Reviews (4)

Battle Book
At great book if you want a military history of the "Splendid little war".The side bars make it interesting enough for the military history reader who just wishes to check the Spanish American War box. Since we conflict was more of a political/social event (US attitude twordswar/Yellow journalism/isolationism/birth of the US empire), you might wantto check out Musicant and Trask's books instead.

An Excellent one volume history of the Spanish-American War
If there is one space in your collection for a book on the Spanish American war, this one's it.Dr. Nofi does an excellent job covering all the campaigns of the war plus adding detailed background information.The book is written in a style that would suit the occasional history reader and satisfy the hard core history buff.I came across it while researching Dewey at Manila Bay and promptly bought it for my collection (all the other books went back to the library...).I loved the sidebar stories on the behind-the-scenes events (like the short bios of the major players plus stories like the "Civil War Veterans in the war", etc).My only complaint is that the campaign maps look like they were originally done in color then printed in grey scale for this edition (which lost some of the detail).I would recommend this as an starting point to read about the war.There are other books that cover some of the events with more detail (Chadwick comes to mind).But this is by far the best single source on the conflict.I actuall give it 4.5 stars!

Interesting & concise account of the Spanish-American War
This book is published by Combined Books in Pennsylvania and is presented in hardback with eight chapters, 352 pages, extensive Appendixes, maps, biographies, sidebars and illustrations. The book offers a clear and concise account of the Spanish - American War fought in 1898. The author reveals the reasons and circumstances leading up to this conflict after giving an account of Commodore George Dewey's attack on the Spanish squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasaron at Manila Bay on the 1st May 1898. Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. Latin America - Central America    5. Military - United States    6. Military History - Modern    7. Spanish-American War, 1898    8. United States - 19th Century/Turn of the Century    9. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    10. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    11. Spain    12. USA    13. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Artists, Architects, Photographers    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. History - General    5. Individual Architect    6. Individual architects    7. Spain   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Maritime History    7. Shipwrecks    8. Spainsh Main    9. Spanish Main    10. Treasure-trove    11. History / General    12. Ships & shipping: general interest    13. Spain   

Reviews (4)

Same old argument
When I was taking my Native American History class I discovered that there were two types of history.The first type dealt with Native Americans in a negative way the common steriotypes Native Americans were protrayed as dirty durnken and savage even in the modern average world.
Speaks to our times...
As eloquent as it is insightful.Barry Lopez moves us to see and question.A true gift from writer to reader.

The Rediscovery of North America
Time is a precious commodity, and it is hard to find time to do all that must be done. But, the short time that is needed to read this book will be well worth spending. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Description and travel    3. Discovery and exploration    4. Effect of human beings on    5. General    6. History    7. History: American    8. Influence    9. Nature    10. North America    11. North American    12. Spanish    13. United States - State & Local - General    14. American history    15. Nature / General   

Reviews (1)

Witness to First Encounters with the New World
Oviedo's book describes his first hand experience with the then recently discovered New World.He accompanied, in the early XVIth century, the first Europeans in their contact with the new peoples and lands of Central America, more specifically Nicaragua, making detailed and keen observations about the natives' social organization, their customs, and their interaction with the first Europeans.Through his narrative, one can feel the atonishment experienced by the natives when encountering the Europeans, and the latter's amazement when discovering these new peoples.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. Latin America - Central America    3. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Canary Islands    3. Guidebooks    4. History: World    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / Europe / Spain & Portugal   

Reviews (3)

Well researched and cited study of Gama's career; somewhat lacking in narrative storytelling
Vasco da Gama is one of the great heros of the Portuguese Age of Exploration. This book is a well written and very thorough look at his career and exploits, particularily the impact of political maneuvering within the Portuguese nobility at the time. The author has translated and cited many historic Portuguese writings.
A brilliant revisionist view of the discovery discourse..
Subrahmanyam's book on Vasco de Gama opens like a powerful opera with a nineteenth century ouverture by Mayerbeeer on one of the heroes of European exploration. One instantly remembers Said's use of Aida to illustrate hispoint about culture and imperialism, also at the heart of this book . It isa theoretically sophisticated book informed by Foucault and Said, whonevertheless are never in the foreground to cloud the real issues. There isno jargon to spoil the sophistication, yet the discourse aboutde Gama isslowly deconstructed as it unfolds as a biography, a portrait, a eulogy ,an opera and a heroic journey. It is no longer a European view of de Gama,but a more global one, where Middle Eastern and Indian merchants longabsent on the pages written in Europe play their role, at long last. Itlooks at the Portuguese arrival in India as a real historical event asopposed to leaving it a hymn to exploration and European imperialism. Thebook examines the construction of the Portuguese heroic myth of de Gamaoftenrepresented as a Christ like figure, followed by 12 apostles, aChristian hero who has left holy relics. It might infuriate some readers,but it will inform many others about a major chapter of history which hasremained, as the book title suggests a legend.A tour de force, and a mustread for serious historians. The best book I have read in a long time, anda real pleasure to read.

