Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466 (The Royal Diaries)

Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466 (The Royal Diaries)
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Isabel, Jewel of Castilla

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Isabel, Jewel of Castilla

The diary of this brilliant spanish queen

Isabel: Jewel of Castilla, Spain, 1466 (The Royal Diaries)
Carolyn Meyer
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439078059

Customer Reviews:

Isabel, Jewel of Castilla.......2007-06-05

This book is very interesting, and, I must admit, kind of funny. It is about the teen-aged Isabel, princess of Castilla, and her brother Enrique's contiual attemps to 'marry her off' to men she hates. In fact, at one point in the book, when Enrique's wife askes if she wants to wear this or that dress to her wedding, she says, 'I would rather wear a buarial shroud!' The reader of this review will be pleased to know the Isabel didn't have to put on a buarial shroud in order to escape marrige. This book is easily one of the better books in the Royal Diaries series. There is a movie to go with the book, and I think that it is very good, but I haven't seen it yet.

Love it.......2007-01-08

I totally love this book!! I've read it for 3 times and I never get bored with it. Even though I read it 3 years ago, it's still my favourite. It's the first book of The Royal Diaries that made me want to read the rest of the Royals..I should recommend this. It really brought me back to the past. In their time, where women wore fashionable gowns and men were gentlemen asking them for a dance.
I can't wait to read more of The Royal Diaries.

GREAT BOOK.......2006-11-24

I LOVED this book!!!!!!!!! It was one of my favorites in the series. Isabel Jewel of Castilla, is about a Spanish girl who's father (the king) died, and her mother is mourning. Her stepbrother Enrique becomes king and is married to Queen Juana. Her other brother King Alfonso rules another part of the land. With two kings there is a lot of trouble. King Enrique wants Isabel to marry the King of Portugal (El Escorpion) but,her ladies-in-waiting, her best friend Beatriz, and all of her protectors and the supporters of King Alfonso help her to meet Prince Fernando, the one she wants to marry. This is a great book, easy to understand, and very exciting. I recommend this book for everyone, and you won't be disappointed.

Isabel, Jewel of Castilla.......2006-05-08

This book is about a young girl named Isabel. Isabel is the future queen of Spain. She lives a well life, but it is full of sadness at times. Her brother, King Enrique, has forced her to stay at a castle in Segovia away from her widowed mother. She cannot leave without his consent. She has a very hard time trying to be faithful to both her brothers. She despises King Enrique, but tolerates him because secretly she is trying to overthrow him and put her other brother, King Alfonso, in charge of all of Spain.
I liked this book because it informed me about Spain and several of its rulers. It also informed me about some of Spain's culture.
I didn't like this book because it had many sad points. Poor Isabel looses a couple of her friends and family. She's left fatherless, friendless, and with out her brother.
I loved this books ending. It was so happy. Isabel gets her wish and she get married to someone SHE chose. That was very rare in Isabel's time period. Usually princes and princesses had arranged marriages.
I recommend this book to everyone! It is one of the best books in The Royal Diaries series!

The diary of this brilliant spanish queen.......2005-06-23

I loved Isabele and found it interesting all the way.Isabel is brought up in a time when women must marry whoever is chosen for them, but Isabelle wants to marry her true love and have a happy life. She is also pretty scared of her brother and lets him take over her. Most bits of this diary are quite sad and i loved the way Isabele only announces her true character in the end. When I sabel loses three beloved ones she meets the prince of her dreams and wants to marry him instantly. She also wants to become the Queen of Spain and live in luxury with her husband. The diary of this lady knight who will fight for her freedom is tragic but in the end something rather pleasant occurs. Im not going to tell you! You read the book and see! I will give this book an a+ and is definitely one of the top 5 royal diaries. A pure classic

Ferdinand and Isabella (Profiles in Power)

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Ferdinand and Isabella (Profiles in Power)
J. Edwards
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0582218160

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Isabel of Spain
An apologia for Xenophobia
Fascinating story of a remarkable woman
The authoritative biography.

