The Story of Spain

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone interested in the history of Spain.
Review: This is a wonderful book. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly readable history
Review: With this book, Williams has created that rarity of rarities--an extremely readable, almost even enjoyable history of a country and its peoples. Never heavy-handed, and never too academic or wordy for his audience, Williams gives us a concise but thorough history of one of the most lovable countries on the planet. I head a study-abroad program to Spain each year for college students, and this is their text--they find it interesting and stimulating and accessible, three of the strongest criteria for successful books there are. Plus, I know that they're getting everything they need for a basic survey of the history and culture of Spain. I highly recommend this book for anyone who's interested in the country; you'll need something else if you want to get into great detail about particular kings or tyrants or political or artistic movements, but this book is a beautiful basic intro.

Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly readable history
Review: With this book, Williams has created that rarity of rarities--an extremely readable, almost even enjoyable history of a country and its peoples. Never heavy-handed, and never too academic or wordy for his audience, Williams gives us a concise but thorough history of one of the most lovable countries on the planet. I head a study-abroad program to Spain each year for college students, and this is their text--they find it interesting and stimulating and accessible, three of the strongest criteria for successful books there are. Plus, I know that they're getting everything they need for a basic survey of the history and culture of Spain. I highly recommend this book for anyone who's interested in the country; you'll need something else if you want to get into great detail about particular kings or tyrants or political or artistic movements, but this book is a beautiful basic intro.