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markk's review
5.0
In many respects J. H. Elliott's biography of Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares represents the capstone of his long and distinguished career as an historian of early modern Spain. After spending decades painstakingly researching and accumulating the surviving sources, he produced what is the most comprehensive and insightful study of the man who was the chief minister and "favorite" of the Spanish king Philip IV. It is a magnificent work, one that is not only a political biography of Olivares but an account of a mighty empire grappling with decline.
These two subjects are inextricably intertwined in this book because, as Elliott demonstrates, Spain's mounting burdens dominated Olivares's years in power. The problem was what the historian [a:Paul M. Kennedy|14709278|Paul M. Kennedy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] subsequently termed "imperial overstretch," as by the time Olivares became chief minister, Spain faced the dual tasks of both maintaining its position in the world and reforming the systems of government and finance to make them work more effectively. Yet these goals often were irreconcilable, as to get the finances he needed in the short term to maintain Spanish prestige and power Olivares was forced to abandon the long-term fiscal and governing reforms Spain needed. This left Olivares dealing with crisis after crisis, as Spain's growing problems abroad strained its economic and military resources to their breaking point. In the end for all his strenuous efforts Olivares could not halt what was a terminal decline, and was ultimately forced from office with his grand designs unfulfilled.
Elliott's biography is a fascinating study of an important figure in Spanish history and the problems he faced while in office. Through them he reveals the dynamics of an empire in slow decline and the ultimately futile efforts by its leaders to maintain its power. it is an impressive achievement, and one that will stand deservedly as an indispensable study of Olivares and the history of early modern Spain for decades to come.
These two subjects are inextricably intertwined in this book because, as Elliott demonstrates, Spain's mounting burdens dominated Olivares's years in power. The problem was what the historian [a:Paul M. Kennedy|14709278|Paul M. Kennedy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] subsequently termed "imperial overstretch," as by the time Olivares became chief minister, Spain faced the dual tasks of both maintaining its position in the world and reforming the systems of government and finance to make them work more effectively. Yet these goals often were irreconcilable, as to get the finances he needed in the short term to maintain Spanish prestige and power Olivares was forced to abandon the long-term fiscal and governing reforms Spain needed. This left Olivares dealing with crisis after crisis, as Spain's growing problems abroad strained its economic and military resources to their breaking point. In the end for all his strenuous efforts Olivares could not halt what was a terminal decline, and was ultimately forced from office with his grand designs unfulfilled.
Elliott's biography is a fascinating study of an important figure in Spanish history and the problems he faced while in office. Through them he reveals the dynamics of an empire in slow decline and the ultimately futile efforts by its leaders to maintain its power. it is an impressive achievement, and one that will stand deservedly as an indispensable study of Olivares and the history of early modern Spain for decades to come.
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