Isabella of Castile: life of the week

This biography chronicles the life of Isabella of Castile as she ascended the throne of Castile in 1474 and faced the challenges of being a young, female ruler in a male-dominated world. Isabella's marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon united two kingdoms, and their reign was transformative, uniting Spain and setting the stage for its golden era of global dominance. The book details her efforts in reforming a kingdom riddled with crime, debt, corruption, and religious factionism, and her role in harnessing the ideas and tools of the early Renaissance to modernize her nation. Tremlett also explores the controversies surrounding her reign, including the Inquisition and the colonization of the Americas.

In 'España', Giles Tremlett traverses the rich and varied history of Spain, from prehistoric times to today. The book covers Spain's connections to ancient empires such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians, and Byzantines, as well as its colonization of the Americas. Tremlett argues that Spain's defining trait is its lack of a homogenous identity, shaped by generations of changing peoples worshipping Christian, Jewish, and Muslim gods. The book is filled with color illustrations and provides a brisk and informative account of Spain's multifaceted history.