Review: Imperial Spain by J.H. Elliot
Imperial Spain by J.H. Elliot
It's surprisingly difficult to find an introductory book on early Modern Spain intended for a general audience. This one is the go-to recommendation on r/AskHistorians. I found the opening chapters interesting and easy to follow, taking me through the union of Castile and Aragon, the Reconquista, and Columbus and the New World. After this, though, I really struggled to keep going amidst the tedious tables of figures and non-chronological ordering of subsequent chapters. This might have been exhilarating reading for a university student, but it was too dry for me. I did learn quite a bit about this fascinating period in Spain's history, but I can't say it was an enjoyable experience.