España Audiobook By Giles Tremlett cover art

España

A Brief History of Spain

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España

By: Giles Tremlett
Narrated by: Luis Soto
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Best-selling author Giles Tremlett traverses the rich and varied history of Spain, from prehistoric times to today, in a brief, accessible primer for visitors, curious listeners and hispanophiles.

Spain's position on Europe's southwestern corner has exposed it to cultural, political and actual winds blowing from all quadrants. Africa lies a mere nine miles to the south. The Mediterranean connects it to the civilisational currents of Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians and Byzantines as well as the Arabic lands of the Near East. Hordes from the Russian steppes were amongst the first to arrive. They would be followed by Visigoths, Arabs, Napoleonic armies and many more invaders and immigrants. Circular winds and currents linked it to the American continent, allowing Spain to conquer and colonise much of it.

As a result, Spain has developed a sort of hybrid vigour. Whenever it has tried to deny this inevitable heterogeneity, it has required superhuman effort to fashion a 'pure' national identity—which has proved impossible to maintain. In España, Giles Tremlett argues that, in fact, that lack of a homogenous identity is Spain's defining trait.

©2022 Giles Tremlett (P)2022 W F Howes Civilization Europe Expeditions & Discoveries World Western Europe Africa Middle Ages Latin America Imperialism Middle East War Socialism Crusade Portugal

Critic reviews

"Lively and well-informed.... At once a history, a journalistic inquiry and a travel book." (Sunday Telegraph)

"Tremlett writes with humour, modesty and a great affection for his subject." (Daily Telegraph)
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Complete and understandable for someone who thought he was already well informed about a country close to his heart.

Complete and so enjoyable I’ve decided to relisten to it

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Since I have an upcoming cruise to Spain, I wanted to know something of the countries history without spending too much time in laborious details. This book fit the bill.

Good & brief summary

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Overly simplistic and dismissive , almost hateful, of Christianity, especially Catholics. Not worth reading. Visit Spain rather than waste money on this book!

Junk

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