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Isabella Of Spain: The Last Crusader
Called by her people Isabella la Catolica, she was by any standard one of the greatest women of all history. A saint in her own right, she married Ferdinand of Aragon, and they forged modern Spain, cast out the Moslems, discovered the New World by backing Columbus, and established a powerful central government in Spain. This story is so thrilling it reads like a novel. Makes history really come alive. Highly readable and truly great in every respect! 576 pgs, PB
576 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1930
69 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
William Thomas Walsh
52 books37 followersA graduate of Yale University, William T. Walsh was a Catholic historian, educator, and author. He received international attention for his biographies Isabella of Spain and Philip II. In 1941, he was given the Laetare Medal by the University of Notre Dame. In 1944, he was given Spain's highest cultural honor, the Cross of Comendador of the Civil Order of Alfonso the Wise, and also the 1944 Catholic Literary Award of the Gallery of Living Catholic Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 5, 2013
One of the best historical books I have ever read. I would consider this a historical "Lord or the Rings." Lord of the Rings being the unbeatable fantasy that I have read and Isabella the unbeatable historical that I have read. It reads like a novel and has to many interesting facts to be boring. It is a long book that will take a month or two of heavy reading.
March 9, 2022
An excellent book about an incredible woman. It truly shows that when required by circumstances, certain women are able to rise strongly to the occasion and provide terrific leadership. Interestingly, the author didn’t shy away from revealing some of her weaknesses; but these all the more put into relief her great qualities as a person and as queen.
The best parts of the book, for me, consisted of the story of the push to finalize the Reconquista. I lost a little interest after the fall of Granada; perhaps this was more of a subjective reaction on my part, but the book didn’t hold my attention as much after the climax of her reign. Nonetheless, as a whole the book presented the story fixed very clearly in the events of world history, which I always appreciate.
The book gave a very good presentation of the Inquisition, about which one can always use some clarification! Not so surprisingly, the issue seems to have been misunderstood even by the popes of the time. Isabel’s insistence on the Inquisition is much more understandable when you realize how much its chief targets were dangerous not only to the faith but also to the State.
In the end, a great read about one of God’s great gifts—not only to medieval Europe but to all time as a tremendous example of womanhood and queenly virtue.
The best parts of the book, for me, consisted of the story of the push to finalize the Reconquista. I lost a little interest after the fall of Granada; perhaps this was more of a subjective reaction on my part, but the book didn’t hold my attention as much after the climax of her reign. Nonetheless, as a whole the book presented the story fixed very clearly in the events of world history, which I always appreciate.
The book gave a very good presentation of the Inquisition, about which one can always use some clarification! Not so surprisingly, the issue seems to have been misunderstood even by the popes of the time. Isabel’s insistence on the Inquisition is much more understandable when you realize how much its chief targets were dangerous not only to the faith but also to the State.
In the end, a great read about one of God’s great gifts—not only to medieval Europe but to all time as a tremendous example of womanhood and queenly virtue.
July 8, 2012
Wow. This book was incredibly interesting to read in spite of its size and the amount of history that was covered. I really liked all the original sources that were quoted and referenced concerning the life and time of the amazing Queen Isabella. She was quite a woman. I like the way the author tried to give both sides to her complex character to testify of her humanness as well as greatness. You are left to decide for yourself who exactly you think this woman was but by having a thorough description of not only her life but the crazy time in which she lived, the perspective you might think you have about this woman will most likely change and probably for the better. At least this is what happened to me. Good read for anyone who likes to be inspired by the lives of incredible people who have lived and changed the world for better or worse and usually both!
September 16, 2017
Excelente libro acerca de la reina Isabel de Castilla y Fernando de Aragón, los reyes católicos,así llamados. Impresionante visión de liderazgo junto con una inquebrantable fe en su Jesus y en la Iglesia Católica. Gracias a ella elNuevo Mundo fue una realidad: laconexion con la Vieja Europa de la Esad Media se la debemos a el apoyo a Cristobal Colón y a su empresa.
Recomiendo mucho su lectura ágil, con la certeza de un historiador.