Vasco da Gama trip seen from an Indian perspective
While the book certainly merits praise for its extensive research, onecannot help but see that the author takes every opportunity to throw potshots at the Portuguese, failing in the process to highlight the merit thatthis trip had to the whole world. A more objective, less emotionalapproached would have greatly improved your work. Jos� Dores, Toronto,Canada5 September 1998 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Earth Sciences - Geography    4. Europe - Spain & Portugal    5. Expeditions & Discoveries    6. Historical - General    7. Science    8. ASIA    9. Biography: historical    10. Europe    11. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    12. Gama - Vasco da - 1469-1524    13. Geographical discovery & exploration    14. History / Europe / General   

Subjects:  1. 711-1516    2. Church history    3. Europe - Spain & Portugal    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Jimenez de Rada, Rodrigo,    8. Jimâenez de Rada, Rodrigo,    9. Medieval    10. Middle Ages, 600-1500    11. Spain    12. Western Europe - General    13. ca. 1170-1247    14. European history: c 500 to c 1500    15. History of religion    16. Religion / General    17. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (10)

To be read with caution
This book amasses a lot of information from different sources, apparently more interested in capturing the reader's attention at any cost rather than in giving accurate information. Some statements are a challenge to the basic facts of Portuguese history and a challenge to the basic notions of history periods in general. There is no such thing as a "pre-historic Lusitania" as this book says. In level of mediocrity this book is comparable to Ian Robertson's A Traveller's History of Portugal, two books to be read (if at all) with a good deal of caution.

Disturbingly inaccurate
This book makes statements that may be just a personal view but are presented in a manner that may suggest they are confirmed facts. It is so with statements on education and status. History is given inaccurate coverage too. You may find some faulty statements about well known periods of Portuguese history like the discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries and Salazar in the 20th century. Instead of this book I would like to recommend a more objective and informative work, Terry Payne's Portugal Matters, published by Education Matters. It covers geography, history, politics, culture, society and language. It also has interviews with Portuguese people coming from all walks of life

It gives you a strange picture of the people and the country
I have been to Portugal several times and have friends there. When I showed this book to my Portuguese friends they were very critical. A lot of wrong information, bias, etc. Not being a national, there is much I don't know, but in some points I can easily see good reasons for my friends' disapproval. Just to mention one of them, there is a whole section of the book on things like witchcraft and related practices. It makes the Portuguese look rather superstitious and unpleasant. This is the opposite of what I have experienced. They are quite open minded and easy to relate to. I think this book gives the wrong picture of the Portuguese people, and not a very nice one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Language    5. Latin America - South America    6. Portuguese    7. Portuguese Language    8. Social History    9. Foreign Language Study / Portuguese   

Reviews (1)

