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danielgallagher's review against another edition
4.0
I read this last year during a month-long stint in Granada, Spain. It really enhanced the experience, especially on our visits to the famous monuments such as the Alhambra or Mezquita in Córdoba. While being a little bit tedious at times, this was expected due to the nature of the book and the fact that I am not studying the subject. I would recommend to anyone visiting the region, though bear in mind that there is a huge amount of information in here and it may be a little too much for some (as it was for me).
ajhild's review against another edition
4.0
Fletcher provides a brief, comprehensive, and easy to understand history of Islamic Spain. He makes a compelling argument against the traditional understanding of Moorish Spain as a time of great tranquility and tolerance. Overall, a good introduction to the topic. My only complaint is that I wish he would have included more citations to indicate where he draws his information from (though Fletcher does state at the outset that this work isn't meant to be an academic study).
nucleareaction's review against another edition
4.0
A good book for those looking to learn about how contested Southern Spain was at the end of the 14th century.
alphadesigner's review
5.0
This is an awesome book, but first, let's get the annoying stuff out of the way: The author is a bit obsessed with dates which, typographically speaking, gives the body text a sort of algebraic flavor. Did I need to note the exact year in which Alfonso X farted? Not really. Do all those numbers disrupt the narrative flow? You betcha. Another problem is the complex language that he often uses to describe pretty mundane ideas. It's cringeworthy, and along with the numbers, makes my brain hiccup.
“The witness of those who lived through the horrors of the Berber conquest, of the Andalusian fitnah in the early eleventh century, of the Almoravid invasion – to mention only a few disruptive episodes – must give it the lie.”
Those two faults aside, the book is an absolute masterpiece. The narrative is well structured and concise. The author does his best to look at the history objectively and not succumb to idealization, which is quite common in studies on that period. Yet, despite omitting the usual poetic nonsense about a lost paradise, the book is anything but boring. On a few occasions I felt the urge to clap. Here's an example:
“Those who are too idle to prepare decent food can buy pungent sauces in supermarkets to disguise the absence of flavour in the meat or fish they smother with them. The past, like the present, is for most of the time rather flavourless. ‘Nothing, like something, happens anywhere.’ Larkin’s line should be the historian’s motto. But in the cultural conditions that prevail in the west today the past has to be marketed, and to be successfully marketed it has to be attractively packaged. Medieval Spain in a state of nature lacks wide appeal. Self-indulgent fantasies of glamour or guilt do wonders for sharpening up its image.”
Amen!
P.S. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Iberian history, especially for those who look for a detailed straight-to-the point introduction.
“The witness of those who lived through the horrors of the Berber conquest, of the Andalusian fitnah in the early eleventh century, of the Almoravid invasion – to mention only a few disruptive episodes – must give it the lie.”
Those two faults aside, the book is an absolute masterpiece. The narrative is well structured and concise. The author does his best to look at the history objectively and not succumb to idealization, which is quite common in studies on that period. Yet, despite omitting the usual poetic nonsense about a lost paradise, the book is anything but boring. On a few occasions I felt the urge to clap. Here's an example:
“Those who are too idle to prepare decent food can buy pungent sauces in supermarkets to disguise the absence of flavour in the meat or fish they smother with them. The past, like the present, is for most of the time rather flavourless. ‘Nothing, like something, happens anywhere.’ Larkin’s line should be the historian’s motto. But in the cultural conditions that prevail in the west today the past has to be marketed, and to be successfully marketed it has to be attractively packaged. Medieval Spain in a state of nature lacks wide appeal. Self-indulgent fantasies of glamour or guilt do wonders for sharpening up its image.”
Amen!
P.S. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Iberian history, especially for those who look for a detailed straight-to-the point introduction.
sama_'s review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Decent book, it's not the most extensive about the topic as the author doesn't get into a lot of details & mostly sticks to major events & a general overview of the history of the region.
Nevertheless, it still provides a good amount of information if you don't want to invest in a long read.
Nevertheless, it still provides a good amount of information if you don't want to invest in a long read.
andrewfontenelle's review
4.0
An excellent book outlining the history of Moorish Spain! In 711 a relatively small army crossed over from Africa to establish a presence on the Iberian peninsula which was to last for almost a thousand years. Richard Fletcher describes the development of Moorish civilization from its beginnings, its relationship with Christian Europe and the rest of the Islamic world through to its final collapse in 1492. The book also shows how Islamic learning introduced science, agricultural practices and ancient philosophical studies which benefited the then emerging cultures of Christian Europe.
This book gives an insight into a fascinating period of history. Recommended reading!
This book gives an insight into a fascinating period of history. Recommended reading!
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