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Spain: The Root and the Flower: An Interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People
This is the late John A. Crow's classic study of the cultural history of Spain and its people, which he last updated in 1985 but which seems as fresh and pertinent as when he first wrote it. Crow devoted a lifetime to Hispanic studies and here provides a historical interpretation of Spanish civilization from its earliest beginnings to the present. The scope of this study is remarkable and includes chapters on Roman Spain, the Jews in Spain, the Moors, life in medieval towns, and the Golden Age of Spain, plus a view of Franco's legacy.
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 27, 2020
I got this book in 2013 at the suggestion of a friend who had studied abroad in Spain. I bought it right before we went to Spain for a friend's wedding. That was an amazing trip, mostly spent in Sevilla and Portugal, but also going through Madrid. Now seven years later, I finally finished it.
In college I wrote my honors thesis on Antonio Machado, a Spanish poet around the turn of the century. Much of his work, or so I tried to argue in my thesis, was an attempt to reconcile Spain's deeply religious and catholic heritage, with a desire to move into the 20th century and more modern ideas. Such an internal conflict both within an individual and within a country can certainly end up in a lot of strife. Part of what I wanted to argue was that this poetry and this culture was caught between the sort of intellectually comfortable certainty of a pre-modern Spain, a Spain that was built upon and directed by religious Truth, absolute and unchanging. This comes into conflict with more recent philosophical attitudes, of relativism, or what I prefer to call the sort of anti-foundationalist position that there is no Truth with a capital T, just a series of subjective and socially constructed and shifting values.
What this book brought home to me was that this division within Spain was deeper and more complex than I had originally thought. The history going back through the settlement, conquest and ultimate defeat by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors, and then Ferdinand and Isabella instituting the return of a Christian Spain. It also again highlighted the fact that the long battle by Castile to subvert the Basques and the Catalans, and the Galicians to their language and culture has never truly been won. All that to say, that this peninsula, separated by the Pyrenees and living apart from the rest of Europe, is a place that is divided by language, by history, and yet also gets the benefit of the diversity of her history in her art and architecture and culture. The book did a great job I thought of describing the political, social, economic, philosophical and artistic highlights of the different ages. It also I thought did a very good job of commenting on the meaning of these things, without taking what seemed to me to be exceptionally controversial positions.
The last part of the book I found to be of particular interest. It shows again one of the great tragedies of government and history. It traces, carefully and thoughtfully, the manner in which a fascist dictator comes to take hold. I was generally aware of the Spanish Civil War, but this book opened up so much of my understanding of the various competing interests of the communist, socialist, democratic, labor unions, the church, the military the poor, the landed aristocracy. As mentioned in the book, though the war ultimately is fought between two sides, it was really an amalgamation of a broad variety of groups who were more or less trying to identify the side that would best advance their goals. What also was sad and perhaps scary, though not necessarily surprising, is the way in which the story sounded so familiar. I am generally familiar with the history of fascism's rise in Germany, and always particularly remember the fact that Hitler's rise was built not just on the scapegoating of the Jewish segments of the population, but a constant cry against "the Bolsheviks." In other words, the far right gains power and strength by demonizing and setting itself up as a tonic for the far left. Again in Spain, Franco uses this same tactic, promising to save the glorious and beautiful historic culture of Spain from the godless and communistic masses. In essence, Franco promised to make Spain great again.
I can certainly understand (though not excusing) the landed aristocracy, the church, the military, and those who are so deeply rooted in that tradition, whose values and relationships are dependent on that culture, supporting someone promising to maintain that way of life. And unfortunately, like in Germany, that fascist approach of consolidating power and keeping the populace in a state of fear from the government took hold. As I look now over the past year, and the protests in our cities, and the counter protests, the election, the press, and all of it, I sadly see this same split. The far right building up the threat of the far left, as not only a threat to store fronts and elections, but to the very core of what are claimed to be "traditional American values." And this largely falsely constructed narrative, being used to justify increasingly fascist activities, like ordering federal storm troops into cities, and delegitimizing elections, and the press.
