Rating: 
Summary: A good overview
Review: All in all, given that the book is fairly short, it was a very thorough overview of 2000+ years of history.I read this book prior to a trip to Spain to try to get a little historic background prior to the trip and I think it really made a difference by placing many of the sites that we ended up seeing into a greater perspective. I had only two complaints:
1) I found Mr. Williams to be somewhat biased toward Spain. While this probably makes the reading better (because he seems to care tremendously about the topic and conveys this in his writing style), it was a little over-the-top. He seemed particularly harsh in downplaying the Moorish society in favor of what followed; and,
2) I would have liked more detail on the Spanish Civil War and the Franco era as it has so greatly shaped modern Spain. I found this section confusing overall. All in all though, this was a comprehensive overview read on a long and fascinating history and I would recommend it for this purpose.
Rating: 
Summary: A History-Reader Must
Review: Being an avid student of history, I found the book "The Story of Spain" by Mark Williams a magnificently well written, factual, unbiased, and complete synthesis of Spain's complex history compiled in less than a 300-page volume. Yet, it covers with amazing detail from pre-historical times to our very present. Many are the merits of this outstanding book. For one, instead of presenting a succession of dry historical facts as is often the case, this book is written in such a fluid and exciting manner that the reader gets passionately involved in its lecture as if going through the most intriguing fiction drama hard to set aside. Further, internal events and external influences are precisely narrated to convey their progressive impact in forging the unique, often tragicomic, always dramatic Spanish personalities - the reader clearly understands each new development as a natural result of a prior build up. Furthermore, from beginning to end, all its historical and cultural protagonists are vividly presented as true human beings, with their predominant characteristics but also with their strengths and weaknesses skillfully outlined by well-selected phrases, back-and-forth comparisons, and anecdotes. But its principal merit in my opinion is the extraordinary ability of this author in grabbing the undivided attention of the reader, walking effortlessly through some 15,000 years while impressing a remarkable sense of perspective that other authors require volumes to convey. Humbly conceived by its author for the educational enjoyment of English-speaking tourists, it is pitiful that such a jewel has not been translated into the Spanish language as serious history students in Spain and Latin American could gain much insightful knowledge. Having read lots of books on this topic (Madariaga, Menendez-Pidal, Castro, S. Albornoz... as well as Livermoor, Carr, Bertrand...), I emphatically recommend this brief "story" as superbly narrated, highly perceptive, and very comprehensive.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner
Review: I found "The Story of Spain" to be a highly readable, informative book about a very complex subject. So I was puzzled by another, quite mean-spirited review attacking the book. Spanish history lite? Well, telling the entire exciting story in under 300 pages must have been a challenge, but Williams was up to the task as all other reviewers agree. The John Crow book, "Spain: The Root and the Flower," is also excellent, if a bit more academic in approach, and would make a good follow up for those wanting another perspective. In fact, Williams himself cites it as a source for further reading. Regarding the use of an identical quotation, that must be common in history books. I doubt if Mr. Crow was there to hear the words direct from the saint! (He too copied it from somewhere.) And in fact Williams acknowledges using Crow and many other traditional sources (the usual boring history) to tell "the story" with breathtaking clarity. The scholarship must be sound as well, if so many professors have endorsed it. Indeed, Williams' book has been highly praised by Dr.Paul Smith, who used it for several years in a course he taught for the Spanish department at U.C.L.A. That's the same place where Mr. Crow once taught, I believe. Yet it's "The Story of Spain" that was selected. To me, that says a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Very good overview
Review: I got this book to prepare for a tourist trip to Spain. It gives a very good overview of the history of Spain starting from prehistoric times up to about the mid-1990's. The more modern history is understandably rather cursory. The Spanish Civil War was a bit confusing with the multiple political parties and really requires it's own book to understand. The author gives a small biography on each time period for futher reading. The best feature of this book is that after each chapter the author gives tourist sites related to each historic period. For example after the Roman history chapter, he lists sites with Roman ruins and how it relates to what you just read. This makes the book a good reference to bring along on the trip. It you plan a tourist trip to Spain and only have time for one book, this would be the one to pick up.
