The Medieval Spains

Rating:
Summary: Useful starting-point
Review: A clear and informative overview of both sides of the religious and territorial divide in medieval Spain. Not is the focus solely on military and political details, although these things are paid due attention; Reilly also takes in culture, society and technology to paint a broad picture of Muslim, Christian and Jewish life in Iberia. A great place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant clear and helpful
Review: Before reading this I had little notion of Spanish history. Afterwards I'd become fascinated with not just Spain but much related history in the whole region and as far afield as Iran. Great general reading yet specialised enough for atext book. Bravo.

Rating:
Summary: Concise yet broad introduction
Review: Bernard Reilly would have a difficult time convincing anyone that he is an exciting writer. Fortunately for us, he is a good writer. Reilly manages to give a solid omniscient introduction to an obscure topic in just over two hundred pages. If the book were any longer it would be difficult to get through; if it were any shorter it would not be as informative.

What is unique about Reilly's book is that it takes an omniscient view of medieval Spain. Most books tend either to concentrate on Al-Andalus or on the Christian states in the north. Here, each is represented (althought the Christian states do seem to get more attention) well. Reilly spends plenty of time on the "fun stuff" of history, but also on the economic, legal, and religious issues.

As I alluded to above, this book is dry. It is, however, necessary. So pick it up, get through it, and then you will be able to move on to some of the more exciting books on the subject (Hugh Kennedy's, for example).

Rating:
Summary: Concise yet broad introduction
Review: Bernard Reilly would have a difficult time convincing anyone that he is an exciting writer. Fortunately for us, he is a good writer. Reilly manages to give a solid omniscient introduction to an obscure topic in just over two hundred pages. If the book were any longer it would be difficult to get through; if it were any shorter it would not be as informative.

What is unique about Reilly's book is that it takes an omniscient view of medieval Spain. Most books tend either to concentrate on Al-Andalus or on the Christian states in the north. Here, each is represented (althought the Christian states do seem to get more attention) well. Reilly spends plenty of time on the "fun stuff" of history, but also on the economic, legal, and religious issues.

As I alluded to above, this book is dry. It is, however, necessary. So pick it up, get through it, and then you will be able to move on to some of the more exciting books on the subject (Hugh Kennedy's, for example).

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Reilly's The Medieval Spains is chock full of details and dates that might daze a reader unfamiliar with the history of Muslim Spain. However, it is a very useful and thorough history, and I do recommend it for its strong scholarship and for the way it's set up: the chapters are divided into sections like general history(dates, rulers, etc.) and culture.

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Reilly's The Medieval Spains is chock full of details and dates that might daze a reader unfamiliar with the history of Muslim Spain. However, it is a very useful and thorough history, and I do recommend it for its strong scholarship and for the way it's set up: the chapters are divided into sections like general history(dates, rulers, etc.) and culture.