The hope to take away from this perhaps is that we have managed, at least for the time, to beat back this approach, and are hopefully moving in a better direction. However, the balance remains distressingly delicate. It occurs to me that part of the reason that many joined Franco's side during the Spanish revolution was because they felt they had no where else to go. They had concerns that many of their legitimate and not necessarily harmful beliefs were going to be trampled over and destroyed by these advancing liberal policies. Somehow, perhaps if both sides can push less on the other, and provide an escape hatch, the result would have been different. It occurs to me that in the same way that the far right attempts to demonize the far left, and use this as a justification to exclude "the other" from the appropriate path forward for a nation, the far left does this with almost an equal amount of force. Maybe the problem is needing to give more people a path to the middle, and welcoming them without making them feel that they are not as good or as sophisticated. It also will certainly require more of the moderate people taking a stronger stance against injustice.
At any rate, it just reminds me once again of the fact that we have so many opportunities to learn from history. How we communicate these lessons more effectively, so as to avoid repeating the terrible events, I don't know, but I am hoping we can find a way.
In college I wrote my honors thesis on Antonio Machado, a Spanish poet around the turn of the century. Much of his work, or so I tried to argue in my thesis, was an attempt to reconcile Spain's deeply religious and catholic heritage, with a desire to move into the 20th century and more modern ideas. Such an internal conflict both within an individual and within a country can certainly end up in a lot of strife. Part of what I wanted to argue was that this poetry and this culture was caught between the sort of intellectually comfortable certainty of a pre-modern Spain, a Spain that was built upon and directed by religious Truth, absolute and unchanging. This comes into conflict with more recent philosophical attitudes, of relativism, or what I prefer to call the sort of anti-foundationalist position that there is no Truth with a capital T, just a series of subjective and socially constructed and shifting values.
What this book brought home to me was that this division within Spain was deeper and more complex than I had originally thought. The history going back through the settlement, conquest and ultimate defeat by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors, and then Ferdinand and Isabella instituting the return of a Christian Spain. It also again highlighted the fact that the long battle by Castile to subvert the Basques and the Catalans, and the Galicians to their language and culture has never truly been won. All that to say, that this peninsula, separated by the Pyrenees and living apart from the rest of Europe, is a place that is divided by language, by history, and yet also gets the benefit of the diversity of her history in her art and architecture and culture. The book did a great job I thought of describing the political, social, economic, philosophical and artistic highlights of the different ages. It also I thought did a very good job of commenting on the meaning of these things, without taking what seemed to me to be exceptionally controversial positions.
The last part of the book I found to be of particular interest. It shows again one of the great tragedies of government and history. It traces, carefully and thoughtfully, the manner in which a fascist dictator comes to take hold. I was generally aware of the Spanish Civil War, but this book opened up so much of my understanding of the various competing interests of the communist, socialist, democratic, labor unions, the church, the military the poor, the landed aristocracy. As mentioned in the book, though the war ultimately is fought between two sides, it was really an amalgamation of a broad variety of groups who were more or less trying to identify the side that would best advance their goals. What also was sad and perhaps scary, though not necessarily surprising, is the way in which the story sounded so familiar. I am generally familiar with the history of fascism's rise in Germany, and always particularly remember the fact that Hitler's rise was built not just on the scapegoating of the Jewish segments of the population, but a constant cry against "the Bolsheviks." In other words, the far right gains power and strength by demonizing and setting itself up as a tonic for the far left. Again in Spain, Franco uses this same tactic, promising to save the glorious and beautiful historic culture of Spain from the godless and communistic masses. In essence, Franco promised to make Spain great again.