Rating:
Summary: Great, Brief History
Review: I picked this up right after it came out in the US after spending a long time looking for a history "survey" Spain. I have read a lot abut the country in Spanish classes, but wanted it all in one place.
This book was well written, easily read (as opposed to the dry stuff you normally find) and pretty comprehensive. Definetely a survey that offers you options if you want a more in-depth view on a time period. The travel info helps too.
Overall, a good read and serves it purpose very well.
Rating: 
Summary: Avoid This Pamphlet
Review: Mark R. Williams could have written a wonderful book, especially for vacationers whose main interest is not traveling for the sheer joy of it, but mainly in order to improve their conversational skills. People who want to sprinkle their coffee with trivia would find a lot to say about the "Spanish Character" in this little treatise on prejudice and racism. Unfortunately, there is a lot of factual error. Those trying to impress their friends with quotes taken out of this book will be the laughing stock of their listeners. For instance, the author says that Cortes married the Cuban governor's daughter, which never happened.
Mr. Williams wasted his time studying history. He never understood the lessons of this wonderful discipline. To beguine with, he lacks the most elementary attitude any social scientist has to have -the quest for objectivity. He chooses to believe every myth that suits his purposes and discard those that don't. I am aware that a judgment so harsh has to be backed up. There is plenty of evidence to show but it would consume more space than I have at my disposal. As a mere example let me quote some of the sensational material included. Felipe II -He assures us- "had several statues of himself made, some with moveable limbs. These would be hauled out whenever a crowd or foreign delegation was deemed unworthy of his attentions and propped up at a safe distance from the throngs, who never suspected that they were cheering a dummy." Mr. Williams entertains a very low concept of his readers indeed! Racism is abundant as well. He manages to offend not only the Spaniards, but the whole of Latin America. According to his unlimited arrogance, "Spaniards found Indian Civilizations that they considered backward and inferior. It was the same "superiority complex" of every colonial power throughout history and NOT COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED." Can a "scholar" fail to understand the effects of geographical isolation? I could go on and on. If you are a serious reader avoid this cheap pamphlet.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Overview fo Spanish History
Review: Mark Williams' The Story Of Spain is very well written and is easy to read. As a native of Spain who moved to America as a child, I have always longed for knowing more about the country of my birth. The history of Spain is complicated and verbose and I have made several attempts in the past at reading lengthy Spanish-text volumes on the subject only to put them down without completing them. I liken it to trying to read the entire Old and New Testaments - I just never seem to be able to get all the way through. That was not the case with Mark Williams' book. It grabbed my attention and kept it throughout the book. Having seen the volumes and volumes that make up the history of Spain, I understood that many of the details, albeit a lot of it boring was missing from his book. What the book did for me is instill a greater hunger to maybe get through one of the larger, more detailed volumes I have at home. Moreover, what Mark said about "Spain is different" is right on the mark. A Spaniard like me knows exactly what he means and I acknowledge him for making this fact known. Now if Mark would be so kind as to write a similarly captivating book on the Basques and the Basque Country in France/Spain I would be grateful.
