FREE delivery March 20 - 24. Details

In stock
Usually ships within 3 to 4 days.

[{"displayPrice":"$47.49","priceAmount":47.49,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"47","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"49","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Mq0qgrdlPbUIP4AbC4l3%2FIzOmnzw5ePeuTurYHqpvDOCQtewbqEiUElL8Iu1jEdyf4JY8Fpoh1ltESCOX3veiKS2DRi%2F%2Fnhn98Yo64ur16wmWQNs2OX3xhejkthPlDhI%2BqUXqG5X%2B7E6Q9vCD6mhn5Yb6%2Bt%2FMGvPHsGE3ANDwmQ7DxKAOMbf4g%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$17.21","priceAmount":17.21,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"17","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"21","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Mq0qgrdlPbUIP4AbC4l3%2FIzOmnzw5ePe%2FUcfwczVoSaozPkFA%2B5XxZVRIgmjP7tXyeN2duVLzeJBmVPt1G%2BK8JRpbB%2F8QaQVI%2BJ1gLAsGIcRZNbWUhAOZOxWQDB%2B6lNBm5ZQsw4gh5XNX2PaD%2FSwYOi%2FIIt%2F43KHfwAReynuqObyQJxR06IwXGibO5PIJbwy","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$47.49 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Book Depository US

Sold by

Book Depository US

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Book Depository US

Sold by

Book Depository US

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.

Read full return policy

$3.99 delivery March 24 - April 10. Details

Select delivery location

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by WeBuyBooks-UK

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$40.95
& FREE Shipping. Details

Sold by: Amazon.com

Added

Not added

$43.41
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: Prime Deals, USA

Added

Not added

$42.01
+ $10.52 shipping

Sold by: Agapea_Libros_Urgentes

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

Follow the Author

Patrick Williams

Philip II (European History in Perspective, 85) Paperback – June 18, 2001

by Patrick Williams (Author)

5 ratings

Part of: European History in Perspective (35 books)

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Hardcover

"Please retry"

—

$66.66

Paperback

"Please retry"

$47.49

$26.93

$14.59

Enhance your purchase

Four hundred years after his death, Philip II remains one of the most controversial figures in history, admired and reviled in equal measure. He is a figure of global importance, the first ruler on whose territories the sun never set. He led Europe in its defence against the seemingly irresistable power of the Ottoman Empire and many of the nations of Western Europe were forged in part by their responses to his ambitions - Portugal was conquered and most of Italy was controlled by him, while the Low Countries, England and France fought long and bitter wars against him. Philip proclaimed himself the leader of Catholic Europe but quarrelled incessantly with the popes of the Counter-Reformation. In consolidating his monarchy in Spain, Philip used the arts as a political tool; Titian and Palestrina did some of their greatest work for him.

This new study traces the development of Philip II and of a kingship that lay at the heart of European political, religious and cultural evolution. It looks in detail at the ministers who worked with this most demanding of kings and at the government that evolved during his reign. It deals also with the pressures of a tortured private life and explores the paradox of a man who as a young ruler was deeply prudent but who became extraordinarily aggressive in his old age and who by his successes and failures - both of them on an epic scale - re-shaped the world in which he lived.

Part of series

European History in Perspective
Print length

302 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Red Globe Press
Publication date

June 18, 2001
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.71 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0333630432
ISBN-13

978-0333630433
See all details

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Four hundred years after his death, Philip II remains one of the most controversial figures in history, admired and reviled in equal measure. He is a figure of global importance, the first ruler on whose territories the sun never set. He led Europe in its defence against the seemingly irresistable power of the Ottoman Empire and many of the nations of Western Europe were forged in part by their responses to his ambitions - Portugal was conquered and most of Italy was controlled by him, while the Low Countries, England and France fought long and bitter wars against him. Philip proclaimed himself the leader of Catholic Europe but quarrelled incessantly with the popes of the Counter-Reformation. In consolidating his monarchy in Spain, Philip used the arts as a political tool; Titian and Palestrina did some of their greatest work for him.

This new study traces the development of Philip II and of a kingship that lay at the heart of European political, religious and cultural evolution. It looks in detail at the ministers who worked with this most demanding of kings and at the government that evolved during his reign. It deals also with the pressures of a tortured private life and explores the paradox of a man who as a young ruler was deeply prudent but who became extraordinarily aggressive in his old age and who by his successes and failures - both of them on an epic scale - re-shaped the world in which he lived.

About the Author

Patrick Williams is Professor of Cultural Studies at Nottingham Trent University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Red Globe Press; 2001st edition (June 18, 2001)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0333630432
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0333630433
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.71 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,686,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11,703 in England History
- #20,543 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality
- #133,030 in Military History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
5 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Patrick Williams

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

5 global ratings

5 star		72%
4 star 0% (0%)		0%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star		28%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

M. Michael Crown

Not recommended

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 22, 2008

This version of Philip falls into so many shallow traps repeating the errors and outright lies of Philip's enemies, it is frustrating to read. He makes blanket statements which are just "let me tell you what to think about this" without backing them up.

Having read at least five other bios of Philip, my estimate of this one is that it no where near does justice to the man, his spirit, character or reasons for his decisions.

Walsh's is the most interesting and best researched, even forgetting that it was written long ago. He has the most love for his subject. He really shows Philip's heroic character and immense pressures, along with flaws.

