Bartolome De Las Casas: Great

¶ … Bartolome de las Casas: Great prophet of the Americas by Paul S. Vickery. Specifically it will contain a book review of the book. The author's purpose in writing this book is simple, he wanted to share the story of Bartolome de las Casas, an advocate for Native Americans and reform in 16th century Spain. He writes his thesis early in the book: "This work examines the historical setting and specific events leading up to the spiritual awakening that transformed Las Casas's life, and interprets this experience in light of his future message" (Vickery, 2006, p. 2). The author wants to illustrate why Las Casas is important, especially to those who might not be familiar with his work, and he wants to show how he worked for justice and against oppression of the Amerindians, as the author calls them. He views Las Casas as a prophet in the form of those prophets in the Old Testament, and uses this book about his life to make these points clear.

The author goes to great pains to portray Las Casas as a revolutionary of the times and toward the Catholic Church, even though he was an ordained priest and believed in the values and overall mission of the Church. Early in the book he writes, "His life is an example of the influence one person can have by standing faithful to his convictions even if these views contradict contemporary thought" (Vickery, 2006, p. 7). He continues this thesis tirelessly throughout the book, showing how Las Casas came to think this way -- the things that drove him relentlessly throughout his life, including is faith and his strong beliefs. He shows how he made a difference in the Church and the world, and he shows why he is still important to understand and appreciate.

Vickery paints a picture of a man who was a humanitarian long before it was fashionable. Often Las Casas reacts with horror or revulsion at the Spanish treatment of the natives. At one point he writes, "It was a general rule for the Spaniards to be cruel, not just cruel, but extraordinarily cruel. This was so that this harsh and bitter treatment would keep the Indians form daring to think of themselves as human beings -- or even to have a moment to think period'" (Vickery, 2006, p. 35). Throughout the book, the author returns to the priest's concern for the natives, and his chronicles of some of the atrocities committed by the Spanish, in an effort to show how caring and compassionate Las Casas was, and how influential he became in the treatment of the natives.

Another important element of Vickery's thesis is Las Casas' transformation, and his conviction that he has been wrong in the past, and has championed religious causes that were cruel and uncharitable. He repented, and his transformation forms a central part of the book. It colors his life for the remainder of his life, and made him a true humanitarian in the author's eyes. The transformation occurs in 1514, and the priest referred to it for the rest of his life. The author writes, "After this epiphany, Las Casas repented of his former way of life and began to attack the system of which he had been a part" (Vickery, 2006, p. 57). Las Casas believed in his faith, but did not believe in the methods of bringing that faith to the natives, and in fact, he felt the only way to truly transform the natives into Christians was gently and without force or malice, and he felt the Church's position was un-Christian and a paradox. This forms some of the backbone of the book, and once Las Casas transforms, he becomes a different person. He begins to challenge the monarchy and the Church, and he begins to publicize the cruelties imposed on the natives by the Spaniards.

This is the story of a brave, even heroic man, and the author brings this to life as he begins to chronicle how Las Casas attempts to change what he sees as a corrupt system. He is also extremely wise in his dealings with others, because he knows that he must convince them of his plan by appealing to their baser instincts. The author continues, "His views were so radical and would involve such a change of heart of the part of the hearers, that he knew he had to make these ideas palatable to the practical-minded and profit-oriented" (Vickery, 2006, p. 75). Thus, the priest understood what he was up against and attempted to sway his listeners with things that would appeal to their ideas and ideals. He was wise beyond his years, and he enjoyed everything from ridicule to censure because of it, but that did not stop him from truly believing in his cause and in the rights of his fellow human beings.

It is important to note that throughout his life, Las Casas did not lose his faith in God, even when his attempts to stop brutalization of the natives did not work. His faith did not falter, but his faith in humankind did. He joined the Dominican order after twelve years of attempting change and reform, and he continued to believe peaceful reform was what was necessary. The author continues, "This consisted of peaceful persuasion and appeal to the reason of the hearers; war was never justified" (Vickery, 2006, p. 115). The author makes it clear that the man's message stayed consistent throughout his lifetime, and that makes him larger than life in the eyes of the author, something that is very prevalent throughout this work.

Vickery's book is a detailed attempt to bring Las Casas to life for the reader, and to share the priest's strong convictions with the reader. He uses direct quotes, exhaustive research, and a scholarly writing style to achieve his goals and defend his thesis. At the heart of the book is the Spanish conquest and their desire to convert, at just about any cost, the "heathen" natives they discovered in the West Indies and Caribbean. The author notes, "Among other instructions, the monarchs specifically charged Columbus to work diligently for the conversion of the inhabitants of both the islands and mainland to the Catholic faith" (Vickery, 2006, p. 19). The book clearly has a pro-Catholic stance, which may take away from some of its authority on the life of Las Casas, because it may be more biased than a non-Catholic reference. However, all in all, the author does an excellent job of introducing his subject and expertise to the reader, while making Las Casas as sympathetic and heroic as possible. Las Casas was one of the first human rights activists for the New World, and as such, he comes off a hero of almost epic proportions in this book.