Very informative. I thought I knew this woman from the Columbus story but even that wasn't out of the goodness of her heart but to help Spain beat Portugal to India! She also instigated the horrific Spanish Inquisition. I went from having a positive view of this woman to having a decidedly negative view of her. I don't blame the book for this. It was mostly well-written though not as good as some Hourly History books I have read hitherto.
I wish that I had read this short history before visiting Spain. It was confusing following her dynasty and the Moorish conquest. I didn’t understand the importance of the thirty years after Columbus’ voyage. The fall of the Byzantine empire, France’s attach on Rome and Naples, and Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Catherine lived in a truly dynamic era. She as equal to the challenges that arose in those times, and even initiated some of them. (Think Columbus.) This book provides a sketchy outline of her life and accomplishments, but it is adequate.