Different... in spite of it all
This is a very useful book for people with little knowledge of contemporary Spain. In keeping with the goals of the Interact Series, of which it is a volume, "Spain is Different" highlights basic cultural differences between Spain and the United States. (The title refers playfully to a much mocked tourist slogan from the 1960s.) This brief book is not a travel guide, nor does it offer much in terms of historical overview. Wattley-Ames does, however, explain in straight forward fashion basic dynamics of Spanish society that will be unfamiliar to many Americans. Her writing is clear and to the point. (After an introductory chapter that situates Spain in relationship to Europe, Latin America and the United States there follow chapters on Society and the Individual; Relationships; Language and Communication; Work; and, finally, Play.)For example, her four page summary of Spanish family relationships is, with one exception that I'll get to in a moment, right on target. Not only does she situate family life in a broad social context that will be helpful to Americans planning a visit or move to Spain, but she also points out common Spanish feelings about American families: "As for the American habit of moving to the other side of the country or the world without a backward glance, most Spaniards are both envious and dismayed." It's a perceptive and accurate observation. Now, for the exception: in the same section on the family, she has this to say about the thorny issue of child raising in an American-Spanish marriage: "The American is inevitably stricter than the Spaniard about mealtimes, snacks, treats, and naps. Spanish children typically enjoy large quantities of attention and few rules at home." This last sentence is true, but a Spanish parent, especially a mother, may find American eating habits and table manners decidedly lenient. (And as an American married to a Spaniard, well, maybe I'm the exception to Wattley-Ames' rule...)Wattley-Ames' text is judiciously sprinkled with Spanish words and expressions that serve to underscore observations. She is clearly knowledgeable of her subject matter and the book is free of significant errors, although I might quibble with some omissions. (Her discussion of regional languages and linguistic politics, for example, is a little misleading and too brief.) On the other hand, her observations on Spanish social life are particularly astute. Just as importantly, she is well aware of the dangers of generalization and stereotyping, and combats this intelligently by accompanying her observations with appropriate real life examples, proverbs, quotes from respected Spanish observers, etc. Of particular value are the chapter ending "encounters", which provide concrete examples of situations in which an American would benefit from having 'cultural literacy' regarding Spanish customs and behaviors. There is a brief bibliography that includes a valuable section on recent Spanish cinema. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Culture    2. Europe - Spain & Portugal    3. History - General History    4. National characteristics, Span    5. National characteristics, Spanish    6. Social Science    7. Social life and customs    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Spain    11. Cultural studies    12. International relations    13. Sociology, Social Studies    14. Travel & holiday guides   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (1)

Outstanding Survey of Sephardic/Oriental Jewry
The reviewer is a teacher.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. Jewish - General    5. Jews    6. Jews, Oriental    7. Sephardim    8. Spain    9. CABALA    10. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    11. JEWS_HISTORY    12. Jewish studies    13. Religion / Judaism / Kabbalah & Mysticism   

Reviews (7)

The other North American frontier, or should we say frontiers?
Frontiers, in the plural, might be better. While many of us may call to mind Santa Fe, or the Alamo, the Spaniards were settled in, or exploring or defending, many places in North America. Only tenuously connected to each other, these frontier areas included Florida, the Gulf Coast, Texas, New Mexico, California and Arizona.
Nice view of the other frontier
Well before English and French colonists in North America began their long struggle for dominance, the Spanish were sending expeditions into New Mexico and what would later become the Gulf States (Texas through Florida). A brief history of that period may be found in David Weber's The Spanish Frontier in North America.
Wonderful History of Spanish Colonial Frontier
This is an excellent history of the Spanish colonial experience in North America.Like most of us, I grew up thinking of England when the word "colonial" comes around.The Spanish coolonial history is just as fascinating and far more romantic than their counterparts.Weber's history should be required reading in our universities.Anyone remotely interested in colonial history will find this a pleasant diversion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. History - General History    3. History: American    4. North American    5. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    6. Colonization & independence    7. History / General    8. North America   

Reviews (8)

Religious Tolerance: 21st Century Pipedream?
Chris Lowney resurrects with much brio the fascinating history of Medieval Spain, which became the only Islamic state that ever prospered in mainland Europe for more than seven centuries.After a "blitzkrieg" military campaign, Muslim conquerors hailing from North Africa rolled back Christian rule on most of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 C.E.Christian rulers, who were understandably resentful of this occupation, launched their Reconquista from the north of the peninsula after infighting started weakening al-Andalus (the Arabic name for the Muslim-ruled part of Spain) in the eleventh century C.E.Al-Andalus disintegrated itself into more than two dozen rivaling small kingdoms by the 1030s C.E that over time became easy picks for united Christian conquerors.This rivalry among these kingdoms was also a blessing in disguise.
The richness that was Medieval Spain
A first class read for any history buff.Right up there with 'The Ornament of the World' by Maria Rosa Menocal.

