In this work the author explains and discusses the first three voyages of Columbus to the Indies, and other expeditions of discovery and conquest. Although Las Casas admires the discoverers he does not shirk their responsibility for the destruction of the Indians. His historical accuracy is as remarkable as his human sensitivity. The reader will notice in this first volume the characteristics of the whole work of a man who, besides being part of and witness to the conquest, sought to be a consistent Christian devoting an important part of his life and his intellectual capacity to defending the rights of the Indians.