Modern Spain

Spain's transition to democracy after Franco's long dictatorship was widely hailed as a success, ushering in three decades of unprecedented progress and prosperity. Yet over the past decade, its political consensus has been under severe strain. A stable two-party system has splintered, with disruptive new parties on the far left and far right. No government has had a majority since 2015. Michael Reid overturns the stereotypical view of Spain as a country haunted by its Francoist past.

Portugal is an established member of the European Union, one of the founders of the euro currency and a founding member of NATO. Yet it is an inconspicuous and largely overlooked country on the continent’s southwest rim. Barry Hatton shines a light on this enigmatic corner of Europe by blending historical analysis with entertaining personal anecdotes. He describes the idiosyncrasies that make the Portuguese unique and surveys the eventful path that brought them to where they are today.

When Jack Hitt set out to walk the 500 miles from France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, he submitted to the rigorous traditions of Europe's oldest form of packaged tour, a pilgrimage that has been walked by millions in the history of Christendom. Off the Road is an unforgettable exploration of the sites that people believe God once touched.

Bloomsbury presents Spain by Robert Goodwin, read by Jeremy Clyde. In the sixteenth century, the Spaniards became the first nation in history to have worldwide reach—across most of Europe to the Americas, the Philippines, and India. The Golden Age of the Spanish Empire would establish five...

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Rosamunde Pilcher’s Sleeping Tiger, a woman’s search for answers about her family history takes her on an unexpected journey of self-discovery… Whenever Selina asked about her late father, the grandmother who raised her changed the subject. The...

Whereas so many 20th-century Spanish histories begin with Franco and the devastating Civil War, Paul Preston's magisterial work begins in the late 19th century with Spain's collapse as a global power, especially reflected in its humiliating defeat in 1898 at the hands of the United States and its loss of colonial territory. 

The History of Mexico (Historia de México): From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Times Discover the rich and complex history of Mexico in this captivating journey through time. From the mighty Aztecs, Maya, and Toltecs to the Spanish conquest, the struggle for independence, and the transformative Mexican Revolution, this book explores the key events, figures, and cultural developments that have shaped Mexico into the nation it is today. Delve into the rise and fall of great empires, the impact of colonial rule, the wars that defined its borders, and the modern challenges of politics, ...

War has reached its breaking point—and now, survival is no longer certain. In Gerona, a city stands on the edge of collapse. Cut off, starving, and under constant threat, its people endure a siege that tests the limits of human strength. Through Gabriel de Araceli’s eyes, the reality of war is stripped bare—no longer distant or heroic, but immediate, relentless, and deeply personal. In Cádiz, the struggle continues in a city that refuses to fall. Surrounded by danger yet alive with purpose, Cádiz becomes a place where war, politics, and everyday life collide. As Gabriel navigates ...

The winning goal came in the 106th minute. The system behind it took years to build. A championship is often remembered through one player, one goal, and one unforgettable celebration. But what had to be true before the ball reached Ferran Torres at the decisive moment? The 106th Minute tells the story of how Spain transformed extraordinary talent into a coordinated system capable of surviving the most demanding tournament in international soccer. Beginning with a frustrating opening draw and ending with an extra-time victory over Argentina, the book traces the hidden structure behind the ...

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.

A riveting and deeply researched account of King Juan Carlos’s epic fall from grace. Paul Preston, the preeminent historian of modern Spain, here lays bare the complex web of financial and sexual excess that led to the hero’s vertiginous downfall. For decades, King Carlos was immensely...

When ambition becomes delusion, and dreams turn to ruin. Don Faustino López de Mendoza possesses everything but fortune—an ancient noble name, brilliant literary aspirations, and unshakeable confidence in his poetic genius. Trapped in a provincial Andalusian town while dreaming of conquering Madrid's artistic circles, this impoverished aristocrat spins grand illusions about the glorious destiny that awaits him. But reality has other plans. As Faustino pursues three women—the unattainable Costanza, the elusive María, and the passionate Rosita—his romantic ambitions collide with his ...

