What do you think?
Rate this book
Spain: A History
Out of the division and strife of the Middle Ages, Spain emerged from behind the Pyrenees to straddle the stage of European politics like some new colossus. Discoverer of a New World, it became the greatest power on earth and created a Golden Age of culture breathtaking in its quality and achievement. Within 150 years, Spain was in a state of decay and fast being left behind by more progressive European nations. Here, from award-winning historian Melveena McKendrick, is the dramatic story of the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 7, 2016
I read this book, along with several others, in preparation for my upcoming trip to Portugal and Southern Spain. I am a retired professor, theatre arts, and I recognized the author's name as she has written extensively on Spanish theatre history - so I decided to trust her on this.
This is a brief history, and the author writes very well. I think I've got a clearer understanding now than ever before of Spain's checkered past. My only disappointment is that she takes us only thru the Spanish Civil War. I know I can read others on more recent history, but I felt I was in good hands with her and would have liked to have continued.
Another slight disappointment has more to do with the series in which she is writing. There ar eno notes, not even a bibliography - no pics or maps either, but I don't need visuals when she "paints" very clearly the history of this place that was once the most powerful naiion in Europe. I would have liked a selected bibliography at least, but then I know the author well enough that her research was sound and thorough.
I read the Kindle version and there were some grammatical glitches and in some places seemingly missing words, but this may be down to the process of formatting the book to Kindle - already out of my depth on that subject, but I thought I'd let potential Kindle readers know. Again, I found it very useful - so might you!
This is a brief history, and the author writes very well. I think I've got a clearer understanding now than ever before of Spain's checkered past. My only disappointment is that she takes us only thru the Spanish Civil War. I know I can read others on more recent history, but I felt I was in good hands with her and would have liked to have continued.
Another slight disappointment has more to do with the series in which she is writing. There ar eno notes, not even a bibliography - no pics or maps either, but I don't need visuals when she "paints" very clearly the history of this place that was once the most powerful naiion in Europe. I would have liked a selected bibliography at least, but then I know the author well enough that her research was sound and thorough.
I read the Kindle version and there were some grammatical glitches and in some places seemingly missing words, but this may be down to the process of formatting the book to Kindle - already out of my depth on that subject, but I thought I'd let potential Kindle readers know. Again, I found it very useful - so might you!
December 15, 2017
This is a book that conveys the history of this country which has been on the world scene for many centuries. No historical personality and important event is skipped. While you are reading, you feel as if watching a fast forward movie. The transitions between events and historic figures are fluent and fast. You get very important information about Spain from the earliest ages to the Franco era such as:
-Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Barbarians, Arabs, and Africans settled there.
-Some megalithic people settled in the Pyrenees to become the ancient precursors of the Basques, a
race with a language whose roots still remain a mystery to philologists.
-The Spaniards owe to the Greeks having the olive tree and the grapevine which are still both crucial
to Spain’s agriculture.
-Intermarriage was common, and the country became a mixture of natives and part-natives,
-Emperor Theodosius, in 380 made Christianity the empire’s official religion.
-In 589, Catholicism was made the official faith of the peninsula.
-Berber army of 7,000 under their leader Tarik landed on the prominence called thenceforth the
(Gebel Tarik, or Gibraltar).
-For three centuries, Spain had a Muslim majority.
-After U.S. decided to give money to recover Spain's economic situation, Franco said "At long last I
have won the Spanish War."
-Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Barbarians, Arabs, and Africans settled there.
-Some megalithic people settled in the Pyrenees to become the ancient precursors of the Basques, a
race with a language whose roots still remain a mystery to philologists.
-The Spaniards owe to the Greeks having the olive tree and the grapevine which are still both crucial
to Spain’s agriculture.
-Intermarriage was common, and the country became a mixture of natives and part-natives,
-Emperor Theodosius, in 380 made Christianity the empire’s official religion.
-In 589, Catholicism was made the official faith of the peninsula.
