5+ [Must Read] Popular Books On Habsburg Spain

John Milton (1608-1674) is best known as the author of the great epic Paradise Lost and of numerous sonnets and other works, from Comus and Lycidas to Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. Of all the major English poets, John Milton was by far the most deeply involved in the political and religious controversies of his time, writing a series of pamphlets on free speech, John Milton (1608-1674) is best known as the author of the great epic Paradise Lost and of numerous sonnets and other works, from Comus and Lycidas to Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. Of all the major English poets, John Milton was by far the most deeply involved in the political and religious controversies of his time, writing a series of pamphlets on free speech, divorce and religious, political and social rights that forced a complete rethinking of the nature and practice not only of government, but of huma ... [Read More]

From 1556 until his death in 1598, Philip II of Spain ruled the first global empire in history, yet no one so far has analyzed precisely how he accomplished this feat. The author investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Philip’s strategic vision, the priorities that underlay his policies, the practices and prejudices that influenced his decision-making, and the externa From 1556 until his death in 1598, Philip II of Spain ruled the first global empire in history, yet no one so far has analyzed precisely how he accomplished this feat. The author investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Philip’s strategic vision, the priorities that underlay his policies, the practices and prejudices that influenced his decision-making, and the external factors that affected the achievement of his goals. Geoffrey Parker begins by defining the characteristics of Spain’s strategic culture ... [Read More]

"Splendidly rich...required reading for anyone who hopes to understand the real Europe."—Daily Telegraph. The Habsburgs have been described at one extreme as demons – responsible for a ‘long history of atrocities’; and, at the other, as dodos – living fossils unable to adapt to the modern world. In reality, the flamboyant royal family appear, in many ways, to have behaved m "Splendidly rich...required reading for anyone who hopes to understand the real Europe."—Daily Telegraph. The Habsburgs have been described at one extreme as demons – responsible for a ‘long history of atrocities’; and, at the other, as dodos – living fossils unable to adapt to the modern world. In reality, the flamboyant royal family appear, in many ways, to have behaved much like most other monarchies. Their story, however, is none the less enthralling for that. It is populated by such u ... [Read More]

More popular in their day than Don Quxixote, Cervantes's Exemplary Stories (1613) surprise, challenge and delight. Ranging from the picaresque to the satirical, the Exemplary Stories defy the conventions of heroic chivalric literature through a combination of comic irony, moral ambiguity, realism, and sheer mirth. This new translation captures the full vigour of Cervantes' More popular in their day than Don Quxixote, Cervantes's Exemplary Stories (1613) surprise, challenge and delight. Ranging from the picaresque to the satirical, the Exemplary Stories defy the conventions of heroic chivalric literature through a combination of comic irony, moral ambiguity, realism, and sheer mirth. This new translation captures the full vigour of Cervantes's wit and make available two rarely printed gems, "The Illustrious Kitchen Maid" and "The Power of Blood." ...more ... [Read More]

Publicadas en Madrid en 1613, las 'Novelas ejemplares' pertenecen al periodo en que la madurez creadora de Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) alcanza su expansión plena y abren, junto con el 'Quijote', el camino a la literatura moderna. En EL CASAMIENTO ENGAÑOSO, Cervantes desarrolla la maliciosa y divertida historia del matrimonio por interés del valentón y presumido alférez Publicadas en Madrid en 1613, las 'Novelas ejemplares' pertenecen al periodo en que la madurez creadora de Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) alcanza su expansión plena y abren, junto con el 'Quijote', el camino a la literatura moderna. En EL CASAMIENTO ENGAÑOSO, Cervantes desarrolla la maliciosa y divertida historia del matrimonio por interés del valentón y presumido alférez Campuzano, quien acaba trasquilado y presa de una enfermedad venérea. Postrado en una cama del Hospital de la Resurrección de Vallado ... [Read More]