Recomiendo mucho su lectura ágil, con la certeza de un historiador.
February 18, 2008
Probably my favorite History book. After I read this book I fell in love with queen Isabella and medieval times. Its told in narrative form.
May 12, 2025
3.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 30, 2024
Esta reseña no está acabada. Sin embargo, hay que poner algo.
La forma de la biografía: si bien se aprenden muchos datos y está muy bien escrita, como una obra de realidad y, a la vez, adictiva y fácil de leer. Sin embargo, tiene algunos aspectos que dejan qué desear. Uno, no es culpa del autor, pero está escrito antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Las perspectivas del antisemitismo no tenían la cicatriz que el nazismo ha dejado y se nota. Tiene el autor una sensibilidad distinta al tema, lo cual puede llamar la atención a un lector moderno.
La segunda, es que el autor toma varias veces una postura parcial en su crítica de la persona. Mientras puede ser muy indulgente y apologista de Isabel, Torquemada o Colón, toma unas actitudes que parecen no partir del mismo punto de vista con Carlos XII de Francia, Alejandro VI, Savonarola, etc. En tercer lugar, quizá por haberme acostumbrado a leer vidas de gente que dejó grandes notas de su vida interior, por más que se escriba de doña Isabel en la obra, sigue pareciendo una persona lejana, casi etérea, irreal. Es como ver a la reina en su trono desde otro lugar del palacio, no se llega, en mi opinión, a la intimidad de un alma de mujer que amó, lloró, sufrió y fue una figura heroica para España. No se puede negar que el autor, sabiendo la incapacidad real de hacerlo, avisa en el prólogo que no intentará hacerlo.
Ahora, vamos a lo que me deja la vida de la Reina y de su vida…
Primero. Una mujer virtuosa y en camino de santidad no tiene que ser necesariamente una “santurrona”. Isabel demostró tener un carácter y una voluntad firmísimos. Llama la atención su fidelidad a sus principios en todo el problema de la controversia de su coronación, la firmeza con que vivió sus valores cristianos en tiempos del rey Enrique.
Me llevo, además, el concepto del monarca distinto. No es el jefe al que aguantar, sino que es visto como enviado por Dios.
La inquisición, vista en su contexto, aparece como algo justo, incluso bueno. Tomemos en cuenta que el mundo no era visto antes igual que ahora, ha habido un cambio en esa forma de hacerlo. En una España (que aún eran varios reinos separados y varios con ganas de separarse de los monarcas) fue la fe la fuente de unión entre todos. Además, según el libro, la inquisición, si bien permitió que el estado diera muerte a varios, evitó que hubiera la sangre en España que hubo después en las guerras de religión en el resto de Europa, la cual fue mucho mayor y brutal.
No entiendo, en la guerra de la reconquista, qué era lo que hacía que gente de distintos estatus y naciones abandonaran su casa, su familia y arriesgaran la vida en una guerra por la fe, no estando seguros de una victoria pronta ni de beneficios monetarios exuberantes. Era una verdadera lucha por la fe. Colón, si bien tenía una ambición personal y los deseos muy propios del hombre soñador del renacimiento, era también un devoto cristiano, terciario franciscano. Además de lar rutas (o parte de ellas) estaba muy presente su urgencia de llegar a nuevas tierras porque había gente que esperaba a Cristo para no ser condenada.
Buena historia. Da mucho para pensar también por el papel histórico de la mujer dentro de la cultura católica.
La forma de la biografía: si bien se aprenden muchos datos y está muy bien escrita, como una obra de realidad y, a la vez, adictiva y fácil de leer. Sin embargo, tiene algunos aspectos que dejan qué desear. Uno, no es culpa del autor, pero está escrito antes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Las perspectivas del antisemitismo no tenían la cicatriz que el nazismo ha dejado y se nota. Tiene el autor una sensibilidad distinta al tema, lo cual puede llamar la atención a un lector moderno.
