History of Spain, The

by Peter Pierson

Every school and public library should update its resources on Spain with this lively and succinct narrative of Spain's long and rich historical experience. Emphasizing people rather than abstract developments, this narrative makes Spanish history readable and engaging. Based on the most recent scholarship, it examines the politics, society, economy, and culture of Spain chronologically, focusing on the last two centuries. Pierson, a noted authority on Spanish history, traces Spain's foundations in the Roman empire and Muslim conquest to its golden age in the late Middle Ages, its subsequent decline, and its struggle to build a democratic government and modern economy following the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The work provides a timeline of events in Spanish history, brief biographies of key figures, and a bibliographic essay of interest to students and general readers.



An introductory chapter offers an overview of Spain today, its geography, government and politics, economy, religion, and culture. The next few chapters discuss its earliest cultures, its place in the Roman empire, its Christianization and years as a Germanic kingdom, and its incorporation in 711 C.E. by military conquest into the world of Islam. The energies developed in the Christian reconquest of Spain led to its embarkation on the conquest of an overseas empire in the Americas and the Philippines that lasted for more than 300 years and had a profound effect on global history. The interests of the Habsburg (1516-1700) and Bourbon (1700-1808, 1814-1868, and 1875-1931) dynasties on the Spanish throne made Spain a major player in European power politics into the years of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. By 1825, its resources drained, Spain painfully adjusted to straightened circumstances, endured civil wars and dictatorships, and struggled to build a democratic government and modern economy, which it has accomplished today.

Genres: History, Spain, Nonfiction, Travel

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Gemini · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Spain, or at least I used to until reading this book. Not only is it hard to keep up with all the people they mention in the several centuries they discuss but the way it's written isn't as easy to follow as I hoped. I will say I did learn alot about the Spaniards. All about the eradicating of those who were Moroccan in southern Spain. The religious wrath that came upon those who were not of Catholic faith. There were some seriously surprising things in there that I was not expecting. I am not a history person at all so maybe that's why I didn't get as much as expected out of this book. Then again I did learn about the ins & outs of Spain, the people, culture, various areas, dialects, etc.

[Samuel Pratt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a textbook so it can be dry, but that being said, for those who enjoy history it is a good read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star rating. This book is exactly what you'd expect. A general history of Spain from Early Antiquity to the Post-Cold War era. Well-paced throughout. If you want to learn more about Spain and aren't very well-versed in the country's history, this is a phenomenal place to start; will also open the door to further research into more specific topics if you so choose.

[Sean Gallagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a lot of interesting bits of information here, but overall this was pretty dry. However, that is to be expected since this is an account of the entire history of Spain condensed into less than 200 pages.

[Brynn De Bruyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. Technically a school book but I enjoyed it outside of that context. Spanish history is so interesting and Pierson told it in an entertaining, personal fashion that read like a drama.

Sometimes it was hard to follow all the back-and-forths but that’s just Spanish history for you

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books like this help explain why so many people hate history. Instead of using broad strokes to paint a picture of what Spain has been like for the past few thousand years, the book drowns the reader in detail (mostly political) and never shows what makes Spain what it is. It's hard to imagine the intended audience; readers who want the political minutiae will not be satisfied with the short space allotted to any particular event, and those who want to understand the big picture won't be able to find it in these pages. I was able to pull out a few interesting tidbits, but that was not enough.

[David Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book if, say, you just started dating a Spaniard and you were trying desperately to impress him/her and any relevant members of your beaux's social network. The book kind of traipses quickly through ancient history, electing rather to dwell mostly on the moorish occupation and Reconquista, and the modern era (i.e. leading up to, into, and out of the dicatorship and Civil War). It's concise enough to be a leisurely read. Don't expect to pursue a Ph.D. in Spanish history because of your reading.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

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