The Moor's Last Stand: How Seven Centuries of Muslim Rule in Spain Came to an End - Hardcover

Drayson, Elizabeth

3.84

186 ratings by Goodreads

9781781256862: The Moor's Last Stand: How Seven Centuries of Muslim Rule in Spain Came to an End

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1781256861 ISBN 13: 9781781256862

Publisher: Profile Books, 2017

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The Moor's Last Stand presents the poignant story of Boabdil, the last Muslim king of Granada. Betrayed by his family and undermined by faction and internal conflict, Boabdil was defeated in 1492 by the forces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of the newly united kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. The Christian victory marked the completion of the long Christian reconquest of Spain and ended seven centuries in which Christians, Muslims and Jews had, for the most part, lived peacefully and profitably together. Five centuries after his death, Boabdil continues to be a potent symbol of resistance to the forces of western Christendom, and his image endures in contemporary culture.

Elizabeth Drayson presents a vivid account of Boabdil's life and times and considers the impact of his defeat then and now.

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Review:

A lively biography ... [Drayson's] account revels in the high drama and spectacular gore of Boabdil's story, which are in plentiful supply. (Dan Jones Sunday Times 2017-04-16)

An enthralling and tragic story that forces the reader to reflect on the nature of heroism and perhaps to reconsider the march of Christian progress. (Gerard DeGroot Times History Books of the Year)

Charming and eye-opening ... Drayson does a splendid job of putting flesh on Boabdil's story (Giles Tremlett Guardian 2017-06-17)

Does justice to Boabdil's life and illuminates the lessons he offers. It is rare today to find a historian with a talent for brevity. In just 180 pages Drayson tells an enthralling and terribly sad story, while forcing the reader to reflect on the nature of heroism. (Gerard DeGroot Times 2017-04-29)

With elegant prose, her book clearly reconstructs the complicated politics of Granada and brings back to life a historical figure shrouded in mystery and legend. Her book is a pleasure to read and an excellent introduction to anyone wishing to delve into the twilight of Muslim Spain. (Francis Soyer BBC History Magazine)

From her Cambridge vantage point, Dr Drayson retells this familiar but dramatic story. Her book is part history, part biography, and wholly readable...It would be a good book to read on a tren de alta velocidad speeding from Madrid to the south. (Andrew Breeze The Tablet)

Times Books of the Year: An enthralling and tragic story that forces the reader to reflect on the nature of heroism and perhaps to reconsider the march of Christian progress (Times 2017-11-25)

From the Author:

The first full account in any language of the last Muslim king in Spain|Based on original research in the region by a leading historian of Granada|Draws attention to the connection between the medieval Moorish king and current social and political concerns.

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