La segunda, es que el autor toma varias veces una postura parcial en su crítica de la persona. Mientras puede ser muy indulgente y apologista de Isabel, Torquemada o Colón, toma unas actitudes que parecen no partir del mismo punto de vista con Carlos XII de Francia, Alejandro VI, Savonarola, etc. En tercer lugar, quizá por haberme acostumbrado a leer vidas de gente que dejó grandes notas de su vida interior, por más que se escriba de doña Isabel en la obra, sigue pareciendo una persona lejana, casi etérea, irreal. Es como ver a la reina en su trono desde otro lugar del palacio, no se llega, en mi opinión, a la intimidad de un alma de mujer que amó, lloró, sufrió y fue una figura heroica para España. No se puede negar que el autor, sabiendo la incapacidad real de hacerlo, avisa en el prólogo que no intentará hacerlo.
Ahora, vamos a lo que me deja la vida de la Reina y de su vida…
Primero. Una mujer virtuosa y en camino de santidad no tiene que ser necesariamente una “santurrona”. Isabel demostró tener un carácter y una voluntad firmísimos. Llama la atención su fidelidad a sus principios en todo el problema de la controversia de su coronación, la firmeza con que vivió sus valores cristianos en tiempos del rey Enrique.
Me llevo, además, el concepto del monarca distinto. No es el jefe al que aguantar, sino que es visto como enviado por Dios.
La inquisición, vista en su contexto, aparece como algo justo, incluso bueno. Tomemos en cuenta que el mundo no era visto antes igual que ahora, ha habido un cambio en esa forma de hacerlo. En una España (que aún eran varios reinos separados y varios con ganas de separarse de los monarcas) fue la fe la fuente de unión entre todos. Además, según el libro, la inquisición, si bien permitió que el estado diera muerte a varios, evitó que hubiera la sangre en España que hubo después en las guerras de religión en el resto de Europa, la cual fue mucho mayor y brutal.
No entiendo, en la guerra de la reconquista, qué era lo que hacía que gente de distintos estatus y naciones abandonaran su casa, su familia y arriesgaran la vida en una guerra por la fe, no estando seguros de una victoria pronta ni de beneficios monetarios exuberantes. Era una verdadera lucha por la fe. Colón, si bien tenía una ambición personal y los deseos muy propios del hombre soñador del renacimiento, era también un devoto cristiano, terciario franciscano. Además de lar rutas (o parte de ellas) estaba muy presente su urgencia de llegar a nuevas tierras porque había gente que esperaba a Cristo para no ser condenada.
Buena historia. Da mucho para pensar también por el papel histórico de la mujer dentro de la cultura católica.
November 19, 2017
Libro muy interesante. Con una redacción fluida a pesar de ser riguroso en las fuentes históricas. Es una referencia muy útil para conocer en detalle varios episodios importantes de la historia universal y específicamente de la historia de occidente: el descubrimiento de América, la reconquista Española, la instauración de la Inquisición, etc.
Muy recomendable.
Muy recomendable.
September 20, 2020
This was a fun and informative read. I look forward to reading more books about the history of Spain, and Queen Isabel la Catolica in particular. I lament not being able to find primary source material, but I am glad that I have access to great scholars. I present here an apologia of Queen Isabel la Catolica and Spain:
The first European monarch to fight against slavery with legal means was Queen Isabel the Catholic 520 years ago almost to the day, June 20, 1500 A.D. (the namesake of our youngest daughter). The Laws of Burgos (1512-1513 A.D.) and later the Laws of the Indies (1542 A.D.), condemning slavery and passed by her husband, King Fernando the Catholic, and her grandson Emperor Charles V, is her legacy. Charles V had Bishop Bartolome de las Casas go to Rome and convince Pope Paul III to write the papal bull, Sublimus Dei, as the first Christian denunciation of slavery June 2, 1537 A.D.
The first philosophers really delving into human rights as we know them today, were those of the School of Salamanca in the 16th and 17th century during what is considered the Spanish Renaissance.
So, the idea that slavery was wrong was truly foreign to the world until around 500 years ago. It took 350 years for it to start sinking in to the mind of the West. The entire history of mankind, even until today, has had slavery. At present, there are slave auctions in northern Africa. Most of our clothes and electronics have been made by slaves.
