Ethnicity, Law and Human Rights: The English Experience Book

This book is excellent.

It is a new translation of an original document "composed" by an Incan leader, Titu Cusi Tupanqui, using an Augustan friar as a translator. It was sent by Titu Cusi with an envoy to the King of Spain asking for the King to intervent and grant Titu Cusi relief from Spanish depredations. It is a fascinating re-telling (or maybe alternative telling) of the first contact between the Incans and the Spanish in the early 16th century.

But it is more than just translation. It is a dual-language ediiton where you can read the original Spanish on the left side and the modern English translation on the right. It is blessed with clear and ample footnotes on the Spanish text to assist in understanding some of the nuances of 16th century Spanish forms (orthography). But the English introduction and footnotes are priceless. They are concise, not overly technical, and clear, and they assisted me in understanding obscure aspects of Incan culture referred to in the work. The unobtrusive footnotes also highlight areas where Titu Cusi's account is reinforced by other early Spanish authors and by the official reports made to the Spanish govenrment. In many places, too, the footnotes also point out some errors (or perhaps purposeful exaggerations) made by the original Incan author.

The universality of politics and political expression --16th century "spin," if you will --is also illuminating. Titu Cusi was an adroit survivor who was preparing a political message for the King of Spain. That comes across in several instances where the words are carefully chosen for maximum effect on the "Holy" Roman Emperor.

So, in summary, I loved this book not just for its core content, but also for its readability and concise introduction and footnotes.

I do want to note: There is another translation prepared by Ralph Bauer that was published slightly earlier than this one and I have also begun to read that translation. So far, I prefer the readability of this translation. But I think Mr. Bauer's notes are very detailed and also very illuminating. His work is also very good. It would not be a bad thing to have both versions.