Isabel Of Spain: Catholic Queen
Warren H. Carroll
Manufacturer: Christendom Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0931888433

Book Description

One of the most powerful and compelling figures of all history, Isabel of Spain was a force with which to be reckoned, and should rightfully eclipse the better-known Elizabeth of England, both as a woman and a national leader. The first full scholarly biography of Queen Isabel in English for nearly seventy-five years, Isabel is extensively annotated and eminently readable.

Customer Reviews:

Isabel of Spain.......2005-08-18

I want to counter the reviewer of this book who was so angered by it. I found this book to be in agreement with other historians who look at Isabel in the light of her times without modern prejudices and preconceptions. She was an exceptionally great historical figure; this book tells you why. It will help you to understand Isabel's world and how she took a corrupt and chaotic state and ushered it into a golden age.
Another great biography of Isabel is William Thomas Walsh's "The Last Crusader, Isabella of Spain" published in 1930. I recommend reading both biographies.

An apologia for Xenophobia.......2003-03-24

In the most glowing terms, the author enamored of this Queen, makes excuses for her bad behavior. Using the "times" as a rationale, he mentions that she expelled the Jews, pursued the Moors, executed people who said they had converted to the Catholic religion. The inquisitions began under her reign. What, for heaven's sake is there to be proud of? However, this slavish tome does just that. She did have to fight for her rights as a monarch in a time when women were relegated to royal cows. That much I'll say, but this book mostly angered me. Now, if she had been forward thinking, I'd say that was something to read about.

Fascinating story of a remarkable woman.......2000-06-06

Dr. Carroll has again done a magnificent job of making history interesting. His portrayal of Isabel is gripping, his scholarly foundation is excellent, and his style is highly readable. I especially appreciated his comments on the Spanish Inqisition - a viewpoint you won't hear from most historians! Isabel is one of the most admirable women figures in the history of the world, and an excellent model for all women concerned with true feminism. Her humanity, intelligence, compassion, wisdom and courage are inspiring. Thank you, Dr. Carroll, for your service to the truth in bringing her so vividly to life.

The authoritative biography........1999-04-02

This is the most thoroughly researched biography of Queen Isabel found in English. Written by an American historian, it's surprisingly readable.

The Best Boy in Spain: El Mejor Mozo De Espana

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The Best Boy in Spain: El Mejor Mozo De Espana
Lope De Vega , David M. Gitlitz , and Lope De Vega
Manufacturer: Bilingual Review Press.
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Isabella of Spain: The Last Crusader (1451-1504)

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Wow, where to begin
Isabella the Magnificent
Beautiful, Remarkable, Prophetic
The finest History I Have Ever Read...
Towers over baseless criticisms

Isabella of Spain: The Last Crusader (1451-1504)
William Thomas Walsh
Manufacturer: T A N Books & Publishers
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Customer Reviews:

Wow, where to begin.......2006-08-10

People accept this as history? It is argued that Walsh looks at the facts and presents an unbiased view of history? Are we reading the same book?

I tend to agree with the reviewer who felt that Walsh was anti-Semitic. I won't go so far as to say that, but Walsh does seem to come off that way. First off, Walsh himself admitted that the Jews and conversos were in the minority. Not only were they in the minority but they were condemned and risked much of their well being for their faiths. Yet Walsh would have us believe that the Jews and conversos ran everything, that they controlled Spain before Isabella and Fernando came to the scene. I would agree partially, that they indeed did have some among the most wealthy, just from the fact that they tended to lend tons of money to the crown. But to go so far as to claim they ruled Spain, and not only ruled it but flaunted their religion and mocked the Catholic faith? Rubbish, pure rubbish. And I understand that we must put ourselves in the time of Isabella and try and understand the religious climate, but Walsh goes too far, so far in fact he brings his own beliefs into his telling.