Kamen's is an interesting read, though it almost ignores the Catholic aspect of Philip.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Nikolai G.

a worthy read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 29, 2005

Although this can not compete with the latest masterful biography of Philip II in Spanish, written by Geoffrey Parker (<Felipe II. La biografía definitiva>) it remains a competent overview of the Prudent King's life and reign. Highly readable, it comprehensively covers the major events of the period and Philips role in them. It does not challenge other biographies of Philip II on any significant point, but/and remains a good introduction to the man and his reign and thus a perfect choice for the casual reader or the undergraduate student.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Andromeda

Great Biography

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 21, 2007

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.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Charles Poncet

Don't bother to read the review, just buy the book !!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 9, 2002

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.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Kleio

Excellent survey of a powerful king and his times.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

Williams writes well to provide a fine balance between the personal and the political. Generalisations are supported by facts. One can emerge from this work feeling both sympathy and revulsion for Philip. Deaths of wives and children and an excruciating death on the personal level balance against targeted assassination of opponents, inflexible micro-management, devotion of vast amounts of American silver and Castilian taxation to war and a blind belief in the justice of his cause in the political arena. Philip's main success seems to have been bringing order to the New World so that regular treasure convoys kept him supplied during the last two decades of his rule. Able viceroys distant from his meddling achieved this for him.

Although 'Protestant' winds helped wreck his tree Armadas against England, the author highlights how ill-prepared these ventures were and how Philip overrode the wishes of his commanders. His greatest failures were trying to impose his will on the Dutch, the English and the course of the French Wars of Religion. The effort and resources devoted to these enterprises helped to blacken both his reputation and that of Spain in Northern Europe. The Spanish people did not prosper under his rule although that rule did much to shape the nature of modern Spain. Black Legend and Golden Age went hand in hand.

It is clear that Philip lived very much under the influence of his father Charles V. Even on his deathbed he checked that he would be buried in identical religious garb. The author believes he was a greater king than his father and his rule was indeed very different. Charles was peripatetic while Philip was largely rooted in Spain; Philip had more power and resources than Charles; Philip developed a world empire which was only coming into existence under his father; Charles gave up the struggle and abdicated while Philip battled dwindling health to a very bitter end.

Yet Charles was more flexible and less vindictive than his son, possibly because his power base was more precarious than Philip's but also because Charles did have a more chivalrous and knightly attitude towards kingship. No nefarious stabbings in Madrid backstreets for Charles: instead he respected his promise of safe conduct to Luther. Philip's treatment of Orange, Egmont and Hornes at the start of the Dutch Revolt was a great departure in style from that of his father. Charles was a great linguist but Philip was not. Philip's brief sojourn in England did help to produce a surprisingly pragmatic attitude to Protestant Elizabeth during the 1560's but pragmatism faded as American silver and sclerotic ageing took effect. The law of unintended consequences came into play when he unleashed Alba onto the Dutch and also when he provoked the moriscos and Aragonese revolts.

Though synonymous with the Catholic cause, Philip's relationship with Popes, like that of numerous Catholic rulers, was problematic. His first war was against a pope over family interests in Italy. He never trusted the Jesuits and their fierce papal loyalty. Both Charles and Philip were strong opponents of heresy and it may be that Philip felt the need to compensate for his father's failure to stem the rise of Protestantism. His return to Spain after his father's abdication saw him attend a public condemnation but avoid the subsequent burnings. The burnings under his wife Mary during his London sojourn no doubt whetted his appetite and he expressed boundless joy at news of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in Paris. All adding to the Black Legend.

Charles told Philip to take advice but make his own decisions. The many Councils of his government reported back to Philip and he worked long hours under mountains of paper. He was slow to make decisions but then tended to stick rigidly to them. Organising the world on paper is necessary but it can become a retreat into unreality. In that respect Philip was no different to present-day rulers. Both Charles and Philip show the difficulties and deficiencies of one person rule and the advantage of parliamentary systems which can dismiss a failing leader in an instant. A fact that Americans might like to reflect on as they battle with the problems of Trump and his archaic kingly powers which originate from this early modern era.

I find it difficult to warm to Philip but Williams' work does at least offer the reader the chance to make up their own mind. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

See all reviews

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	6pm Score deals on fashion brands	AbeBooks Books, art & collectibles	ACX Audiobook Publishing Made Easy	Sell on Amazon Start a Selling Account

Amazon Business Everything For Your Business	Amazon Fresh Groceries & More Right To Your Door	AmazonGlobal Ship Orders Internationally	Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee	Amazon Ignite Sell your original Digital Educational Resources	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services

Audible Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide	Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data	ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics	DPReview Digital Photography	Fabric Sewing, Quilting & Knitting

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	IMDbPro Get Info Entertainment Professionals Need	Kindle Direct Publishing Indie Digital & Print Publishing Made Easy	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Prime Video Direct Video Distribution Made Easy

Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Amazon Warehouse Great Deals on Quality Used Products	Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store	Woot! Deals and Shenanigans	Zappos Shoes & Clothing	Ring Smart Home Security Systems

eero WiFi Stream 4K Video in Every Room	Blink Smart Security for Every Home	Neighbors App Real-Time Crime & Safety Alerts	Amazon Subscription Boxes Top subscription boxes – right to your door	PillPack Pharmacy Simplified	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust

Buy new: $47.49$47.49 FREE delivery: March 20 - 24 Ships from: Book Depository US Sold by: Book Depository US

Buy used: $17.21

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Author

Philip II (European History in Perspective, 85) Paperback – June 18, 2001

Enhance your purchase

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Patrick Williams

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$47.49

FREE delivery: March 20 - 24

Ships from: Book Depository US

Sold by: Book Depository US

Buy used:

$17.21