España: A Brief History of Spain

What was the Reconquista, and how was that related to Columbus and the European colonization of the Americas? Hapsburgs, Bourbons – how were these families connected to other European nations and to the European balance of power? What about the Spanish Civil War? And what happened to Spain, which fell from being the most powerful nation in Europe to a poor and miserable dictatorship led by Francisco Franco in the mid-20th century? Where does that leave Spain today? This book connects these and many other threads, giving readers a concrete understanding of the various forces and influences that shape Spanish culture and identity, although even today, many inhabitants of Spain still view themselves more as members of separate and even competing nationalities rather than as citizens of one cohesive nation.||Short, focused chapters keep the narrative moving, and photos and reproductions introduce readers to the personalities and glorious artworks that are part of Spanish patrimony. The contributions by and persecutions of marginalized groups are also recognized, giving balance to Spain’s complicated legacy. While occasionally the timeline gets confusing, for the most part, this is an excellent introduction to a long and intricate history that extends over thousands of years.