His beliefs trick him into believing the totals given by propagandist chroniclers (Pulgar) and Inquisitors tales. When the Inquisitors came to town, everyone flocked to confess their sins and how they erred towards their faith. It was the only sure way of not having the finger pointed at you by someone else and receiving a harsh punishment, if not death! So to believe that there were that many conversos and sinners to their faith because the Inquisitors found them just doesn't make sense, yet Walsh believes this. He also uses as his main source, and he doesn't use many of them, Pulgar, who just happens to be Isabella's chronicler while she lived. Any amateur historian would know that chroniclers puff their patrons egos and make them sound better (read the Plantagenet Chronicles if you want a look at how they wrote); that they use it as propaganda not only to earn the respect of their patron but flatter their ego as well; that if they painted their monarch in a bad light they would be summarily executed or ruined politically. This is why it is hard to use chroniclers of that king/queen's lifetime, or even the king/queens of the same lineage. So these must be taken with a grain of salt and weed through it. Yet Walsh quotes Pulgar throughout the book, sometimes using him as the sole source for a chapter. And this is well researched?

As well, which hints of Walsh's use of Pulgar, Walsh paints Isabella as this royal saint who could do no wrong. When she rules she stands above everyone and blesses freed slaves at her feet, when she is struggling for her future she looks up at who she will conquer (metaphorically speaking of course; as not many queens or kings would do much differently in real life). When she says move the mountain, the Moors (those heathens in Walsh's eyes) laugh at her stupidity, then eat their words as Isabella proves them wrong. She sets out in the middle of the night in rain, all by herself racing on horseback to Ponce de Leon's castle and demands he hand his son or the castle over. Huh? First off, this is propaganda from Pulgar. But lets look at it. No King or Queen could traipse away on a horse without having a trail of servants, knights, you name it charging off with her. It is just unheard of. Yet Walsh uses the propaganda bit to fluff her up and make her magnanimous to the reader.

Walsh briefly mentions Frederick Barbarossa II and calls him an infidel. He doesn't do this trying to portray what the popes thought, and are instead his own thoughts. How does an unbiased historian/biographer come to call the Holy Roman Emperor an infidel? The popes of the time fought against and excommunicated him because he was a free thinker, because he didn't cow to the popes desire and was essentially an individualistic monarch in time where monarchs cowed to the Papacy. So Walsh takes the hardline Catholic view, or perhaps it is a view based on limited knowledge of that epic period in European history, and calls him an infidel! Unbelievable.

I could go on, but I will end with one quote from his book. "...some of his blood which had fallen profusely on the flagstones and had dried there, suddenly liquefied and bubbled up". How does Walsh treat this? He condemns Lea (a contemporary of Walsh) because Lea sneered at this bit of religious fervor and rumor. He doesn't write as though the people of the times believed it (which they certainly did) but instead writes as though he believes it because the "records were made by eye-witnesses of considerable intelligence". What does this tell us? That Walsh was most definitely not unbiased in his presentation of Isabella and most certainly caused his judgment to be skewed and twisted so that we have nothing more than one long propagandist piece.

How then does he do it, how does he write so that people believe him? Because he flowers his telling like a novel and tries to make it an easy and effortless read. How could he possibly know the detail that he gives? Writing about each individual on the street, what they were wearing and what they looked like. You can't you simply cannot know that kind of detail, yet his whole biography is full of it. Or he will show someone dashing off to war and just before they go to battle a cardinal will spontaneously give a speech, which Walsh just happens to know all three minutes of it. I understand written speeches, and even smaller speeches being recorded as they're given, but two and half page speeches? That becomes more someone interpreting what that person said, which is not reliable. Or how about when one of the estimable catholic Inquisitors who could do no wrong is ambushed by the dirty conversos, Walsh flowers it up by trying to quote what the killers said just before they attacked! This is not a biography, and should not be accepted as one. For a good example of a history book written like a novel but still sticks to the facts and is not clouded by his internal beliefs, read "The Armada" by Garrett Mattingly.