We are in a position where these issues and ideas were hashed out by philosophers and monarchs, and neatly handed down to us. We are blessed to have been given this.
Human rights as you and I know them are thanks to Queen Isabel. When the Church was debating if the Indians had souls, she rightly proclaimed they were humans fully and Spanish subjects to be treated with human dignity.
In a recent conversation someone was connecting St. Junipero Serra with encomienda and the monarchy of Isabel the Catholic. Encomienda was akin to the peasant system. Encomienda was not slavery. In fact, many indigenous still have the deeds to their lands signed by the king. And, over and above that, encomienda had been finished for nearly 200 years by the time Saint Junipero came on the scene.
The Laws of Burgos (1512 A.D.-1513 A.D.) are very clear on how encomienda was to work. It is nothing as ugly as many seem to think, except for it’s implementation in the Caribbean islands. Encomienda was abused mostly in the Caribbean, by such people as the famed Bartolome de las Casas, the so called “Protector of the Indians” and his friends.
Due to the horrible reality of what the encomienda became in the Caribbean, Hernán Cortés was adamant that it was not to be brought to New Spain aka Mexico. It was outlawed not long after. Hernán Cortés was also a great protector of the Indians, and when the Caribbean villains had killed off 90% of the indigenous and tried kidnapping Indians from Mexico, Cortés was known to capture the ships and free the Indians who were Spanish subjects.
Whenever people were accused of heinous crimes against the indigenous they were recalled to Spain for trial, and if found guilty harshly punished. When the enemies of Cortés leveled charges at him, he was recalled to Spain, and found innocent. His accusers were cruel, bad men, and they were robbing the indigenous and Hernán Cortés blind. Zumarraga, the bishop of happy memory, had written a letter to Carlos V (Emperor Charles V) on all the happenings of the time leading up to Cortés’ recall to Spain. At that time it was believed that Cortés was dead, as his enemies proclaimed him so in order to pilfer his property. Cortés was exploring Honduras at the time. Zumarraga’s letter explains in a dispassionate way, rule under Cortés, as well as the evils that began to occur when Cortés left to explore Honduras.
After being found innocent of the superfluous charges, Cortés returned to New Spain as a still high ranking government official, but no longer had the power he once had. His accusers had been found out, and the chief among them spent his final years imprisoned. With a desire to explain the character of Cortés, I wish to mention that he financially supported his enemy and his enemies family the whole time as an act of charity. He did this for the man that robbed and tried to ruin him.
Also of note, the Moctezuma line is part of European royalty to this day. There are monarchs throughout Europe with the Moctezuma royal heritage. This is due to the workings of Hernán Cortés with Emperor Carlos V (Charles V).
Almost all of the surviving conquistadores of New Spain married indigenous girls. The Spaniards immediately intermarried with the indigenous. They had a love for the people of the lands the discovered.
The conquistadores and those that arrived later that were doing evil, if found out were usually recalled to Spain and punished. This is the time that the real idea of human rights was born. Hispanoamerica was not a land of colonies, but an extension of Spain. It was not, like the English and French colonies, autonomous business ventures.
Returning to the Apostle of California, Queen Isabel la Católica died in the year 1504 A.D., wheras Saint Junipero Serra (a true protector of the Indians, unlike the despicable Las Casas) was born in 1713 A.D. So there was no direct connection between the two.
It was 15th and 16th century Spain to which we owe the accolades of human rights, not the so called Enlightenment.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Amoris Laetitia (March 19, 2016) stated, “The lack of historic memory is a serious shortcoming in our society.” And I believe the current iconoclasm is a case of that. A lack of historic memory.
The first European monarch to fight against slavery with legal means was Queen Isabel the Catholic 520 years ago almost to the day, June 20, 1500 A.D. (the namesake of our youngest daughter). The Laws of Burgos (1512-1513 A.D.) and later the Laws of the Indies (1542 A.D.), condemning slavery and passed by her husband, King Fernando the Catholic, and her grandson Emperor Charles V, is her legacy. Charles V had Bishop Bartolome de las Casas go to Rome and convince Pope Paul III to write the papal bull, Sublimus Dei, as the first Christian denunciation of slavery June 2, 1537 A.D.
