Reviews (1)

15th century demons from hell
Like most dover press books, we have here a wonderful bargain: clearreproductions and good paper stock. Goya was a court painter trying toplease his patrons, but in this series of etchings, he indulged his twistedsoul in the first recorded anti war propaganda. These etchings are bothlovely in their technique and horrifying in their imagery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. European    3. History    4. History: World    5. Individual Artist    6. Napoleonic Conquest, 1808-1813    7. Pictorial works    8. Spain    9. Art / Fine Arts    10. Individual artists    11. Rococo art   

Reviews (2)

Reasonably Good Survey of America's Small Wars
Musicant has worked together a series of small histories of Western Hemisphere campaigns by America during the last 100 years; his is a wonderfully researched and well-told history.He takes us through the various Cuban and Haitian dramas; wars in Nicaragua and Panama, plus the the Dominican Republic emergency and, finally, the Grenada invasion.In every case there is an intiial effort to explain the politics, followed by an accessible description of the campaign.I fine work that enables people to understand both the politics of Western Hemisphere intervention, plus the military realities.I found the Grenada invasion chapter the best.

Banana Wars a Bonanza
This excellent title describes in good detail the small wars that the United States Marine Corps was involved in from 1898-1989 in the Caribbean.Mr. Musicant (a former Marine himself) weaves a well-written tale, which is primarily focused in the military situation, but adding just enough of the political background so that one who has little or no knowledge on the subject comes away with a full understanding of our involvement in these "banana wars".Recommended reading! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Diplomatic History    2. Caribbean Area    3. History - Military / War    4. International Relations    5. Intervention (International la    6. Intervention (International law)    7. Military    8. Military - General    9. Military policy    10. Relations    11. United States   

Reviews (13)

A sad reality about Colombia
Noticia de un secuestro is one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez most dry books in terms of the literary style used. It could be because the theme does not allow for much variety but just an honest recount of the truth. The book gives the reader a realistic view of daily Colombian life, a country that has struggled with guerrilla warfare and drug trafficking for the past forty years and more. The protagonists of the book are the victims of the kidnappers and throughout the book we learn about the cruel reality of these people who have changed the life of many Colombians by use of violence and cruel killings without mercy. I think the book was well written with revealing details of how the victims feel (mentally and physically) and how their families suffer when they are forced to negotiate with the drug dealers etc. for the safe return of their family members. Also, we clearly see the role that the government plays in the rescue process. The style used by the author is very journalistic, thus making the book and story very dry in comparison to his other literary works. However, perhaps this style was chosen simply because this is the reality of Colombias daily crisis. The book is excellent, has much eye-opening information and is a wonderful read if you wish to learn more about the socio-economic problems of this great South American country. Arriba Colombia.

excelente obra narrativa
Noticia de un secuestro VIOLENCE IN A WONDERFUL COUNTRY
This book is really interesting, because tell us the political and social problems of one of the most important countries in latinamerica: Colombia. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Politics - Latin America    2. Criminology    3. General    4. International Relations - General    5. Political Terrorism    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Social Science    8. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    9. History / South America   

Reviews (1)

Strong use of a good source
William Christian takes the long-overlooked results of a survey of local religous practice by Philip II, and draws an interesting picture of 16th c. popular religion in Castile.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Catholic Church    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Christianity - History - Catholic    5. Church History    6. Europe - Spain & Portugal    7. History    8. Religion    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Religious life and customs    11. Social Science    12. Spain    13. History-Europe - Spain & Portugal    14. Religion-Christianity - Catholicism    15. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    16. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural   

Reviews (7)

The Inquisition as a crime of racism
The 'Inquistion' was one of the great disasters of Jewish history, involving the slaughter and torture of tens of thousands of innocent people. In this work of historical narrative and analysis the origins of the racist anti- Semitism that characterize the behavior of late fifteenth century Spain the beginning of the process is traced to the Egypt of525 A.D.
highly speculative
Of the many books and periodical articles that I have read concerning the Spanish Inquisition, this is the most biased and speculative and opinionated.I would not recommend this book to anyone.It is extremely long and tedious. We realize that the Inquisition was shameful. However, this work substitutes one prejudice for another.

