Spain

This history of Spain is very easy to read. It makes no assumptions about the level of knowledge of the reader. The story of Spain is brought to life with clear and entertaining anecdotes such as the one quoted above. By the end of the book (it only takes about four hours to read) the reader has absorbed a thorough outline of Spanish history from 15,000 BC to the present day, enough to enhance any visit to the country.

Normal guidebooks order their historical information according to place, apart from an introductory section. In this book it's the othe way around: tips on where to go arise from the history. For instance, in the chapter on the Spanish Civil War there's information on Ferrol - Franco's birthplace in Galicia, the house in Granada - where Federico Garcia Lorca wrote many of his greatest poems before his assassination, the Tree of Guernika - historic heart of the Basques, and 'Franco's Folly' - the old dictator's mausoleum outside Madrid.

Many small, simple maps are dotted among the pages, so there's no need to flick backwards and forwards through the book in order to get one's bearings. A scattering of amusing cartoons keep the tone light in what is ultimately an affectionate look at a remarkable country.