Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors
2 journalers for this copy...
Dogs of God: Columbus the Inquisition and the Defeat of the Moors
Author: James Reston
Set against the fury and strife that arose from the cinders of medieval Europe, THE DOGS OF GOD chronicles one of the most savage epochs in human history.In an effort to consolidate their powers on the Iberian Peninsula and free themselves from the yoke of the Vatican, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella turned to the priest Tomás de Torquemada, a member of the Dominican order. (An order established to eliminate heresy, the Dominicans were known throughout Europe as “the dogs of God.”) Torquemada argued that an Inquisition would strengthen the sovereigns’ authority throughout Spain, particularly in the coming campaign against the Moors of Granada. When Granada fell, tens of thousands of Muslims were given the choice of converting to Christianity or facing death or banishment. Torquemada then turned his ferocity on Spain’s Jews, forcing them to choose between conversion or banishment. And in the end, between 800,000 and two million Jews left their homeland.
The Spanish Inquisition remains a chilling symbol of the worst excesses of religious intolerance, including torture and repression. Vatican archives record that 10,000 people were burned at the stake and an additional 100,000 were “cleansed” from the population. The repercussions resonate to the present day. History suggests that mass anti-Semitism has its roots in the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and some radical Muslims have argued that the treatment of the Moors in the fifteenth century persists as a source of the animosity many Muslims harbor against the West today.
Reston’s compelling narrative is the first popular history of the Spanish Inquisition, and he brings all of its horrors terrifyingly to life. But Reston looks beyond the dark deeds of 1492 as well, capturing the excitement of exploration and promise of the future that was born in the same year. With an iron grip on the political and religious affairs of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella turned their eyes toward the New World and the creation of a modern empire. . . and toward a young captain named Christopher Columbus.
I read this one several years ago. Fascinating non-fiction account of the Spanish Inquisition, Queen Isabella, and Columbus.
Author: James Reston
Set against the fury and strife that arose from the cinders of medieval Europe, THE DOGS OF GOD chronicles one of the most savage epochs in human history.In an effort to consolidate their powers on the Iberian Peninsula and free themselves from the yoke of the Vatican, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella turned to the priest Tomás de Torquemada, a member of the Dominican order. (An order established to eliminate heresy, the Dominicans were known throughout Europe as “the dogs of God.”) Torquemada argued that an Inquisition would strengthen the sovereigns’ authority throughout Spain, particularly in the coming campaign against the Moors of Granada. When Granada fell, tens of thousands of Muslims were given the choice of converting to Christianity or facing death or banishment. Torquemada then turned his ferocity on Spain’s Jews, forcing them to choose between conversion or banishment. And in the end, between 800,000 and two million Jews left their homeland.
The Spanish Inquisition remains a chilling symbol of the worst excesses of religious intolerance, including torture and repression. Vatican archives record that 10,000 people were burned at the stake and an additional 100,000 were “cleansed” from the population. The repercussions resonate to the present day. History suggests that mass anti-Semitism has its roots in the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and some radical Muslims have argued that the treatment of the Moors in the fifteenth century persists as a source of the animosity many Muslims harbor against the West today.
Reston’s compelling narrative is the first popular history of the Spanish Inquisition, and he brings all of its horrors terrifyingly to life. But Reston looks beyond the dark deeds of 1492 as well, capturing the excitement of exploration and promise of the future that was born in the same year. With an iron grip on the political and religious affairs of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella turned their eyes toward the New World and the creation of a modern empire. . . and toward a young captain named Christopher Columbus.
I read this one several years ago. Fascinating non-fiction account of the Spanish Inquisition, Queen Isabella, and Columbus.
Journal Entry 2 by 
perryfran
at Virtual BookBox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, April 19, 2015
perryfran at Virtual BookBox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, April 19, 2015
Released 9 yrs ago (4/19/2015 UTC) at Virtual BookBox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to quickheels in Florida...a selection from the Nonfiction VBB. Enjoy!
Arrived safely. Just back from an unavoidable trip and I look forward to reading this one.
