A Violent Evangelism: The Political and Religious Conquest of the Americas
Rivera (humanities, Univ. of Puerto Rico) recontructs the 16th-century debate about the European appropriation of the New World. He chronicles the development of the questionable theology used to justify the overthrow of indigenous American peoples. As a counterweight to the rationalizations of conquest--the bestiality of the natives, the universal authority of the Church--Rivera repeatedly invokes Bartolome de Las Casas's passionate defense of the "Indians," which anticipates some of the major arguments and concerns of contemporary liberation theology. Rivera's powerful critique of the Whig interpretation of Columbus's voyage is enhanced by his careful marshaling of documentary evidence and by his restrained tone. The book deserves a prominent place in the crowded field of works addressing the Columbus quincentenary. For academic and larger public libraries.- Steve Gowler, Wofford Coll. Lib., Spartanburg, S.C.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.