Product Description

From Roman times to the present day, Spain has occupied a significant role in the evolution of our Western world. This book highlights the notable trends, intellectual and social, of each particular era in its history. The imposition of Roman rule created the notion of Hispania as a single entity. Chapters on the Visigoth monarchy, Moorish Spain, the establishment, an empire, the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, all chart the political and economic development of Spain, but also emphasize the extraordinary and diverse artistic and literary achievements of the Spanish people within this one country at these different times. Moving on to the nineteenth century, we read of the rise of liberalism, and of its fall, which ushered in a period of disarray leading to the Civil War and authoritarian rule. Today Spain is a fully integrated and enthusiastic member of the European community.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151274 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 335 pages

Review
Although each chapter stands alone well, together, presented in chronological order, they provide an excellent overview of the history of a country and its people, the political and social occurrences that have shaped nation and empire, and the cultural and intellectual contribution made by its citizens. Lists of further reading - again, divided by historical period - enable those whose interest has been sparked to study further on the subject. British Bulletin of Publications An enjoyable and informative introduction to the subject which will be an invaluable resource for sixth-formers and undergraduates, as well as for the general reader. English Historical Review A highly accessible introduction to Spanish history ... The care taken by the writers to cover the basic milestones of Spain's history does not prevent originality of thought and freshness of interpretation. English Historical Review This fine volume provides a valuable synthesis of recent writing and research. Under the magisterial guidance of Carr, the doyen of historians of modern Spain, a distinguished group of scholars has provided succinct and penetrating essays ... The tone is revisionist but restrained, firm but free of aggressive point-scoring ... Although this is a work of historical synthesis, it manages to provoke and stimulate. David Gilmour, Spectator The book, which is nicely illustrated, contains nine essays ... which cover the history of Spain, still unfamiliar to most English-speakers, from prehistoric times to the present. The essays are well written by experts in that particular period and show how many of the trends we usually regard as 'post-Franco' have been about for some time in the ebb and flow of Spanish history. Contemporary Review

English Historical Review
"The care taken by the writers to cover the basic milestones of Spain's history does not prevent originality of thought and freshness of interpretation"

English Historical Review
"A highly accessible introduction to Spanish history"

Customer Reviews

Academic, Disjointed history
I bought this book as I was looking for a good overview of Spanish history. I was hoping for a light, easy to read account. This book seemed to be poular, so I bought it.

In general, the book met this requirement. It's easy to ready and does cover the entire scope of Spanish history. I had a few problems with it, however.

Each time period is covered by a different author, which means the style from one chapter to the next is very different. Some chapters are written in a very staid academic manner, which makes them rather dull. They seem to be out to prove a point, rather than cover the history. These chapters are in a minority, luckily. Most are easy to read summaries of their period with a few juicy tales thrown in.

My only other cricitism is that the book assumes the reader has a working knowledge of modern Spanish history. The civil war is covered in a very guarded way as if the reader knows the horrors involved.

Overall, it's a good, brief introduction to the topic, aimed at a more academic reader, rather than a ripping tale of Spanish history.