I should have known better looking at the "prestigious" awards he apparently received, all from very catholic institutions. Or perhaps the fact that the person that sent this book to me sells only religious books, and sends a newsletter out that focuses on David Irving (you know, the guy that says the holocaust never happened, yeah, nuts like that; kind of like Walsh). Some kudos for his writing ability, but certainly not for his biographical skills. I would definitely not recommend.

1.75 stars.

Isabella the Magnificent .......2006-01-28

This biography by William Thomas Walsh is one of the finest I've ever seen. It reads like a novel of high adventure. If all you know abut Queen Isabella is that she financed the voyages of Columbus then please pick up this book and settle in for a long and exciting read. Walsh vividly recreates the brutal world that baby Isabella was born into and actually mananges to create a feeling of suspense as the quiet little girl faces a world of dangers alone. Her father died when she was an infant, her mother was too depressed to function and her older brother was a spineless weakling who not only didn't look out for her but was an actual danger to her.

While still a pre-teen she found herself living in the most immoral court in Europe. Before she was 17 she survived terrible peril and worked her way into a successful marriage with Prince Ferdinand of Aragon. The marriage lasted 35 years and they only had two public disagreements. That's pretty impressive right there.

She fearlessly rescued her country from anarchy, attacks from Portugal and drove the Moors out after they'd occupied Spain for over 700 years. Walsh writes brilliantly of the huge battles and the desperate skirmishes. Isabella's triumphs, tragedies and rock solid faith come to life on the pages of this book.

Catherine of Aragon was a woman of extraordinary character and courage and after reading this book you will see where she got it from; her magnificent mother. I absolutely loved this highly entertaining biography.

Beautiful, Remarkable, Prophetic.......2005-11-01

William Thomas Walsh's "Isabella of Spain" is a masterpiece. Walsh herein relates a story more dramatic and remarkable than fiction and more crucially relevant than today's headlines. The story of Isabella, the great Catholic Queen, is a tale of faithful determination, ingenuity, and the power of Christian love. Walsh relates how Isabella completes the 700 year struggle for the reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from Moslem domination with all the drama and style of the greatest of novelists. Here is a story of intrigue and valor, brought to life by the personal revelations of one of history's truly greatest monarchs, male or female.

There are extraordinary parallels between late 15th century Spain and 21st century America. Walsh relates that, behind the scenes, the Spain ultimately ruled by Isabella was one where Jewry had greater power than in any other Western nation in history. It was known in some clandestine circles as the "New Jerusalem". Remarkbably, Michael Collins Piper recently sytled the United States in the same manner in a like titled volume. Isabella was confronted with a fifth column in her work of reconquering and reuniting Spain, that of the Conversos, or false Christians. How like the situation of modern America this is. Isabella was able to triumph over this subversive movement, ultimately through invocation of Pope Sixtus' bull of Inquisition, one of the least understood epics in history.

As sovereigns of the reunited Spain, Isabella and her spouse, Fernando, made Spain the world's leading power. This was accomplished through the insightful commissioning of the voyages of Christopher Columbus and the well chosen marriages of their children. Prince Juan and Princess Juana were doubly wedded to Hapsburg Austria. Although Isabella's first born, the aforementioned Prince Juan, died very soon after his marriage and before reaching his twenties, her youngest daughter, Catalina, whom the English knew as Catherine of Aragon, went on to make her significant mark on world history.

This is tremendous history, soulfully told and beautifully written. The world desperately needs another Isabella. And we certainly need more historians who can write with the skill and courage of William Thomas Walsh. This is a great book.