Time to move on?
This is the third book I've read recently about the Iberian peninsula from the 700s to 1500s during the coexistence of the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I first read Reston's "Dogs of God" (see my review) mostly about the 1400s' Christian reconquest of Spain, and their abuse and expulsion of Jews and Muslims. I then read Menocal's "Ornament of the World" mostly about the flowering of al-Andalus beginning in the 700s under generally tolerant and progressive Muslims.
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Subjects:  1. 711-1516    2. Christians    3. Civilization    4. Ethnic relations    5. Europe - Spain & Portugal    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Medieval    10. Muslims    11. Spain    12. Toleration    13. History / Spain & Portugal   

Reviews (3)

An insightful book
Bartolome was a priest in the new world and the book in an attempt to show the abuses that the Spaniards committed against the indians and the damages done in the name of Gad and the King. This book is a historiography, but well written and a quick read.It presents a new facet of the conquest and is a direct contrast to the writings of Cortes.

this book is terrible
do not buy this book i was forced to read it for school it is soo boring.please take my advice do not waste your money , if you want to read a goodbook read A rasin in the sun, by lorainne hansberry it rules!

Great account of the fight for justice in young Mexico
This book is a short version of The Conquest of New Spain. In the Brief account, de las Casas explains the violence and injustice in which the natives were being treated by the spanish conquistadores. De las Casaswrites this account to show the king in Spain the way the army was tratingthe indians. It also shows the courage of the clergy to protect the rightsof the oppressed. De las Casas became the first bishop of Chiapas, the samearea in conflict today in southern Mexico where the Church keeps fightingfor justice for the poor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Colonies    3. Colonies And Colonization    4. General    5. History: World    6. Indians, Treatment of    7. Latin America    8. Latin America - General    9. Sociology    10. South America - History    11. Spain    12. United States - General    13. American history    14. Colonization & independence    15. History / United States / State & Local / Middle Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA)    16. South America    17. World history   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Eastern    2. Europe - General    3. History - General History    4. Travel   

Reviews (2)

Thorough and entertaining
This book treats the subject with an erudition and a level of detail proper of a scholar, yet in such an agile and balanced way that it doesn't bore a layman.
Excellent chronicle
This book provides an excellent chronicle of the actual engagement between the English and Spanish fleets. All the details of war (like the number of ships, men, even the quality of food carried on board) are here. Read more

Subjects:  1. Armada, 1588    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. Europe - Spain & Portugal    4. Great Britain    5. Historiography    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History, Naval    9. History: World    10. Military - Other    11. Naval History - Modern    12. Philip II, 1556-1598    13. Spain    14. Spain And Portugal - History    15. Tudors, 1485-1603    16. British & Irish history: c 1000 to c 1500    17. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    18. England    19. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    20. History / Spain & Portugal    21. Maritime history    22. Naval forces & warfare    23. c 1500 to c 1600   

Reviews (2)

Spain at War
This is an internationally-renowned study of Spain's Flanders Army during the 80 year effort to suppress the Dutch Revolt. And justly famous it is too - due to the depth and care with which the anaysis is done, as Parker covers all the logistical problems encountered by early modern Spain, inlcuding finance, supply, recruitment, morale - pretty much everything you would need to know about the difficulties of military organisation in the period.
The last hurrah before Rocroi
This is one of those magnificent books for the specialist that stay below the radar of a general readership in History. The short narrative of the attack on the fortress of Maastricht is the stuff of martial legends, and worth the price of the book. G. Parker has become the foremost historian in English of Spain in 16th & 17th Century and specifically of the 30 Years War. This splendid monograph is the gold on the background of the Tercio's banners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    6. History / Europe / General    7. Netherlands    8. War & defence operations    9. c 1500 to c 1600    10. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (12)

