The Other 1492: Ferdinand, Isabella, and the Making of an Empire

De: Teofilo F. Ruiz, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Teofilo F. Ruiz

Ask anyone about the significance of the year 1492, and you're almost certain to hear something about Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the New World. But there is also a perspective on 1492 far different than the one most of us know - one that is more complete and complex. A 1492 when there was no country called Spain and no language called Spanish. A 1492 whose biggest event - in the region that would eventually become Spain - was the surrender of the last Muslim stronghold, Granada, with the subsequent Edict of Expulsion that gave Jews three months to either convert to Christianity or leave the Kingdom of Castile and the Crown of Aragon.

This 12-lecture series uses the year 1492 to examine the events that made Spain a country and an empire. It examines the centuries of developments that led up to that pivotal year in Spanish history and the consequences that followed for both Spain and the New World, presenting Spanish history from the perspective of both the victors and the defeated: the Muslims, Jews, and New World natives for whom 1492 was not a time of wonder but of terror and despair.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2002 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2002 The Great Courses

Comprehensive, balanced, brilliant

This was the first lecture series I listened to and it captivated me. Professor Ruíz is brilliant in his execution, the depth and breadth of his knowledge is amazing and his recounting of this little known side of 1492 is comprehensive, nuanced and balanced. Very enjoyable!

The best.

Excellent narrator and teacher. The perspectives presented here are superb and factual. I cannot emphasize enough how smooth and coherent this is!

Remarkably Interesting Iberian History

Excellent most entertaining historian with a gift at getting to the heart of the matter clearly and succinctly as no other.
I acquired a great deal of knowledge in a short period of time. It has brought me a new light impartially dispelling many untruths and erroneous interpretations which seem to be the norm when dealing with Iberian history. Sr.Teofilo Ruiz is truly an outstanding professor.

Good but with some issues

My initial reaction wasn't very good. The early chapters sounded like a Marxist approach to interpretation of history, from the point of view of a class struggle, which I don't find interesting. It also had one important factual inaccuracy, saying that Catalonia was one of the three kingdoms united under the King of Aragón (y Valencia). Catalonia was never a kingdom, but a loose alliance of nobles, led by the Count of Barcelona. This is not a trivial point, considering the current political separatist movements in the region, and their attempts to rewrite history.

I was tempted to stop listening but I am glad I didn't. the course took a turn for the better, with interesting observations about the Jewish and Muslim people in Spain, presenting various points of view for us listeners to explore and get to our own conclusions, without being pushy. Also the lectures about the arts were a good presentation.

Really informative

Professor Ruiz is a true expert and his lectures are very clear. He does have a Spanish accent, but you get used to it after a while and, of course, it's to be expected since this is about Spanish history. I wish it were not so short and that he had time to discuss in greater depth some important events that only get touched upon here, such as the Inquisition. But it's a great introduction and provides a good background for further research.

Excellent

Great intro/orientation, in depth progression but easy to follow. Many facts of interest not commonly known. Highly Recommended, enjoyable lecture.

Don't miss this course!

An honor from beginning to end. Professor Ruiz was fascinating. Everything you you have already learned in school he will enlighten you ! this a course you enjoy taking over and over again.
Frances v Payne

Slightly misleading name, great anyway

Definitely worth it, should one wish to know more about the intricacies of that allowed Columbus to sail.

An extraordinary history about the truth of 1492

Great attention to separating the myth of the discovery with the reality. The not so glamorous creation of a world wide empire by chance, fate and a lot of luck. And it all started with the Reconquest of a peninsula facing the Atlantic Ocean. One of my favorite audible books in my history books collection because so much detail, and trivia facts, that makes the discovery of America parallel to the first moon landing. Professor Ruiz is so engaging in his love for separating the fictional accounts from reality that you don't want him to stop. What was made popular in movies and schools is shown against the not so glamorous truth, most times without Hollywood-LIKE happy endings. I hope he continues this into a series!

Facinating details of a rich history of the past

The narrator was wonderful in how he presents this wonderful rich history
great detail and wonderful experiances presented.