Discover Valencia: A Three-Day Adventure Uncover the Secrets of Valencia in Just Three Days! Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking beauty of Valencia, Spain, with this immersive travel guide. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, "Three Days in Valencia" offers a curated journey through the city's most iconic sights and hidden gems. Benefits of This Book Insider Tips Discover local favorites and must-see attractions to make the most of your visit. Day-by-Day Itinerary Follow a structured plan that covers the best of Valencia in three days. Culinary Highlights...

Javier Vega was a celebrated travel writer and a master of cynical, secular intellect. He built his life on tearing down the beliefs of others from the comfortable cafes of Madrid. But when a shipwreck strips away his pride, leaving him stranded with nothing but a waterproof bag and a King James Bible, Javier returns to Spain a fundamentally changed man. He did not survive the ocean to return to the world's applause. Confronted by his elite peers, Javier's newfound faith costs him his closest friends, his lucrative career, and his social standing. Exiled from his own life, he quietly opens ...

When devotion becomes desire, faith faces its greatest test. Doña Luz is a young widow of impeccable virtue, devout and resigned to a life of quiet solitude in her Andalusian town. Under the spiritual guidance of the eloquent Father Enrique, she has found solace in religious contemplation, seeking meaning beyond the world's vanities. But Father Enrique harbors a secret struggle. Despite his sacred vows and fervent piety, he finds himself drawn to Doña Luz in ways that terrify him. As their spiritual bond deepens, the line between religious ecstasy and earthly passion begins to blur. When ...

As the Napoleonic Wars draw to a close, Spain stands at a crossroads. In The Baggage of King Joseph, Benito Pérez Galdós follows the final days of Joseph Bonaparte's rule through a nation scarred by war, where soldiers, civilians, and patriots struggle with the uncertain future left behind by years of conflict. Victory brings hope—but it also exposes old divisions that peace alone cannot heal. The story continues in Memoirs of a Courtier of 1815, a brilliant political satire narrated by the unforgettable Juan Bragas de Pipaón. Clever, shameless, and endlessly ambitious, Pipaón leads ...

The war for Spain reaches its turning point. In this powerful concluding volume of the first series of The National Episodes, Benito Pérez Galdós brings together two defining moments of the Peninsular War—where courage, resistance, and history collide. In Juan Martín “El Empecinado”, readers encounter one of Spain’s most legendary guerrilla leaders, a man shaped by loyalty, defiance, and an unyielding commitment to his country. Through vivid storytelling, Galdós captures the spirit of resistance that defined a nation under occupation. In The Battle of the Arapiles, the conflict ...

At the height of Napoleon’s power, Spain is no longer a distant battlefield—it becomes the center of a struggle that will reshape a nation. In Napoleon in Chamartín, the French emperor himself enters Madrid, and the illusion of stability collapses. Through the eyes of Gabriel de Araceli, the cost of occupation comes sharply into focus as ordinary lives are swept into extraordinary events. What once seemed like distant war now presses into the streets, the homes, and the conscience of a people forced to endure it. In Zaragoza, resistance rises. Amid siege, devastation, and unyielding ...

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, Spain stands on the edge of transformation—its fate shaped by war, power, and the fragile machinery of the royal court. In Trafalgar, a young boy, Gabriel de Araceli, is swept into one of the most decisive naval battles in European history. Through his eyes, the chaos and courage of war come alive as fleets clash and empires tremble. What begins as an adventure becomes a defining moment that will shape both his life and the future of Spain. In The Court of Charles IV, the battlefield gives way to intrigue. Within the halls of power, loyalties shift, ...

Spain stands on the edge of collapse. The promise of constitutional liberty is under siege. In Madrid, political factions clash in the streets as conspiracies spread through the capital and loyalties shift with every passing day. Across the country, a foreign army marches toward Spain, determined to restore absolute monarchy and bring an end to the constitutional revolution. Caught in the turmoil are men and women whose lives become inseparable from the fate of a nation. Soldiers, statesmen, spies, exiles, and ordinary citizens must navigate impossible choices as ambition, love, vengeance, ...