In the 16th century the Spanish amassed the largest empire the
world has ever known. Presiding over it was Philip II (1527-98) who
ruled his nation with an iron fist, terrorized Europe and dominated
the Americas. History has always treated him rather harshly,
characterizing him as a religious fanatic, bigot and aggrandizing
dictator. On the 400th anniversary of his death the time is right
for the fundamental re-assessment of his public and personal life
which Professor Kamen gives us. Drawing on the king's
correspondence and other hitherto underutilized sources this
biography offers a much more balanced and generous picture of one
of the great figures of European history. (Kirkus UK)
"A historian's biography of Philip II as Renaissance prince,
refuting the Elizabethan propaganda picture of the spider of the
Escorial."-New York Times Book Review (And Bear in Mind) "In
humanizing a man too often viewed as a cardboard tyrant, Kamen has
made a valuable contribution to European historiography."-Booklist
Philip II of Spain-ruler of the most extensive empire the world had
ever known-has been viewed in a harsh and negative light since his
death in 1598. Identified with repression, bigotry, and fanaticism
by his enemies, he has been judged more by the political events of
his reign than by his person. This book, published four hundred
years after Philip's death, is the first full-scale biography of
the king. Placing him within the social, cultural, religious, and
regional context of his times, it presents a startling new picture
of his character and reign. Drawing on Philip's unpublished
correspondence and on many other archival sources, Henry Kamen
reveals much about Philip the youth, the man, the husband, the
father, the frequently troubled Christian, and the king. Kamen
finds that Philip was a cosmopolitan prince whose extensive
experience of northern Europe broadened his cultural imagination
and tastes, whose staunchly conservative ideas were far from being
illiberal and fanatical, whose religious attitudes led him to
accept a practical coexistence with Protestants and Jews, and whose
support for Las Casas and other defenders of the Indians in America
helped determine government policy. Shedding completely new light
on most aspects of Philip's private life and, in consequence, on
his public actions, the book is the definitive portrayal of Philip
II.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
