From bloodthirsty conquest to exotic romance, stereotypes of Spain abound.
This new volume by distinguished historian Stanley G. Payne draws on his half-
century of experience to offer a balanced, broadly chronological survey of Spanish
history from the Visigoths to the present. Who were the first .Spaniards.?
Is Spain a fully Western country? Was Spanish liberalism a failure? Examining
Spain.s unique role in the larger history of Western Europe, Payne reinterprets
key aspects of the country.s history. Topics include Muslim culture in the
peninsula, the Spanish monarchy, the empire, and the relationship between Spain
and Portugal. Turning to the twentieth century, Payne discusses the Second Republic
and the Spanish Civil War. The book.s final chapters focus on the Franco regime,
the nature of Spanish fascism, and the special role of the military. Analyzing the
figure of Franco himself, Payne seeks to explain why some Spaniards still regard
him with respect, while many others view the late dictator with profound loathing.
Framed by reflections on the author.s own formation as a Hispanist and his
evaluation of the controversy about .historical memory. in contemporary Spain,
this volume offers deeply informed insights into both the history and the
historiography of a unique country.

Download File Size:1.74 MB

---