The Middle Ages in Spain—the the period from the Muslim conquest of 711 to the expulsion of the Jews and the defeat of the last Muslim ruler in 1492—witnessed an extraordinary "Golden Age" through the intermingling of its Jewish; Muslim; and Christian inhabitants. This volume explores the nature of their coexistence (termed convivencia by Spanish historians); which embraced not only ideological interchange and cultural influence; but also mutual friction; rivalry; and suspicion.The cultural and social dynamics underlying convivencia powerfully influenced the creation of poetry; art; architecture; and the material culture of Spain; as well as the transmission and absorption of scientific ideas and technology from East to West. Explored by leading scholars in each of these fields; the cultural treasures of convivencia range from Hebrew biblical manuscripts illuminated with Islamic stylistic motifs; to astrolabes with Latin inscriptions; to the first examples of secular Hebrew poetry. More than one hundred of the objects are united for the first time in an exhibition at the Jewish Museum; New York.At a time when the study of cultural fusion is receiving increasing attention; this volume offers a fresh and comprehensive view of Spain's pluralistic medieval society. Moreover; it celebrates an inspiring history of cultural achievement in the context of intergroup relations that were both negative and positive. 36 color and 60 b/w plates.
#1582528 in Books 2012-03-14 2012-03-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x 1.11 x 6.39l; 1.44 #File Name: 0807143472344 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Gritty details and Great Maps and TablesBy Philip T McBrideI used Granbury's Texas Brigade extensively in researching for my novel about the Sixth Texas Infantry; Whittled Away. While acknowledging that Lundberg is the second historian to cover the history of Granbury's Texas Brigade in its own book; I kept going back to this new book for Lundberg's fresh perspective and the primary source quotes from soldiers. The tables of the brigade demographics and battle maps that focused on the brigade were especially valuable as well. This is one I recommend for those wanting to learn the gritty details of this group of Texans during the Civil War.Phil McBrideLockhart; Texas1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Good AccountBy James WadeThis history consolidated the many sources to provide a comprehensive account of the events that brought together this group of fighting men. I have read other accounts of many of the events and find this one very compelling.At times the repetitive statements of the overall hypotheses of the book are just too much of the same thing making the book sound more like a grad students dissertation than an a flowing narrative.Overall; I found the time spent reading it to be well spent.Finally; I would note that my great great grandfather was a member of the 10th Texas Infantry and Grandbury's Texas Brigade.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Granbury's Texas Brigade: Diehard Western...By R. A. BRADSHAWA good companion to "This Band Of Heroes"; which covers Granbury's Texas Brigade; as well.