Rating:
Summary: THE Story of Spain
Review: The Story of Spain by Mark Williams is an excellent history summary of Spain. In less than 300 (although large) pages, he can portray the history of Spain ("Europe's Most Fascinating Country") interestingly and in-depth. All points of Spanish history are touched on. Williams fully details the stories of the Iberians, the Romans in Iberia, Moorish Spain and Al-Andalus, the Reconquest, the Inquisition, the French Century, and 20th Century Spain. If you are looking to get a good handle on the history of Spain, I would recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Go for Carr's "Spain: A History" Instead
Review: This book is a cursory view of Spain's history. It is very easy to read, but I was a little put off when I found a historical inaccuracy in the very first Chapter. Williams suggests that the ancient Iberians "probably" crossed from North Africa, when the most accurate and current research (analyzing the metallurgical, agricultural, and linguistic customs of the Iberians) points conclusively to the fact that the Iberians had immigrated from the EAST VIA THE DANUBE VALLEY IN EUROPE. I admire Williams' love of Spain, a country that I adore as well; regardless, historical anomalies get on my nerves. I recommend Raymond Carr's book, Spain: A History instead.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and superior survey History of Spain
Review: This engagingly written survey History of Spain hits the spot. Williams has a lot of material and a heck of a lot of conflict to cover, and he does it well. He starts in pre-history and is about as detailed as you can get for a survey. I had never heard of the Tartessos and the Guanches before, and though I don't know too much about them now, at least I have some idea of who they are. Williams covers the Roman empire and the influence of the Punic Wars. Barcelona was named after the royal family that included Hannibal, for example. He also explains the birth of Christianity, adding that Pontius Pilate was born in what is now Tarragona, and moves on to the fall of the Western Empire, the triumph of the Visigoths, complete with gorey detail and the arrival of the Moors. At first the History of Spain is the tale in great part of the Iberian peninsula. Before the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella, the central kingdom of Castille might have united with Portugal rather than Aragon. The chapter on the Renaissance is probably the best written, illustrating vividly how Spain brought together such diverse characters as Martin Luther, Suleiman the Magnificent, the Tudors of England and Montezuma of Mexico in one Century. Williams also discusses the evolution of Art and Literature throughout the book, never omitting to show that Titian, El Greco, Cervantes, Velasquez, Goya, Dali, Picasso, Miro, Machado and the like are responsible for diffusing and creating the glory that is Spanish culture, and sometimes too that which is not so Glorious. Williams doesn't neglect the Inquisition, how could he, but explains its birth, transmutations and really odd 'finish.' He also does well in explaining the lackluster years of the 19th century and the birth of modern Spain, with revolutions, 'pronunciamentos' and finally civil war, and the emergence of Franco. He explains regional unrest and is particularly good at showing how Catalonia and the Basque regions developed differently than other regions. He keeps the personality of monarchs and political leaders in sight, so much so, that if I were a Bourbon I might be insulted. In fact, this well-written and informative survey really only has one flaw, that is, more or less understandable given the subject. It seems slightly biased, a little too pro-spanish. Although Williams doesn't shrink from showing the flaws of leaders, he does however spend a great deal on what is called apparently "The Black Legend," the literary view of Spaniards as villains. While this is certainly desirable, it seems perhaps he goes too far, or that a bias permeates the book. He says the legend began with a hyperbolic monk in the Americas who exaggerated the abuse and murder of native americans by the conquistadors. While he handily refutes the claims of this one man, there are still some things which seem questionable. As early in the chapters on the moors for example, one wonders if the cruelty and debauchery he attributes to their most perverse monarchs doesn't find similar outlets in the worst of the Christian monarchs. He flatly states that many of the agricultural innovations of the Moors were really Roman innovations carried over by them. He rather underplays the cruelty of the Inquisition by saying it wasn't particularly bad or 'unjust' for the time, and that there were more Religious murders in England than during the Inquisition. This, while not out of the question, seems at least very arguable. He calls Phillip II's enemy, the Dutch leader, William of Orange, 'an essentially corrupt figure,' but doesn't mention how so or if there would be those who disagree with this assessment. In one refutation of 'the Black Legend' he gives the intermarriage between Spanish and native peoples in the New World as proof that the view is unjust. Obviously a simple smear is going to be unjust, but simply allowing intermarriage between a colonizing and colonized doesn't prove that there are no abuses going on. It is not that he doesn't have a point (one he's not alone in making) but it's an oversimplified one. He doesn't mention incredible caste systems that exist in Latin America, or that the 'Indian Leaders' of those countries could only come to power after great civil unrest and oppositions by the 'Spaniards.' And he has one really shocking line about native americans in Northern countries eking out their pathetic existence on reservations. While the reader will see his point, the very phraseology seems disrespectful of the native americans, as though they have no will or hope to overcome their oppression and as though there aren't people working on this problem even now. But that of course is not really a judgement about Spain itself. So, in spite of the fact that you may want to take some of Williams assessments or even his adoration of Spain with a grain of salt, this is still an excellent survey. There is much to learn and be introduced to, and Williams tackles the job with gusto. Each chapter ends with a list of sites germaine to the period, and the maps, of the Iberian portion of Spain only, are quite explanatory. This book is a singularly satisfying reading experience that really gives a first grade impression of a powerful culture. Certainly read this if you are planning on travelling there, or while you are travelling there. This would make an excellent companion to The Lonely Planet Spain which is really an excellent guidebook.
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