Great background for Latin American developments

Any additional comments?

Prof. Ruiz does a great job of explaining how diverse Spain was at the time that Ferdinand and Isabella united the Iberian peninsula (he discusses regional and religious differences) and how that diversity continued and shaped "Spanish" policy. In particular, he does an excellent job explaining the policy differences pursued in Castille and Aragon.

I also have to say that Prof. Ruiz's lectures were first time I have really heard the history behind the development of the latifundio system and the office of the corregidor (two key concepts for understanding Latin American history). Usually, books about Latin America give these concepts short shrift and simply note "they came from Spain". Hearing why they were developed and what their function was in various parts of Spain was very enriching.

¡Ha hecho usted un excelente trabajo, profe!

9 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

An extraordinary history about the truth of 1492

Great attention to separating the myth of the discovery with the reality. The not so glamorous creation of a world wide empire by chance, fate and a lot of luck. And it all started with the Reconquest of a peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. One of my favorite audible books in my history books collection because so much detail, and trivia facts, that makes the discovery of America parallel to the first moon landing. Professor Ruiz is so engaging in his love for separating the fictional accounts from reality that you don't want him to stop. What was made popular in movies and schools is shown against the not so glamorous truth, most times without Hollywood-LIKE happy endings. I hope he continues this into a series!

5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Excellent!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed listening to this lecture and plan to listen to it a second time as well. There is a wealth of information. Some listeners may not like all the context he provides, but I did.

4 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Facinating details of a rich history of the past

The narrator was wonderful in how he presents this wonderful rich history
great detail and wonderful experiances presented.

3 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

hard to follow.

Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz?

Great Courses yes, Professor Ruiz no.

Has The Other 1492: Ferdinand, Isabella, and the Making of an Empire turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz?

Yes

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment, l like the topic, the delivery is bad, also the ongoing effort to talk about his other works is trite.

3 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

too biased

everything was going fine until the lecturer reached the subject of Columbus. Wow...this guy hates Columbus, unfortunately to the point I actually felt sorry for the lecturer to let a historical figure irritate you that much.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

A true picture of 15th century Spain

Professor Ruiz, masterfully weaves political, cultural and sociological components of 1492 Spain and into the early 16th century. He addresses the obvious parts of history we know but also a few of the uncomfortable yet necessary contradictions in how the Spanish monarchy dealt with religion, regional challenges and the new world.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Really informative

Professor Ruiz is a true expert and his lectures are very clear. He does have a Spanish accent, but you get used to it after a while and, of course, it's to be expected since this is about Spanish history. I wish it were not so short and that he had time to discuss in greater depth some important events that only get touched upon here, such as the Inquisition. But it's a great introduction and provides a good background for further research.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Terrible narrator

Narrator's background / resume disqualifies him to speak of such a complex world changing subject it just blew my mind to hear him speak of events with overwhelming proof to be myths

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

land of my forebears

I really appreciated this truthful explanation of Spain's history! Helped me understand the politics of today and the past that Spain brought to the Western Hemisphere. Supposedly, one of my ancestors fought with El Cid. I've been interested in the "Reconquest" ever since learning this. However, I would have loved knowing more about Isabella's fight skills..