I can certainly understand (though not excusing) the landed aristocracy, the church, the military, and those who are so deeply rooted in that tradition, whose values and relationships are dependent on that culture, supporting someone promising to maintain that way of life. And unfortunately, like in Germany, that fascist approach of consolidating power and keeping the populace in a state of fear from the government took hold. As I look now over the past year, and the protests in our cities, and the counter protests, the election, the press, and all of it, I sadly see this same split. The far right building up the threat of the far left, as not only a threat to store fronts and elections, but to the very core of what are claimed to be "traditional American values." And this largely falsely constructed narrative, being used to justify increasingly fascist activities, like ordering federal storm troops into cities, and delegitimizing elections, and the press.
The hope to take away from this perhaps is that we have managed, at least for the time, to beat back this approach, and are hopefully moving in a better direction. However, the balance remains distressingly delicate. It occurs to me that part of the reason that many joined Franco's side during the Spanish revolution was because they felt they had no where else to go. They had concerns that many of their legitimate and not necessarily harmful beliefs were going to be trampled over and destroyed by these advancing liberal policies. Somehow, perhaps if both sides can push less on the other, and provide an escape hatch, the result would have been different. It occurs to me that in the same way that the far right attempts to demonize the far left, and use this as a justification to exclude "the other" from the appropriate path forward for a nation, the far left does this with almost an equal amount of force. Maybe the problem is needing to give more people a path to the middle, and welcoming them without making them feel that they are not as good or as sophisticated. It also will certainly require more of the moderate people taking a stronger stance against injustice.
At any rate, it just reminds me once again of the fact that we have so many opportunities to learn from history. How we communicate these lessons more effectively, so as to avoid repeating the terrible events, I don't know, but I am hoping we can find a way.
March 14, 2011
Adam: 5 stars
Elegantly written, John Crow's bold chronicle tells the history of the people of Spain beginning with it's prehistoric inhabitants and the Iberians who gave the peninsula its name and ending with a diagnosis of the socio-economic state of Spain in 1984 when the book was written. Crow, a non-native of Spain, gives his well-studied perspective on Spain's politics, religion and culture through the lens of Spanish literature through the years. This isn't the typical history book that simply recounts dates and battles. Crow goes into great detail about the significance of Don Quixote, the Cid and other classic Spanish literature as they relate to the Spanish psyche over time. If you're looking for a unique, honest and well-researched perspective on the history of Spain, I highly recommend this book.
Elegantly written, John Crow's bold chronicle tells the history of the people of Spain beginning with it's prehistoric inhabitants and the Iberians who gave the peninsula its name and ending with a diagnosis of the socio-economic state of Spain in 1984 when the book was written. Crow, a non-native of Spain, gives his well-studied perspective on Spain's politics, religion and culture through the lens of Spanish literature through the years. This isn't the typical history book that simply recounts dates and battles. Crow goes into great detail about the significance of Don Quixote, the Cid and other classic Spanish literature as they relate to the Spanish psyche over time. If you're looking for a unique, honest and well-researched perspective on the history of Spain, I highly recommend this book.
December 24, 2011
Wow, this is a hard read. Clow's knowledge of Spanish history and culture is enyclopedic but his analysis of the country is superficial, I believe, and due to his axiomatic anti-Catholicism. This posture leads him to make several assertions that are factually inaccurate but, it appears, who cares? because the assertions fit the paradigm he is trying to advance. Yet a look at Spain right now, when the country has been led for three of the last four decades by anti-Catholic socialists and when the last Socialist President, Zapatero, was as axiomatically an anti-Catholic as they come, will show that the "progressive" stance for which Clow appears to be advocating has led the country right to the precipice. "Religion, bad, anti-religion, good" is a tiresome, simplistic, and erroneous formula. So I'd say read this book if you must, and don't worry about reading it too critically because Clow's prejudices will come shining through like the noonday sun. There have to be better general histories of Spain.
October 11, 2007
I love this book because of the author's unabashed personal bias in how he recounts Spanish history and his interpretation of Spanish culture. By being so in-your-face with his thoughts and feelings, there is a rare truth that comes through and inspires readers look more closely at their own cultural interpretations and the lens through which they view others.
