Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition and the Defeat of the Moors - Hardcover

Reston, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0571221262 ISBN 13: 9780571221264

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2006

Synopsis

From historian James Reston comes a riveting account of the pivotal events of 1492, a year that changed the world for ever. Set against the fury and strife that arose from the cinders of medieval Europe, "Dogs of God" chronicles one of the most savage epochs in human history. In an effort to consolidate their powers on the Iberian Peninsula and free themselves from the yoke of the Vatican, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella turned to the priest Tomas de Torquemada, who argued that an Inquisition would strengthen the sovereigns' authority throughout Spain, particularly in the coming campaign against the Moors of Granada. When Granada Fell, tens of thousands of Muslims were given the choice of converting to Christianity or facing death or banishment. Torquemada then turned his ferocity on Spain's Jews, forcing upon them the same grim choice...Reston's compelling narrative brings all of the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition into a terrifyingly brutal focus. But, Reston looks beyond the dark deeds of 1492 as well, capturing the excitement of exploration and promise of the future that were born in the same year as Ferdinand and Isabella turned their eyes toward the creation of a modern empire - and a young sea captain named Christopher Columbus.

About this title

About the Author

James Reston is the author of twelve previous books, including Warriors of God, The Last Apocalypse and Galileo: A Life. He has written articles for The New Yorker, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Time, Rolling Stone and many other publications; three plays; and the scripts for three Frontline documentaries. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Edition details

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0571221262
• ISBN 13: 9780571221264
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384