion, and history, showing respect for Mexico's indigenous heritage.
Similar to Las Casas, he shows sincere interest and empathy towards native traditions.
Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés writes vivid descriptions of the Americas, highlighting the landscapes, plants, animals, and indigenous peoples he encountered. In Historia general y natural de las Indias, he provides detailed and colorful observations about the New World.
While more neutral than Las Casas, Oviedo also captures colonial life and indigenous interaction clearly and descriptively.
Peter Martyr d'Anghiera was an Italian historian and chronicler who wrote vividly about the early encounters between Europeans and people of the Americas.
In De Orbe Novo, he described the explorations of Columbus and other voyagers, highlighting the excitement, tensions, and cultural misunderstandings of their interactions.
Readers of Bartolomé de Las Casas will appreciate his thoughtful consideration of moral and ethical questions raised by these encounters.
Bernal Díaz del Castillo was a Spanish soldier and chronicler who offered a first-hand account of the conquest of Mexico in the 16th century.
His book, The True History of the Conquest of New Spain, provides a clear, unadorned perspective on Hernán Cortés's campaign and vividly portrays both the conquistadors' experiences and the cultures they encountered.
If you enjoy the honest reflections and detailed narrative found in Bartolomé de Las Casas's work, Díaz’s direct storytelling will resonate with you.
Jean de Léry, a French author and explorer, wrote with insight and sensitivity about his experiences among the Tupinambá people in Brazil.
His memoir, History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil, closely documents daily life, customs, and rituals, giving special attention to understanding other cultures without judgment or bias.
Like Las Casas, Léry reflects honestly on the humanity and complexity of indigenous societies amid the impact of European exploration.
Olaudah Equiano was an influential African writer and abolitionist whose autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, provides an important first-person view of the transatlantic slave trade.
Equiano's style blends personal narrative, vivid description, and powerful storytelling to evoke empathy and inspire change. Readers who admired Las Casas’s moral clarity and passion for human rights will find Equiano’s voice equally engaging and significant.
Thomas More was an English thinker and writer best known for his influential work Utopia. In it, he imagines a society defined by social equality, communal responsibility, and humane government—questioning and critiquing contemporary European practices and values.
Readers who appreciate Bartolomé de Las Casas’s passionate critique of colonial injustice and advocacy for a fairer society will find similar themes of ethical reflection and social concern in More’s writings.