The finest History I Have Ever Read..........2005-03-11

As a life-long student of History with a BA in Medieval History from UCLA, I was absolutely floored by the triumph of historiographical method this book represents. The "reviewer" (who didn't have the integrity to name himself) certainly has no understanding of the role of the historian - to document, NOT to judge. All the great modern medievalists have striven with the utmost of care to cast off the biases of the historians of the past (mostly English Protestants writing about a Catholic Europe) and examine the Middle Ages in a way that will lead to a deeper understanding of the mentality of those who lived in those times. It is completely IMPOSSIBLE for anyone who did not grow up in Isabella's age to come close to fully understanding her motives, her experiences, her thoughts, her beliefs, or her reasons for doing what she did. We live in such a faithless, godless, hyper-secularized world that we rush to judge harshly those who were steeped in faith and unwaivering in belief, as was Isabela La Catolica. If you want to understand medieval Spain and the glorious victories and achievements of this magnificently brilliant and faith-filled woman, read this masterpiece. If you have no interest, like the anonymous "reviewer" in understanding the world as it once was, stick to the politically correct, completely useless "history" that so often passes for scholarship these days.

Towers over baseless criticisms.......2004-03-15

A well-researched and documented account of Isabel of Spain and her times. Despite the wild and ignorant condemnations by a very few biased and unhistorically-minded individuals, this book is very honest, well-argued (if one considers the use of logic and reason as the key to effective argument or propositioning) and historically sound. Walsh makes no statement which is not at least supportable using the historical documents available to us. Contrary to one statement I have heard, the book was in fact appreciated and recognized by the professional historical community, though it is true that some had criticisms of it on this point or that (the case for almost any good work of history.) One particular case of this is the La Guardia case, which Walsh's treatment of came under fire from Dr. Roth. Walsh, however, defended himself brilliantly in a published article afterwards and maintained the probability (or at the very least the possibility) of his own position regarding that much disputed case. Any serious and honest researcher of the period could, regardless of personal biases and viewpoints, vouch for the essential faith to and adherence to the available primary sources by Walsh. Once upon a time, during research for my B.A. in history, I had occasion to closely study many of the documents relating to this Queen and which Walsh made use of, and can safely say that I never found anything contradictory to a single one of Walsh's important propositions. The charge of anti-semitism, which those same few whom I have mentioned already above level against him, fails for two main reasons. 1) Walsh's already mentioned historical soundness and integrity (i.e.- straightforward use of the availabe information...thats what history is!!). This is to say, that Walsh does not twist or manipulate the documentary evidence in any way so as to present a false picture of the conversos or Jews or anyone else. His account does not mismatch with the facts that we know. 2) Walsh's own attitude towards the Jewish faith and it's adherents, has been well published and can be seen collectively as definitely not anti-semitic (see particularly his essay on Moses in 'Characters of the Inquisition' and others of his works.) One must understand that, yes, Walsh was a practicing Catholic and that entails a certain theologic viewpoint towards the Jewish faith (which, incidentally, includes a recognition of its unique and important character and mission in history) but to assert that a believing Catholic (that is, one who believes that what his Church teaches is true..such as regarding its teaching towards those who reject the divinity of Christ) cannot write accurate history is itself pure prejudice and indefensible bias. For the record, it is also important to note that Walsh detested Nazism, as a hateful, irreligious, and violent force. He and it had nothing in common.
I recommend this book as an excellent full-length study of Isabel whose only comparable rival is Dr. Carroll's much newer 'Isabel of Spain'. Good reading.

Isabel The Queen: Life And Times (The Middle Ages Series)

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Isabel The Queen: Life And Times (The Middle Ages Series)
Peggy K. Liss
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Queen Isabella: And The Unification Of Spain (European Queens)

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Simplistic and superficial even for school use.

Queen Isabella: And The Unification Of Spain (European Queens)
Nancy Whitelaw
Manufacturer: Morgan Reynolds Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 1931798257

Customer Reviews:

Simplistic and superficial even for school use........2007-06-21

Quick read, may wet appetite for an in depth biography of Queen Iabella (Isabel la Catolica in Spanich).
ONE GROSS ERROR on Chapter 9 The Question of Succession.
Isabella's daughter known as Catherine of Artagon had a surviving daughter with Henry VIII: Mary Tudor!

Isabel la Católica, Queen of Castile: Critical Essays

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superior scholarship
Uncommonly insightful and well-balanced
History at its finest!

Isabel la Católica, Queen of Castile: Critical Essays
David A. Boruchoff
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Few historical figures have continued to captivate attention for centuries after their death as has Queen Isabel I of Castile. Yet the realities of Isabel's life and works are obscured by the legacy of a persona carefully crafted by Isabel and a cadre of historians in her employ or that of her successors, who recognized the benefits of an image of benevolence and piety. This volume includes original essays that examine the world into which Isabel was born; the public and private facets of her marriage and reign; her intervention in the areas of religion, medicine, the arts, and the reform of political, social and economic institutions; and the construction of her image in literary and historical works from the fifteenth century onward.

Customer Reviews:

superior scholarship.......2003-12-13

While there are several major studies of political and social conditions during the reign of Isabel I of Spain, her letters and oratory have remained almost untouched until now. The two essays by David A. Boruchoff in this collection address this deficiency with brilliance, affording a profound understanding of the inner workings of her approach to national and international relations, and of the reservations expressed by those commonly seen as her promoters and allies. The remaining essays are more varied in their interest and quality. These range from serious analyses of religious and social minorities (Jews and Muslims), of medical practitioners within the new political order, and of Isabel's education and struggle to become queen, to more run of the mill pieces on her place in literature, art, and theatre. Nevertheless, the volume as a whole benefits from wonderfully acurate and vibrant translations of primary texts, many never before available in any form in English. Readers may therefore wish to pick and choose among the essays, but this collection is required reading for anyone wishing to know how Isabel's rule really worked, and why she was so successful.

Uncommonly insightful and well-balanced.......2003-10-06

Most books about the Catholic Monarchs are either apologetic or censorious, either panegyrics to the crown's magesty or cruel in condemning its abuse of power. This collection is instead a well-balanced and thoughtful reconsideration of both the good and bad aspects of an extraordinary reign, in which Isabel I of Castile had to confront, and overcome, challenges in both her public and private lives. Some of the essays published here achieve even-handedness by merely presenting the facts of Isabel's engagement in events such as the struggle to become queen, the conquest of Granada, the discovery of America, and her support for the arts and learning. But most are also critical (as the title promises) in a good way: by dissecting the way that she left her mark on history and is remembered by it. There are many new insights here, even in much analyzed areas such as the Catholic Monarchs' dealings with Jews, Muslims, and the Inquisition. But best are the chapters that examine the language of history itself, because in these (especially the first and last essays by the editor) one finds original and thought-provoking insights into problems that go well beyond Spain and Isabel herself, so as to illuminate the relationship between writing and power: history, the scepter and those who wield them.

History at its finest!.......2003-10-01

This collection is an excellent introduction to the reign of the Catholic Monarch, Isabel, and especially to the works written by and about her. While the chapters on her role in religion and on her figure in theater are a bit too general, most of the essays are full of new insights, well-documented commentary, and useful leads for further reading. I was particularly impressed by the two chapters on Isabel's historiography, and that on the crown's relations with its medical officers. These were fascinating and beautifully written, and I have seen nothing on these topics in the many books and articles that I have read about Isabel, both in English and Spanish. In summation, this is a first-rate book, and a "must" for anyone interested in Spain, early-modern women, monarchs, and the way that history is really written.

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Amor y Predestinación

Amor y predestinacion
Jose Antonio Ugarte
Manufacturer: Ediciones B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

One of the most emblematic and fascinating women in history, Isabel I of Castilla, is reimagined in the pages of this fictional account of her youth. In spite of documents about her indomitable character and smart rulership, there remain mysteries about her life that this novel begins to untangle, while also raising fundamental questions about destiny and the human condition.

Customer Reviews:

Amor y Predestinación.......2007-09-22

It is a nice book, well written, does tells the actual history of queens elisabeth in a way that you'll never get bore of the book.

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Ferdinand and Isabella
Felipe Fern-Andez-Armesto
Manufacturer: Taplinger Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0800826213

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