As some of the reviews below suggest (albeit approvingly), this is a one-sided rehash of the modern cliches about this era: the Christians retaking their land are evil and intolerant; the Muslims who violently seized these lands in the first place are noble and benificent. I look forward to reading Mr. Reston's forthcoming book on the bloody Muslim conquests of the Middle East, northern Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, Turkey and the Balkans, and their forcible conversion of millions throughout those lands, which were once predominantly Christian. That should be a ripping good read.

I give it two stars because at least the prose is lively.

This book is not meant to be a super scholarly treatment of the period and events in questions. Instead, the book is meant to be an invitation to the characters, history and events that make up a pivotal period in western history. Reston succeeds in wonderfully telling a story of the pivotal events that were taking place in late 15th century Spain, including: the final defeat of the Moors, Ferdinand and Isabella's expulsion of the Jews, the discovery of the New World, the horrors of the inquisition and the overall consolidation of Spanish power into one united nation. As Reston argues, the ramifications of these events are still reverberating through the ages.

The maps are pretty decent, but not all places named are displayed on them. There are no footnotes (maybe 1 or 2) as this book is not meant to be another production of esoteric historians who examine fact after fact. Overall, this is a great book and a fantastic introduction to the period for those in need of such an introduction.