The first philosophers really delving into human rights as we know them today, were those of the School of Salamanca in the 16th and 17th century during what is considered the Spanish Renaissance.
So, the idea that slavery was wrong was truly foreign to the world until around 500 years ago. It took 350 years for it to start sinking in to the mind of the West. The entire history of mankind, even until today, has had slavery. At present, there are slave auctions in northern Africa. Most of our clothes and electronics have been made by slaves.
We are in a position where these issues and ideas were hashed out by philosophers and monarchs, and neatly handed down to us. We are blessed to have been given this.
Human rights as you and I know them are thanks to Queen Isabel. When the Church was debating if the Indians had souls, she rightly proclaimed they were humans fully and Spanish subjects to be treated with human dignity.
In a recent conversation someone was connecting St. Junipero Serra with encomienda and the monarchy of Isabel the Catholic. Encomienda was akin to the peasant system. Encomienda was not slavery. In fact, many indigenous still have the deeds to their lands signed by the king. And, over and above that, encomienda had been finished for nearly 200 years by the time Saint Junipero came on the scene.
The Laws of Burgos (1512 A.D.-1513 A.D.) are very clear on how encomienda was to work. It is nothing as ugly as many seem to think, except for it’s implementation in the Caribbean islands. Encomienda was abused mostly in the Caribbean, by such people as the famed Bartolome de las Casas, the so called “Protector of the Indians” and his friends.
Due to the horrible reality of what the encomienda became in the Caribbean, Hernán Cortés was adamant that it was not to be brought to New Spain aka Mexico. It was outlawed not long after. Hernán Cortés was also a great protector of the Indians, and when the Caribbean villains had killed off 90% of the indigenous and tried kidnapping Indians from Mexico, Cortés was known to capture the ships and free the Indians who were Spanish subjects.
Whenever people were accused of heinous crimes against the indigenous they were recalled to Spain for trial, and if found guilty harshly punished. When the enemies of Cortés leveled charges at him, he was recalled to Spain, and found innocent. His accusers were cruel, bad men, and they were robbing the indigenous and Hernán Cortés blind. Zumarraga, the bishop of happy memory, had written a letter to Carlos V (Emperor Charles V) on all the happenings of the time leading up to Cortés’ recall to Spain. At that time it was believed that Cortés was dead, as his enemies proclaimed him so in order to pilfer his property. Cortés was exploring Honduras at the time. Zumarraga’s letter explains in a dispassionate way, rule under Cortés, as well as the evils that began to occur when Cortés left to explore Honduras.
After being found innocent of the superfluous charges, Cortés returned to New Spain as a still high ranking government official, but no longer had the power he once had. His accusers had been found out, and the chief among them spent his final years imprisoned. With a desire to explain the character of Cortés, I wish to mention that he financially supported his enemy and his enemies family the whole time as an act of charity. He did this for the man that robbed and tried to ruin him.
Also of note, the Moctezuma line is part of European royalty to this day. There are monarchs throughout Europe with the Moctezuma royal heritage. This is due to the workings of Hernán Cortés with Emperor Carlos V (Charles V).
Almost all of the surviving conquistadores of New Spain married indigenous girls. The Spaniards immediately intermarried with the indigenous. They had a love for the people of the lands the discovered.
The conquistadores and those that arrived later that were doing evil, if found out were usually recalled to Spain and punished. This is the time that the real idea of human rights was born. Hispanoamerica was not a land of colonies, but an extension of Spain. It was not, like the English and French colonies, autonomous business ventures.
Returning to the Apostle of California, Queen Isabel la Católica died in the year 1504 A.D., wheras Saint Junipero Serra (a true protector of the Indians, unlike the despicable Las Casas) was born in 1713 A.D. So there was no direct connection between the two.