Even less confusion
It's true that Benzion Netanyahu is not the former Israeli PM; the former Israeli PM, however, is his son.Notice the poignant dedication to his other son, Jonathan, who was one of the Israeli commandos on the Entebbe raid. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antisemitism    2. Christian converts from Judais    3. Christian converts from Judaism    4. Christianity - General    5. Europe - Spain & Portugal    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Inquisition    10. Jewish - General    11. Jews    12. Judaism - General    13. Medieval Church (476-1517)    14. Religion    15. Spain    16. Christianity    17. European history: c 500 to c 1500    18. History / Spain & Portugal    19. Religion / History    20. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. General    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. 20th century    6. Anthropology    7. Cultural studies    8. European history: c 1750 to c 1900    9. European history: from c 1900 -    10. History / General    11. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    12. Spain    13. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. 1510-1554    2. Coronado, Francisco Vasquez d    3. Coronado, Francisco Vâasquez de,    4. Discovery and exploration    5. Expeditions & Discoveries    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. North American    10. Sources    11. Southwest, New    12. Spanish    13. To 1848    14. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    15. Geographical discovery & exploration    16. Mexico    17. Western & Pacific Coast states   

Reviews (2)

By far the best history of the Spanish Civil War
I am also amazed at how little reviewed (and read?-I hope not!) this book has been. As a Spaniard with close knowledge of the events, I can say Jackson has done the best job to date of tracing the political and social developments that led to the conflict, and of describing the uprising itself and the conduct of the military and propaganda operations. Infinitely better than Hugh Thomas' and every other account. By the way, if you'd rather read a first-hand narrative, Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" is much better than Hemingway's.

Best single-volume study of Republic and Civil War
I am astounded that no one has yet reviewed this book.Originally published in 1965, it remains the classic center-left interpretation of the Republic and Civil War.It is balanced, well researched and comprehensive.For those looking for a more conservative treatment of this period, see Stanley Payne's "Spain's First Democracy." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Republic, 1931-1939    6. Spain    7. European History    8. European history: from c 1900 -    9. History / Spain & Portugal   

Reviews (1)

Exception reference now at an afforadable price
Now that this major contribution to the history and culture of Andalusian Spain during the heyday of high medieval Muslim culture is available in a paper edition, this text should be considered for course work as there is quite simply no other resource like it in English that attempts to provide a fulsome account of Islam in Spain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Islam - History    6. Medieval    7. Muslims    8. Spain And Portugal - History    9. European history: c 500 to c 1500    10. Islam    11. Islamic studies    12. Spain    13. c 1000 CE to c 1500    14. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (2)

Good introduction
Kennedy's book is a great introduction to the political history of Muslim Iberia.Densely packed with information, the book could have used more maps and lexcionic information.If you are not already familiar with the general outline of the situation in medieval Iberia (either from an encyclopedia or a survey of the Middle Ages), you may want to become so before tackling Kennedy's work.This book should serve as a foundation for building a larger and more detailed understanding through future reading.

A condensed summary of events from a different perspective
Hugh Kennedy attempts to summarize nearly eight centuries of complex History into a little over 300 pages. The result is a tedious, incomplete yet interesting read.Read more

Subjects:  1. 711-1516    2. Europe - Spain & Portugal    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Islamic History    7. Muslims    8. Portugal    9. Spain    10. Spain And Portugal - History    11. Colonization & independence    12. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    13. History / General    14. Islamic studies    15. Social history    16. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

Spanish Inquisition
Even the Introduction was terrific.I have heard many stories about the Inquisition but I gained so much more knowledge while being very well entertained.A great book

Terror is frequently correlated with envy and religion
Discussion of the Spanish Inquisition usually invokes emotions of disgust or anger, but also an appreciation of how precious it is to be able to pick up a book or express an opinion without fear of being either tortured or killed by government authorities. Therefore reading a book on the topic can be difficult at times, if one focuses on the brutality of the methods used and the zeal in which they were. This book, by comparison with most others on the Spanish Inquisition, is very short, but it does introduce the reader to the reasons for it and its historical legacy.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Western Europe - General    7. History / General   

Subjects:  1. 1515-1582    2. Avila    3. Avila (Spain)    4. Biography    5. Christian saints    6. General    7. Religion    8. Religion - Socialissues    9. Spain    10. Teresa,    11. of Avila, Saint,    12. Christianity    13. World history: c 1500 to c 1750   

Reviews (1)

The history of a country in a nutshell
This history of Portugal contains a remarkable amount of information for such a small book, small enough to go into your pocket or handbag. It covers the pre-history of Portugal and the founding of the country in the 12th century and its history all the way to the end of the 20th century. I like this book because it is so informative, concise and readable. It also has lots of illustrations including very clear maps. Another aspect I like in this history is that it is very objective, no bias in favour or against the country. This is the best history of Portugal I know and I would recommend to anyone interested in this subject. Great value for money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. History - General History    3. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    4. Places & peoples: general interest    5. Portugal   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Antiquities    3. Antiquities, Prehistoric    4. Congresses    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Portugal    8. Prehistoric Archaeology    9. Social change    10. Spain    11. Europe    12. European archaeology    13. Social Science / Archaeology   

Reviews (9)

Outstanding!
In this tremendously important book, Catholic historian William Thomas Walsh successfully destroys one of the greatest myths of history, that of the perfidy of the Inquisiton.He does this in remarkable fashion, starting with the venerable Moses as the first Inquisitor, then describing the papal Inquistions, and finally devoting the bulk of the corpus of his important work to the much maligned and little understood Spanish Inquisition.
Busting the myths of the Inquisition
Trying to find a Catholic apology for the Inquisition in the English language, or even an objective work for that matter, is a difficult prospect. Hundreds of years of anti-Catholic scholarship, hyperbole and outright fabrication has left the world with a notion of the Inquisition that allows it to be mentioned along side Hitler's Holocaust and Stalin's Gulags as singular historical atrocities.
Nobody Accepts the Spanish Inquisition!
This book is a bit dated, but useful nonetheless.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. History    4. Inquisition    5. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    6. Spain    7. Religion & Beliefs   

Reviews (4)

Monterey: Furnishings of California's Spanish Revival
Nice referane book.Great examples of the product.A must buy book for collectors as well as finge enthusists.Would love to see more great work.

Fun stuff
Roger Renick did a fine job pulling together pieces for the lovely book (and the show at the Santa Monica Historical Society was terrific). Some of the pieces featured are rare treasures, indeed, and it says alot that those who are passionate about Monterey shared their collections. Having written about Monterey Furniture and met some fascinating -- and always fun loving-- collectors, I was happy to see a book on the subject. ...

The wait for a guide to Monterey & Spanish Revival is over!
This wonderful book guides you through the history of Monterey and SpanishRevival furniture in pictures and text. Both Monterey and Spanish Revivalstyles have been long overlooked in standard furniture guides. This book isstraight forward, informative, and contains numerous color photos offurniture, artwork and pottery. A great guide for identification ofmanufacturers and finishes! The only thing that would possibly make thisbetter is a price guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. California    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - General    6. Exhibitions    7. Furniture    8. General    9. History    10. House & Home    11. Mason Manufacturing Company    12. Antique furniture    13. Colorado   

Subjects:  1. 1809-1882    2. Darwin, Charles,    3. Evolution (Biology)    4. General    5. Government - International    6. History    7. History & Theory - General    8. Influence    9. Latin America    10. Life Sciences - Biology - General    11. Life Sciences - Evolution    12. Organic Evolution    13. Philosophy Of Science    14. Politics / Current Events    15. Science    16. Science/Mathematics    17. Spain    18. Evolution    19. History of science    20. Political Science / History & Theory    21. Portugal   

Subjects:  1. Alumbrados    2. Church history    3. History    4. Inquisition    5. Maps & Road Atlases    6. Modern Church (1648-    7. Mysticism    8. Reference    9. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    10. Renaissance    11. Spain    12. Travel    13. Christianity    14. Comparative religion    15. History / Renaissance    16. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Communism    2. Communist International    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. Europe - Spain & Portugal    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Soviet Union    9. Spain    10. Civil war    11. European history: from c 1900 -    12. History / Spain & Portugal    13. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    14. Marxism & Communism    15. Russia   

Reviews (4)

Great Book but NOT a "Quick History"
The level of detail amassed by Horgan for this book is nothing short of incredible.Roughly half the book is dedicated to historical events; the other half covers culture, the role of religion, native living conditions, and a hundred other nuances of day-to-day living by peoples (both native and the later Spanish/American cultures) along the Rio Grande.
Paul Horgan's best
This book is the best ever written on the history of the southwest along the Rio Grande.Horgan manages to capture the shared history of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico as no other historian/writer has ever done.This one will be around as long as readers want to understand history in the borderlands.

Most complete introduction to the Rio Grande Valley
This two-volume series was my inroduction to Paul Horgan who became one of my favorite authors.It is interesting to note he and Frank Waters ('the Man who Killed the Deer') died recently just two weeks apart.They wereboth 92, and among the greatest authors who dealt with the Rio Grande.Mr.Hogan's dedication to detail set him apart from Willa Cather whose famerests upon her book 'Death comes to the Archbishop,' using Lamy as hersubject.She rejected the aproach of Paul Horgan who at the time waswriting his own history, 'Lamy of Santa Fe.'Willa Cather was a novelist;Paul Horgan an historian, and of the two I prefer the truth.Anyoneinterested in the history of the Rio Grande will be delighted with PaulHorgan's two-volume introduction to it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - U.S.    3. History: World    4. North America - History    5. Reference    6. Rio Grande Valley    7. United States - State & Local - General    8. American history    9. History / General    10. North America