-Berber army of 7,000 under their leader Tarik landed on the prominence called thenceforth the
(Gebel Tarik, or Gibraltar).
-For three centuries, Spain had a Muslim majority.
-After U.S. decided to give money to recover Spain's economic situation, Franco said "At long last I
have won the Spanish War."
May 19, 2018
A speedy overview of Spain’s destructive history
I have never read or given too much thought into Spain’s history until I found myself planning a trip to both Spain and Portugal. I wanted to know more about their history before traveling there and I think this was a good book to get a quick overview. It can be hard to stay focused due to how fleeting the content can be but overall I think it’s what I needed to understand many of the roots that have made Spain into what it is today. I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised with how much war rifled this country for a millennia, but you start to see a pattern in the repetitive vicious cycles of progressives and traditionalists.
I have never read or given too much thought into Spain’s history until I found myself planning a trip to both Spain and Portugal. I wanted to know more about their history before traveling there and I think this was a good book to get a quick overview. It can be hard to stay focused due to how fleeting the content can be but overall I think it’s what I needed to understand many of the roots that have made Spain into what it is today. I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised with how much war rifled this country for a millennia, but you start to see a pattern in the repetitive vicious cycles of progressives and traditionalists.
August 13, 2017
A biased but interesting account of Spanish history. It is clear the author has her "thumb on the scale" when it comes to Muslims over Christians. She also doesn't think much of mental illness, as illustrated when she called one historical figure "retarded". I was also surprised with her avoidance of the Spanish and Portuguese central role in establishing the African slave trade in the West Indies.
Still, as a readable introduction to the complexities that is Spanish history in a modestly sized volume, it gets the job done.
Still, as a readable introduction to the complexities that is Spanish history in a modestly sized volume, it gets the job done.
July 8, 2018
A decent and readable survey
This book offers a good overview of the high and low points in the history of Spain, which is one of the most intriguing nations in Europe. I found the early sections most interesting, probably because I knew so little about the country’s origins. Unfortunately, the book ignores modern Spain after the rise and rule of Franco, and says little about the Basques of Spain and their influence on the country.
This book offers a good overview of the high and low points in the history of Spain, which is one of the most intriguing nations in Europe. I found the early sections most interesting, probably because I knew so little about the country’s origins. Unfortunately, the book ignores modern Spain after the rise and rule of Franco, and says little about the Basques of Spain and their influence on the country.
April 24, 2018
Who are Spaniards?
A people, a place, ever-changing as they follow their destiny. Regionalism seems to always get in the way even to this day as we see unfold in Catalonia. The poor are always left to suffer and carry the burden.
A people, a place, ever-changing as they follow their destiny. Regionalism seems to always get in the way even to this day as we see unfold in Catalonia. The poor are always left to suffer and carry the burden.
November 12, 2019
In preparation for a trip to Spain, this history came up as a cheap option on some of the background to the country. There is no question that Spain has played a significant role in the world's history, particularly in southern America. As expected there are some interesting aspects which go back to the Roman Empire and the emergence of different borders in the region, however vague they might have been at the time. And somehow, Spain has also been one of the primary intersections between east and west, for many years a distinctive front, and point of exchange, between contrasting civilizations.
This book was ok for getting the broad flow of Spain's history. Unfortunately, I also came away feeling like the meaning of different episodes was never fully captured despite constant allusion to their future significance. In reality, it's not possible to pull it all this together at multiple layers of depth. By comparison, Churchill took four volumes, each probably of equal length to this one, to tell the story of Britain. But it also takes the writers skill of a Churchill to sustain interest while going deep and despite knowing lots of stuff, it may be that this author did the best he could.
I enjoyed my trip to Spain, helped in part by this book, but largely through other means. The country is well set up for historical tours and while there may be other books well suited to this, perhaps getting by on local tours etc is good enough. If i could, I'd start on something that goes a bit deeper but covers a shorter period, the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand, the reconquest of Iberia, or the Roman period, rather than starting here. But if it's a high level overview you're after perhaps it's worth a shot!