July 1, 2015
A scattershot "history" (with a dearth of citations) of Spain with a heavy-handed interpretation of the pre-Franco and post-Franco periods. I am amazed that other reviewers mention how well the author writes. I thought the writing was pedestrian. I lived in Spain about 7 years after the book was updated, and I don't recognize much of the culture or character of Spain that the book describes, but probably because I have a totally different bias from the author.
My main pet peeve was the long quotes from Spanish authors translated into English, without providing the Spanish original text. Crow would expound ad nauseam about the quality of the writing, but not actually provide it, just the translation. Then later he quotes a Spanish folk song (in Spanish) and doesn't translate it at all. Are you writing for people who read Spanish? Then ALWAYS provide the original text.
Before I went to Spain I read "Iberia" by Michener. Granted, that was a long time ago, but I remember enjoying that book a lot, (And Michener is a FAR superior writer) and I would recommend that book to people who want a view of the Spanish recent past.
My main pet peeve was the long quotes from Spanish authors translated into English, without providing the Spanish original text. Crow would expound ad nauseam about the quality of the writing, but not actually provide it, just the translation. Then later he quotes a Spanish folk song (in Spanish) and doesn't translate it at all. Are you writing for people who read Spanish? Then ALWAYS provide the original text.
Before I went to Spain I read "Iberia" by Michener. Granted, that was a long time ago, but I remember enjoying that book a lot, (And Michener is a FAR superior writer) and I would recommend that book to people who want a view of the Spanish recent past.
July 8, 2023
A typical problem with histories that stretch from some point in the past to the present day is: How do you end the book? It was straight history for 80% of its length. Does it then have to turn to a description of the current economy? Wait: Since the edition of John A. Crow 's Spain: The Root and the Flower: An Interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People was published in 1984, it's more a snapshot that is 40 years old and beginning to yellow a bit.
Still, it is a book worth reading up until that last 20%. Crow was passionate about Spain and really full of his subject in a good way.
Still, it is a book worth reading up until that last 20%. Crow was passionate about Spain and really full of his subject in a good way.
October 5, 2013
This is a great general history of Spain for anyone looking to widen their knowledge and see the whole picture.
The author knew Dalí and Lorca as he was also a student at the famous 'Residencia de Estudiantes' in Madrid before the Civil War. Not only that, but the historian returned to Spain, post Civil War and post Franco. So, who better qualified to write on the nation's history than someone intimately involved in witnesssing its passing of time?
Added to these credentials comes the man's flowing writing style and the obvious fact that it is a country that has won his deepest affections.
Therefore the book is two in one. It is a work with academic foundations that offers learning while also a text that will enchant the reader with its sentiment for the country. Thus it is narrative history on a personal level.
The author knew Dalí and Lorca as he was also a student at the famous 'Residencia de Estudiantes' in Madrid before the Civil War. Not only that, but the historian returned to Spain, post Civil War and post Franco. So, who better qualified to write on the nation's history than someone intimately involved in witnesssing its passing of time?
Added to these credentials comes the man's flowing writing style and the obvious fact that it is a country that has won his deepest affections.
Therefore the book is two in one. It is a work with academic foundations that offers learning while also a text that will enchant the reader with its sentiment for the country. Thus it is narrative history on a personal level.
April 11, 2020
A very good book on the history and culture of Spain. I read it years ago when it appeared that I might live in Spain. I visited but never got to live there. I would love to visit again!
