Demonstrating that Columbus's voyage was a new step in a centuries-old process of European expansion; Fernandez-Armesto provides a stimulating account of the broadening of Europe's physical and mental horizons in the Middle Ages. He shows how the techniques and institutions of medieval colonial expansion that were applied to the New World made long-term conquest and settlement possible.A brief introduction analyzes the problems that face students and historians. Then; concentrating on medieval Spanish colonial development; but carefully linking that development to the wider European process of expansion; the author surveys the great areas of expansion in the Western Mediterranean: the island conquests of the House of Barcelona; the "first Atlantic Empire" in Andalusia; its environs; Valencia; and Murcia; the Genoese Mediterranean; and the North African coast.In the last four chapters; Fernandez-Armesto sketches the course and characteristics of early European expansion of the Atlantic before Columbus and highlights the impact of geography and anthropology on the discovery of "the Atlantic space." The emphasis throughout is on tracing the elements of continuity and discontinuity between Mediterranean and Atlantic worlds and studying how colonial societies originate and behave.
#2773335 in Books Stackpole Books 1992-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.38 x 5.55 x 8.24l; 1.27 #File Name: 0811730611448 pages
Review
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Another great bookBy Jeffrey T. ElderThgis is a great war book. Its an easy read. Well worth your money.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Solid work--but datedBy Steven PetersonThis is a solid piece of work; and--in its time--was one of the better resources on the Shenandoah campaign of 1864; pitting Jubal Early and Phil Sheridan against one another; at the head of their respective forces. However; its age shows at some point.The book begins by noting the strategic problems facing Robert E. Lee in the summer of 1864. Ulysses Grant was moving his large Army of the Potomac by a series of moves further south; closer to Richmond. His troops were taking large losses--but the Army of Northern Virginia was getting bled down as well.For a variety of reasons; Lee sent his Second Corps under Early (Lee's "bad old man") to the Shenandoah Valley. Among his tasks--demonstrate Washington DC; help the breadbasket of the Confederacy (the Valley) to produce food; and so on.The book chronicles nicely the early and very successful stage of Early's efforts. With the arrival of Phil Sheridan; lots of Sheridan's cavalry; and abundant ground troops; the tide began to turn. The books describes the battles and the final expulsion of Early from the Valley.All in all; a solid book. But as an epilogue by Scott Hartwig points out; Stackpole probably took some commentators too seriously; he did not have access to more recent information. In short; this would get more points for its role as an early; detailed work on the campaign; however; it has become dated over time. Hence; 3 stars.6 of 8 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy Michael E. FitzgeraldA fine account of a most interesting and crucial series of Civil War battles. Stackpole treats everyone very fairly. Broad in its scope; audacious in its execution this book analyzes the Confederacy's third and final invasion of the North. A very excellent work that is well worth the time.