It was 15th and 16th century Spain to which we owe the accolades of human rights, not the so called Enlightenment.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Amoris Laetitia (March 19, 2016) stated, “The lack of historic memory is a serious shortcoming in our society.” And I believe the current iconoclasm is a case of that. A lack of historic memory.
May 10, 2019
Possibly the most well written biography I have read. Walsh has a way of writing history that engages your interest throughout. Her story reads like a novel and the plain historical facts laid out show an amazing life that greatly influenced our modern world. She is also called 'Isabella the Catholic' and 'Isabella of Castile'. I highly recommend this biography.
July 10, 2023
Fabulous!
So much real history, love how it presents the modern view of history then shows how it is wrong and backs it up with facts.
What an education! I now can see why it is rated the best book about Isabella.
So much real history, love how it presents the modern view of history then shows how it is wrong and backs it up with facts.
What an education! I now can see why it is rated the best book about Isabella.
September 12, 2020
Defender of the faith
This books provided an excellent insight into the history of medieval Spain, the Reconguista, Columbus and the Inquisition. Easy to read.
This books provided an excellent insight into the history of medieval Spain, the Reconguista, Columbus and the Inquisition. Easy to read.
March 27, 2025
Imperdible
Obra amena y bien documentada que despeja dudas que dejan otras obras de dudosa procedencia acerca de la excepcional vida de esta gran mujer.
Obra amena y bien documentada que despeja dudas que dejan otras obras de dudosa procedencia acerca de la excepcional vida de esta gran mujer.
May 16, 2016
Walsh is obviously a prominent expert in Spanish history and has done exhaustive research in piecing together Isabella's story. However, his analyse of the how and why I think is very biased and bigoted. Some parts of the book were downright disgusting and repulsive. His disparaging remarks on Jews, Arabs and women are archaic and shameful. I was close to tossing the book many times. I powered through those parts the best I could and finally finished the book. In my opinion, Walsh's love affair with Isabella and the Catholic Church heavily influenced his writing, but then again, I understand the the original audience for his work is mostly the 1920's Conservative Catholic.
April 4, 2016
Comprehensive, well-written, and engaging. Though I saw a lot of flack from reviewers about "anti-semitism" and whatnot, I thought it quite fair, carefully researched, and conscientiously sourced. I learned a lot about the early days of the Inquisition and finally understand the extent of Isabella's work in uniting Spain. She is truly an inspiration!
The lack of a fifth star is simply due to the fact that my ditzy brain got tired of concentrating...the book is very long, and though it is interesting, I reached the point of just wanting to be done. *shame*
The lack of a fifth star is simply due to the fact that my ditzy brain got tired of concentrating...the book is very long, and though it is interesting, I reached the point of just wanting to be done. *shame*
January 9, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was dense, there is no question, but it was very informative. I especially enjoyed how the author confirmed/refuted previous theories by employing a multitude of resources and painting a vivid picture of how 15th century Spain, and Christian Europe in general, viewed religion and heresy. I can now continue with The Wives of Henry VIII to resume the saga of Isabel's youngest daughter, Catalina, or Catherine of Aragon.
Good read!
Good read!
December 3, 2024
The most authentic history of Queen Isabella of Spain if you want to try to understand her life in context and what she was born into and what she was expected to do. Read this if you want insight to her choices and her world. This is the most importantly book I have read about this queen’s life and influence and the pressures she was born into.
March 22, 2016
Read it for school. Don't remember it too well now, but do remember it being well rounded; not just a biographical work, it also covered all relevent historical background as well as the current affairs and thought that shaped the world Isabella was living in.
March 16, 2022
Excellent! William Thomas Walsh is one of the best authors of America!
This book shows the sanctity and determination of Queen Isabella.
Though large, it is a book that is hard to stop reading.
This book shows the sanctity and determination of Queen Isabella.
Though large, it is a book that is hard to stop reading.
December 12, 2015
As with all of Walsh's books, this is Catholic history at its best. I highly recommend all of the author's books.
Impeccably researched, engaging, inspiring, and written by a master's hand.
Impeccably researched, engaging, inspiring, and written by a master's hand.
February 28, 2011
¡Esta mujer es una grande!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews