ESPAÑA: A BRIEF HISTORY OF SPAIN

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Espana: a Brief History of Spain
by Giles Tremlett (Author)
Format:Paperback / softback 304 pages, 1 x 16pp col
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:Apollo
ISBN:9781789544381
Published:2 Feb 2023
Classifications:European history, History: earliest times to present day, Travel writing
Readership:General (US: Trade)
Weight:240g
Dimensions:198 x 129 x 26 (mm)
Pub. Country:United Kingdom
Country of Origin:GB
Tariff Codes:49019900
For sale in: Spain, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Germany, (See full list)
Other Formats
Hardback
Description
Bestselling author Giles Tremlett traverses the rich and varied history of Spain, from prehistoric times to today, in a brief, accessible primer for visitors, curious readers and hispanophiles. 'Tremlett is a fascinating socio-cultural guide, as happy to discuss Spain's World Cup win as its Moorish rule' Guardian 'Negotiates Spain's chaotic history with admirable clarity and style' The TimesSpain's position on Europe's south-western corner has exposed it to cultural, political and actual winds blowing from all quadrants. Africa lies a mere nine miles to the south.

The Mediterranean connects it to the civilizational currents of Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians, and Byzantines as well as the Arabic lands of the near east. Bronze Age migrants from the Russian steppe were amongst the first to arrive. They would be followed by Visigoths, Arabs, Napoleonic armies and many more invaders and immigrants.

Circular winds and currents linked it to the American continent, allowing Spain to conquer and colonize much of it. As a result, Spain has developed a sort of hybrid vigour. Whenever it has tried to deny this inevitable heterogeneity, it has required superhuman effort to fashion a 'pure' national identity - which has proved impossible to maintain.

In Espana, Giles Tremlett argues that, in fact, that lack of a homogenous identity is Spain's defining trait.