Philip II (European History in Perspective) [Paperback]

Patrick Williams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0333630432 | ISBN-13: 978-0333630433 | Publication Date: August 11, 2001 | Edition: First Edition

Four hundred years after his death, Philip II remains one of the most controversial figures in history, admired and reviled in equal measure. This new study traces the development of the 16th-century spanish king and of a kingship that lay at the heart of European political, religious, and cultural evolution. It looks at the government that evolved during his reign as well as the pressures of his tortured private life, exploring the paradox of a man who as a young ruler was deeply prudent but who became extraordinarily aggressive in old age and who reshaped the world through his successes and failures.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'...up-to-date and sound.' - Geoffrey Parker, Ohio State University, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

About the Author

Patrick Williams is Senior Lecturer in Spanish History, University of Portsmouth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (August 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333630432
• ISBN-13: 978-0333630433
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,427,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a worthy read, June 29, 2005

By 

Nikolai G. "Egir" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philip II (European History in Perspective) (Paperback)

A very easy-to-read book, well written, comprehensive, well researched. It does not challenge other biographies of the Prudent King, like those classic ones by G. Parker and H. Kamen, on any significant point, but/and is a nice choice if you are a casual reader, or a student. Well structured and vividly written, with what the Greeks call "a sensitivity towards the subject", and a sensitivity towards the reader, I might add, this is a nice biography in all.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Biography, February 20, 2007

By 

Andromeda (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philip II (European History in Perspective) (Paperback)

Very good and interesting biography on Philip II. It was very easy to read and will written. Becoming the most powerful person in Europe at the time. The amount of land and countries he ruled over is impressive.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother to read the review, just buy the book !!, August 9, 2002

By 

Charles Poncet (Geneva Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philip II (European History in Perspective) (Paperback)

For anyone with an interest in Philip II of Spain or the convulsive times Europe was going through in his age, this is an absolute must. The author's mastery of the subject is obvious and his writing is never heavy or boring. The book is superb, simple, clear,discretly erudite. Mr. Williams writes to please and interest the reader, not to impress the world with his knowledge. His book should be compulsory reading for French historians, most of whom are pompous bores.