Like Watching The Movie..
If you liked the movie the ROUGH RIDERS starring Tom Berringer at "TR", you will enjoy this book. It was apparent that Berringer and crew did their homework as many parts of the movie are found in the book almost word-for-word. Much detail.
An American icon's personal view of the Spanish-American War
"The Rough Riders," by Theodore Roosevelt, is the author's memoir of his experiences as part of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American War.The book's title comes from the nickname earned by the unit.The copyright page notes that the text was originally published in 1899.TR tells about the recruitment and training of the Rough Riders, their voyage to Cuba, their battles, and their return home.
The Boys and Men Who Charged Up San Juan Hill with Teddy
They came from all over the United States and the Western Territories. They were Ivy Leaguers, Cowboys, Indians, Sheriffs, Outlaws, Civil War veterans, Indian fighters, businessmen. Men like Allyn Capron, Buckey O'Neill, (future Secretary of the Navy) Frank Knox, Hamilton Fish, the famed Indian fighter Leonard Wood, and of course the bespectacled Assistant Secretary of the Navy, former New York Police Commissioner and sometime cowboy named Theodore Roosevelt.
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Subjects:  1. Army    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military - Other    7. Military - United States    8. Military - Veterans    9. Personal narratives    10. Regimental histories    11. Spanish-American War, 1898    12. United States    13. United States - 19th Century/Turn of the Century    14. United States - Reconstruction Period (1865-1877)    15. Volunteer Cavalry, 1st    16. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    17. History / Military / General    18. Roosevelt, Theodore    19. USA   

Editorial Review

Saint Teresa (1515-1582) is widely considered one of the greatest mystics and woman reformers of the Renaissance. Author Cathleen Medwick (a former editor at Read more

Reviews (22)

Very good introduction to the woman and the saint and her time
It's very well written, clear, and gives an overview of what was going on during her time.It gives you a good picture of how Teresa was and how savvy she was in her dealings with the church and the male leaders.She was a woman navigating in a male dominated world -- something every woman can identify with.I would absolutely recommend this as a great introduction to a very interesting saint.

Doesn't "get" Teresa
One of the hardest things for biographers to do is to convey the personality and essence of their subject while still effectively describing the chronology of the person's life. This book focuses almost entirely on the latter. Teresa was a woman of extraordinary humor and intelligence, one of the great wits of the Church, yet this book seems mostly concerned with cataloguing even the most temporary contacts she had with other people. Clearly the author did a huge amount of research into the Spain of Teresa's day. But it comes across as though she felt compelled to include every last name her research turned up, often without explanation as to who the person was in the larger context of Teresa's life.
Biography of Teresa as historical figure
I think that Medwick may have written a book that will manage to completely please very few people who read it. While it talks about the development of her spiritual history as a historical event, it is not a book that focuses on Teresa as mystic visionary. On the other hand, while it contains much historical background and fact, it also elides and skips over much that would have been interesting-- presumably in the interest of making it a quicker read appealing to a broader audience. While I was fine with the direction Medwick chose (there has been enough said about Teresa as mystic) I felt like some sections were frustratingly incomplete and occasionally the treatment of the background was too superficial.
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Subjects:  1. 1515-1582    2. Avila    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Christian saints    7. Christianity - Catholicism    8. Historical    9. Religion    10. Religious    11. Spain    12. Specific Members Of Religious Congregations And Orders    13. Teresa,    14. Women    15. of Avila, Saint,    16. Biography & Autobiography / Women    17. Saints & hagiography    18. Teresa   

Reviews (3)

A fun book for a sailor
A lot of great adventurers came back to write a book--Marco Polo, Julius Caeser, William Bligh, Neil Armstrong (well, with the help of Life Magazine).People seem to be the same throughout history.They'll go off on a great adventure, come home, and write a book about it.While Columbus' book (his log) as well as his body, evidently, are currently lost, this book sure seems realistic.It was a lot of fun trying to duplicate his voyage with modern charts to see if I could figure out his first landfall and any sailor will have fun doing the same since Columbus discovered the sailing routes still used.
indispensable for the student of the voyage....
....and very easy to read.The English translation is very clear and put together from sources other than Las Casas, whose facts weren't always straight.For some reason the paragraphs are all center-justified and taper out oddly.Various theories about Columbus's landfall are discussed. Columbus Log
Fuson translated (and reconstructed where necessary) the logs of Columbus.Loaded with pictures, maps and explanatory comments this work gives us alook at the famous explorer in his own words. I'd guess this is the bestand closest one could get to a primary source for Columbus's journals. This would be a great resource for teachers and students who cover theDiscovery.Too bad it's out of print ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Columbus, Christopher    4. Diaries    5. Discovery And Exploration (General)    6. Discovery and exploration    7. Explorers    8. History - General History    9. North American    10. Spain    11. Spanish