John Lynch
1 Excellent explanation of the period.
This book [and " Spain 1516-1598 : From Nation State to World Empire (A History of Spain) "by the same author] has -at least- three strong points on its favor, which makes it very advisable to read: a) it takes great pains to explain -not only to describe- the Spain of the XVII century (a period far less known than the Spain of the XVI century); b) it includes a very relevant section on Spanish America, which is not common in books written on this period; and c) it is reasonable easy to read. I should have rated this book "four and a half" starts. Considering its content, I think it should be five; considering its readability, four. In any event, I do recommend it to read it. (Other books I would recommend to read on Spain: As a general overview, "A History of Spain" by Joseph Perez; and more focused on the XVI -and/or XVII- period: "The Spain of Philip II" by Joseph Perez; "Imperial Spain 1469-1716" and "The Count-Duke of Olivares. The Stateman in an age of decline" both of them written by John Elliot; and "Spain 1469-1714, A Society of Conflict", by Henry Kamen).
