Spain: A History - Tapa dura

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

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 of an empire, the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, all chart the political and economic development of Spain, but also emphasise 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. The contributors to this work are all specialists in their field, and provide an authoritative overview of two thousand years of Spanish history for the student and general reader.