Books on Spanish history?

Orizio

I have read Anthony Beevor's The Spanish Civil War and Tremlett's Ghosts of Spain over the past few weeks, and I am about to re-read Orwell's Homage To Catalonia. Beyond that, does anybody have any suggestions with regards to good books about Spanish history, from the middle ages to pretty much the present?

Shutuplaura

Geoffrey Parker was the main historian of Renaissance spanish history we came across when in college - as far as i remember he was quite readable.

Snickers Man

I know it's only a niche area, but I particularly enjoyed reading Mark Kurlansky's A Basque History of the World which gives a very readable account of the history and outlook of the Basque people and their relation to Spain.

hivizman

Two writers to look out for are Raymond Carr and Paul Preston. Carr has written a wide range of books, including some school-level introductions, on the history of Spain. Preston specialises in the 20th century - he wrote the definitive biography of Franco about 10 years ago, and he recently wrote The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge, which was unlucky to come out at about the same time as Antony Beevor's book.