Tells the story of Spain's rise to greatness from its humble beginnings as one of the poorest and most marginal of European countries. This book charts the rise and fall of Habsburg Spain.

Since its first publication, J. H. Elliott's classic chronicle has become established as the most comprehensive, balanced, and accessible account of the dramatic rise and fall of imperial Spain. Now with a new preface by the author, this brilliant study unveils how a barren, impoverished, and isolated country became the greatest power on earth-and just as quickly fell into decline.

A major work on Spanish history (The Economist)"