June 9, 2012
J'ai lu avec profit les quelques chapitres touchant la République et la guerre civile de 1936-39 dans l'ouvrage pondéré de l'hispaniste états-unisien John A Crow, Spain: the root and the flower, an interpretation of Spain and the Spanish people (University of California Press, 3rd ed, 1985). Je n'ai rien de spécial à déclarer sur ce bon livre. Une énigme cependant : qu'en était-il au juste de la stratégie des Russes? Crow affirme que (je traduis) «les Russes voulaient évidemment établir une dictature du prolétariat, qui amènerait au pouvoir les communistes ou leurs proches» (p 339). Cela paraît vraisemblable : les communistes représentaient une faible force au début du siècle par rapport aux anarchistes et aux socialistes mais ils avaient rapidement progressé pendant la République, et notamment après le déclenchement de la guerre civile, quand le régime reçut l’aide militaire des soviétiques, et des brigades internationales à forte dominante communiste ; la République se rapprocha assez du communisme, avec des premiers ministres comme les socialistes Largo Caballero, surnommé le «Lénine espagnol», et Juan Negrín, plus proche encore du PCE ; la généralisation du néologisme «cheka» pour désigner les centres de tabassage de gauche est significative elle aussi du climat politique. Cependant cette analyse va tout à l’opposé de celle que je me rappelle avoir lue sous la plume d’un autre historien bien documenté, David W Pike, affirmant au contraire dans Jours de gloire, jours de honte (Paris, 1984) que «L’URSS ne voulait pas qu’une République espagnole risque (…) de tomber aux mains des communistes espagnols. En effet le principe soviétique est de ne pas laisser s’instaurer de régime se réclamant du communisme hors de la portée d’intervention directe de l’Armée Rouge.» Et il est vrai que par leur lutte à mort contre les trotskistes et les anarchistes, les communistes n’ont pas ménagé leur peine pour que le camp républicain perde la guerre. (16 VII 2010)
March 14, 2011
Elegantly written, John Crow's bold chronicle tells the history of the people of Spain beginning with it's prehistoric inhabitants and the Iberians who gave the peninsula its name and ending with a diagnosis of the socio-economic state of Spain in 1984 when the book was written. Crow, a non-native of Spain, gives his well-studied perspective on Spain's politics, religion and culture through the lens of Spanish literature through the years. This isn't the typical history book that simply recounts dates and battles. Crow goes into great detail about the significance of Don Quixote, the Cid and others as they relate to the Spanish psyche over time. If you're looking for a unique, honest and well-researched perspective on the history of Spain, I highly recommend this book.
January 22, 2010
Finally, after close to a year, I was able to finish this book. Very good treatment of the history of Spain from beginning till about 1985. The country, from my limited perspective in Madrid, is that the country has changed a little.
the book gets dense in some parts, but is so thorough that it's hard not to recommend it for anyone that wants to know all about the history, politics, and flavor of Espana...
the book gets dense in some parts, but is so thorough that it's hard not to recommend it for anyone that wants to know all about the history, politics, and flavor of Espana...
May 26, 2012
A very thorough history of Spain from the earliest records, this book tells the whole story. I found it an interesting and well-written read for such an exhaustive account of Spanish history. The author, although very knowledgable and highly respected in the Spanish history world, is a bit too pessimistic and some of his info is a little outdated. Still, learned a lot from this book- mainly an overall look at Spanish history that helped to piece a lot of things together in my head.
July 2, 2022
I first read this book as I was leaving for my Mormon mission in Spain 40 years ago. I remember liking the book and wanted to read it again. It's a decent book, but only if you have some connection to Spain--lived there, visited there, etc. Otherwise, it's a bit dry and hard to get through. It did renew, however, renew my desire to return to Spain for a visit.
May 29, 2008
This is a great history of Spain from prehistoric times through the 1970s. I didn't realize the negative influence that the Catholic church had on Spain after 1492 even through the Civil War, at least according to the author.
March 15, 2024
“Spanish culture was always a fruit or a flower that came from a garden which promised even more, but, lacking the proper cultivation, went wild and died. For the past several hundred years the history of Spain has been that of a dying garden overgrown with weeds."
A self-described “history and interpretation” of Spanish civilization, SPAIN: THE ROOT & THE FLOWER is an ode to the stoic, proud, but also bereaved soul of the Spanish consciousness. In florid prose, author John A. Crow, the late Professor of Spanish at the University of California, Los Angeles, appraises the Spanish condition from its earliest beginnings as a nexus for struggle under the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans; to the Middle Ages and relative tranquility and cohesion under Moorish rule; the Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Catholic sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, the Renaissance and New World colonization; and the period of political turbulence under socialist dictatorship, the Spanish Republic, and Franco’s Nationalists during the 20th century. Crow describes the Spanish heart as aggrieved and inflicted with a philosophy of desperation, while also lamenting the absence of proper conditions that would have nurtured its efflorescence. Partially to blame are governments that have prevented its people from accessing the fruits of the Enlightenment and industrialization and instead embroiled the country in costly wars, economic mismanagement, religious polarization, and political absolutism. Until that day of reckoning, Crow writes the Spanish people will continue to hope, wait, and suffer for its elusive renaissance.
A self-described “history and interpretation” of Spanish civilization, SPAIN: THE ROOT & THE FLOWER is an ode to the stoic, proud, but also bereaved soul of the Spanish consciousness. In florid prose, author John A. Crow, the late Professor of Spanish at the University of California, Los Angeles, appraises the Spanish condition from its earliest beginnings as a nexus for struggle under the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans; to the Middle Ages and relative tranquility and cohesion under Moorish rule; the Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Catholic sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, the Renaissance and New World colonization; and the period of political turbulence under socialist dictatorship, the Spanish Republic, and Franco’s Nationalists during the 20th century. Crow describes the Spanish heart as aggrieved and inflicted with a philosophy of desperation, while also lamenting the absence of proper conditions that would have nurtured its efflorescence. Partially to blame are governments that have prevented its people from accessing the fruits of the Enlightenment and industrialization and instead embroiled the country in costly wars, economic mismanagement, religious polarization, and political absolutism. Until that day of reckoning, Crow writes the Spanish people will continue to hope, wait, and suffer for its elusive renaissance.
March 12, 2019
I have wavered between 3 and 4 stars and might preferred 3.5 stars but overall a very good book. This was the 3rd edition (1985) of a book written in 1963 so if you are looking for something on the last 30 years forget it. But it is highly readable overview of the history and culture of this unique country. Yes, there are plenty of dates, how could there not be? But he offers interesting interpretations of the vents in a fairly even-handed manner, especially I would say in the chapters on the Spanish Civil War. Like many authors on Spanish history I feel he is prone to exculpate the Muslims for their conquest because they seemed to contribute so much to the culture at various times. But the Almoravides and Almohades were every bit as ruthless as modern ISIS or Christian Spanish Kings who at least had the excuse that they were retaking their own land. As long as the Muslims were in power they could afford to be somewhat tolerant, but that is their way. Submit or die. At times there are some sweeping generalizations and comments on Spanish character which I suppose one could quibble with. But he covers the major events with some interesting insights and opinions, moreover since this is not an academic history. There is a lot packed in here within the 430+ pages and anyone wanting to gain substantial insight into the forces and currents that made Spain would do well to read.
December 14, 2017
As a comprehensive history of Spain, Crow's book does not disappoint. Although dense, (and my version had small type which was a little taxing!) and sometimes a little glib, the author really gets at the entire history and background of the Iberian peninsula, the romanticism and 'id' of the spanish people. He is unsparing in praise for the elements that helped make Spain good and interesting, and likewise harsh words for all of the elements, both noble AND common, that impeded Spain's progress. There is humor and context here, and I would advise anyone who plans to travel to Spain or is just interested in the the idea of Spain to read this book. You will not be sorry to have this background when you visit.
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September 19, 2023I have an edition dated 1985. It's out of date and no longer accurate in its description of today in Spain.
It's a book written by an outsider looking into Spain through a sort of personal looking glass. Totally written in English, not a book written by a Spaniard in Spanish.
It is most certainly written for the American collegiate reader.
I have zero interest in reading a Spanish translation of this book as the book was long and tedious to read.
Facts and fiction and opinion are frequently intermingled.
It's a book written by an outsider looking into Spain through a sort of personal looking glass. Totally written in English, not a book written by a Spaniard in Spanish.
It is most certainly written for the American collegiate reader.
I have zero interest in reading a Spanish translation of this book as the book was long and tedious to read.
Facts and fiction and opinion are frequently intermingled.
