Arturo Perez-Reverte, a novelist and former war correspondent, offers his own short history of Spain, told in plain language and with plenty of irony. Starting from the earliest peoples and moving through Rome, the Visigoths, the Moorish centuries, the empire, and the wars and dictatorship of the twentieth century, he stresses patterns he sees repeating in Spanish history: fratricide, envy, short memory and the habit of destroying what was built. It is a personal account, not an academic survey.
It suits Spanish readers and students of Spain who want a quick, opinionated overview in a lively voice. Expect strong judgments you may argue with, and a clear thread from the past to current national debates.
Outward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Evidence Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Language
- ES