This book was ok for getting the broad flow of Spain's history. Unfortunately, I also came away feeling like the meaning of different episodes was never fully captured despite constant allusion to their future significance. In reality, it's not possible to pull it all this together at multiple layers of depth. By comparison, Churchill took four volumes, each probably of equal length to this one, to tell the story of Britain. But it also takes the writers skill of a Churchill to sustain interest while going deep and despite knowing lots of stuff, it may be that this author did the best he could.
I enjoyed my trip to Spain, helped in part by this book, but largely through other means. The country is well set up for historical tours and while there may be other books well suited to this, perhaps getting by on local tours etc is good enough. If i could, I'd start on something that goes a bit deeper but covers a shorter period, the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand, the reconquest of Iberia, or the Roman period, rather than starting here. But if it's a high level overview you're after perhaps it's worth a shot!
October 25, 2020
Every year, I like to travel to Spain. This country has lots of sunshine, food, drinks and history as well. Unfortunately in 2020, we will not travel to this wonderful country. So, I decided to read a book about the Spanish history. I was happy that I made this splendid decision. Reading books about beautiful destinations is almost as good as traveling in my mind.
The writing style is nice and clear. It also is written very chronological which I really like in history books. The facts and the most important events are told in a pleasant way.
Even though I know already much about the history of Spain, I still learned many things from this book: "Spain: A History".
Read the complete review @ https://mycrazylifefullwithbooks.blog...
The writing style is nice and clear. It also is written very chronological which I really like in history books. The facts and the most important events are told in a pleasant way.
Even though I know already much about the history of Spain, I still learned many things from this book: "Spain: A History".
Read the complete review @ https://mycrazylifefullwithbooks.blog...
August 25, 2026
I wanted to give this 2 but, to be fair, the author does (for the most part) try to give a equal shake of the history being recounted. There are some moments of revisionist history but that's unsurprising these days. This is a summary which will give you a general feel for the history of Spain but does have to skip over a lot and rush a bit to accomplish that. I don't think you would be wasting your time reading this if you are new to the subject.
October 27, 2019
Good read, but, all history is.
I think the author was very sympathetic to liberal causes during the Spanish Civil War. Yet the author captured the pathos of Spain from its beginning through its trials to be ruled effectively, but was not.
I think the author was very sympathetic to liberal causes during the Spanish Civil War. Yet the author captured the pathos of Spain from its beginning through its trials to be ruled effectively, but was not.
November 12, 2019
Spain history
Well written brief history of Spain Easy to read and yet gave a nice overview of what can be a confusing series of monarchs and political movements. Great read prior to a visit. Could have been better with some post Franco content but enjoying as it is
Well written brief history of Spain Easy to read and yet gave a nice overview of what can be a confusing series of monarchs and political movements. Great read prior to a visit. Could have been better with some post Franco content but enjoying as it is
January 9, 2022
a concise history
Easy to read - it is a concise history touching all major events. The important part , which I felt, it ought to have covered , is the Spanish possessions in America and Asia.
Easy to read - it is a concise history touching all major events. The important part , which I felt, it ought to have covered , is the Spanish possessions in America and Asia.
May 21, 2017
History ends with Franco
This book provides a history of Spain but does not provide any history of modern day Spain. Basically ends in 1953.
This book provides a history of Spain but does not provide any history of modern day Spain. Basically ends in 1953.
December 23, 2019
Rather dry account of spanish history
January 2, 2020
A short but interesting history which filled in a lot of gaps for me. A good read before visiting Spain.
October 24, 2024
Great research resource.
June 13, 2016
Very high level overview with an abrupt end.
April 30, 2017
I read this on my way to, and while visiting Spain. Easy read, not too long, with highlights of Spanish History. This helped me understand the culture and attitudes of the people especially in Catalonia, where we were staying.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews