Stephen Embry's Reviews > The Heretic

I would highly recommend Mr. Weistein's story of Spain during the time of the reconquista and the inquisition. It captures the conflicts in a land populated by Christians, Jews and Musliims in a remarkably fresh way. At this time the the Christian princes and princesse were involved in a struggle to reconcile holy wars manifested by the crusades and jihad, in a way that is difficult to appreciate in modern terms, which are largely a response to the religious passions of the times.However, these were themes which shaped the minds and actions of those living at the time.

Particularly interesting is the way the author weaves the impact of technology into the story. We underestimate the power that the printing press had and the threat it represented to society organized around oral transmissions.The book paints these pressures in a clear fashion.

The story is not simply a history but also a vivid presentation of the people living in a dramatically changing society, who become victims of the forces roiling their society, and indeed the evolution of that society.

The story is well paced and full of action,has vivid characterization and makes you think. Not bad!