A History of Spain (Palgrave Essential Histories)

Rating:
Summary: Strong on the last 200 years
Review: This book is a relatively short overview of the history of Spain over roughly 2,500 years. Necessarily, it does not cover all topics in great depth. However, it becomes clear through the course of the book that the author's interest is primarily in the last 200 years. Depth and detail increase exponentially as the book moves forward in time, to the point that the Spanish Civil War, the Franco years and thereafter receive the same number of pages that a number of centuries received earlier in the book.

This is turn means that the book is strong on how the current Spanish situation came about, and what forces shaped Spain's present political and social atmosphere. However, for readers looking for example for information on the 600+ years of Moorish influence in the south of Spain, the text is much more sparse. Even the days of the Spanish empire in the New World receive scant attention, and the Inquisition rates barely a mention.

The book is well-written, and appears intended for a general audience rather than for academia. As such it is quite accessable, although there are times when it degenerates into little more than a recitation of names of monarchs, their wives and children.

For readers looking for the roots of present-day Spanish politics and recent history, this book will be very useful. Those wanting to read about the glories of Moorish Spain, the Reconquest, the Spanish Empire and similar topics, however, would be better served by finding another book.