This classic study of the Venezuelan encomienda, originally published in Spain (1957), has long been out of print. Now, thanks to the Universidad Central de Venezuela, it is republished with a new preface by the author. This second edition, as Arcila Farías points out in his preface, is virtually identical with the first. Some small corrections have been made, and an index added, but there are no substantial additions or deletions. The bibliography is the same as in the first edition, although Arcila notes that nothing published since he prepared the book has modified his view of the Venezuelan encomienda. This second edition is welcome, as it makes one of the pioneer efforts of Venezuelan historiography available again.