May 24, 2024
Interesting read. Focused less on historical events and more on their effects on the people (including the arts). A little dated since the last chapter focuses on Spain during the 10 years post-Franco, stopping around 1984. But an important period. It's pretty remarkable that the country didn't backslide into authoritarianism after all the centuries under that rule. Look at Russia as a counterexample. But the Spanish people (and the Spanish geography, also important) are different, as well described by the author.
January 11, 2021
A hard book for a foreigner like me, but after this book, got a new perspective on the history of Spain. I like his view on Spain as the east of Europe( geographically it's west), a point that has never come to my mind, but totally makes sense. Recommend it for anyone who wants to get a new point of view on Spain's history.
July 17, 2023
A lot of good information but ends around 1985. Very dry and recitative in some chapters. Other chapters are quite interesting. It would have been helpful to have a map with the regions of Spain labeled to refer back to. Fortunately I had other maps but it would have been nice to have it in the book.
November 7, 2025
It was a very fun read. I read the 2nd edition which was released in 1974. I regret not finding the most recent edition. Crow put many of my thoughts about the Spanish people to writing. Heavily enjoyed. I will probably read another book about more specific parts of the history (especially the civil war).
August 26, 2021
The book works well as a social and cultural history through the dictatorship of Franco, but the final chapters, which were written in 1985 seem cursory and, of course, do not really bring the story up to date. The notes and bibliography are combined as one in an odd, but workable, combination.
August 14, 2022
Not the typical history textbook that you would expect, the author not only wrote about the history flow, but also wrote about the art and literature, the native culture as well as some of his anecdotes when he was in Spain. Generally enjoyed reading and wish to visit the Prado Museum soon.
April 21, 2018
It would have been four stars, but the author's anticommunism propaganda lowered it to three stars. Let it go already.
March 17, 2024
A splendid book about Spain’s glorious past
December 10, 2024
在阅读此书前，我对西班牙没有任何一点了解，除了伊莎贝拉女王。通过这本书，我简单了解了西班牙各方面的历史（语言、宗教、政权、地理、艺术、生活等），这些都从各方面告诉我西班牙的文明气质（不是国家气质），使我对西班牙有了简要的认识，期待能更多了解西班牙。
October 4, 2013
I read this book for a college class on Spanish history about 9 years ago. This was my first college book for which I wrote essays and took exams. I obtained my master's degree in European Studies last year, and I am applying to do a PhD in European History; and I still regard this book as an invaluable source for my research. For those who are interest in the Spanish Second Republic and the country's civil war, this book is a unique reference.
The author of the book lived and studied in Spain during those watershed moments in Spain's modern history, and returned to the country under Franco's dictatorship. In addition, he was a close friend of the Spanish poet Garcia Lorca, who was an outspoken Republican and who eventually was assassinated by right wing extremists.
How can his unique experience not be a paragon for historical research?
The author of the book lived and studied in Spain during those watershed moments in Spain's modern history, and returned to the country under Franco's dictatorship. In addition, he was a close friend of the Spanish poet Garcia Lorca, who was an outspoken Republican and who eventually was assassinated by right wing extremists.
How can his unique experience not be a paragon for historical research?
October 9, 2012
The conversational style used by Crow throughout the book - but especially in the name-dropping recent history of the last quarter - might have seemed intimate or edgy at the time of publication, but now it comes off as stilted and inappropriate, especially because the topic matter sticks to the kings and generals of stereotypical histories. The only thing that saves this book is the author's obsession with literature, his detours into which provide a nice context for his awkward jumbled primary sections detailing which Bourbon fucked up what battle and built a monument to himself for it.
March 1, 2013
An excellent book. I could feel the dirt, smell the dry air, and hear the clamoring of people. First hand experience of life in Spain has enriched Crow's telling of the history not as a dry text, but as a story of people and culture, life and relationships. I felt there was a bit much in Crow's area of expertise on politics, and it did take me several months to finally finish. But i would recommend it to anyone who desires to know the whys and depth of Spanish culture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews