Great book, very good narration!

History made interesting. I love the way the book is written and hope there is another book to come soon from this fantastic author.

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2 people found this helpful

Fabulous

I think the conclusion was spot on but should have included that Spain's greatness was also down to what the Moors brought to Spain. I wish history A-level in the 1980s when I was studying 15th century Europe was told in this way. I am absolutely hooked now and this explains so much of modern day Europe and beyond. I'm also just finishing Elizabeth Drayson the Moors last Stand equally fabulous but I think I prefer Giles Tremlett as a historian at the end of the day, Isabel was Power hungry and use god as her excuse with which was just a sign of the times and sad in a way that all her efforts didn't quite go the way she had envisaged. We need more dramas more books for teens and documentaries in the English language about this period of time, told exactly like this, balanced and without agendas. BBC should Commission this historian to do a documentary based on this book. I speak fluent Spanish so it's not an issue for me to source other resources about this period of time but there seems to be a lack of resources in this area in the English language and I think young people would really benefit from understanding this period of history especially young people being radicalised in extremist groups because they use in this period of time to justify their behaviour and beliefs.

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2 people found this helpful

An extraordinary life and complicated legacy

Assessing Isabella and her impact on history in the context of modern sensibilities is not easy. This history does not shy away from the difficult - often horrifying - issues. It is fascinating and engrossing. She was truly formidable. Karen Cass's precise diction suits the text well, I thought.

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Enlightening and entertaining

Isabella was such an important queen to Spanish and World history but I knew very little about her. This book puts that right in an entertaining and thought provoking way. I'm really pleased to have spent 20+ hours in her company. Well narrated, and now plan to read more of Giles's books.

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A fascinating but grim tale, very well read.

I knew the history of the reconquista and the forced conversion of non-Christians, the horror of the Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews. But hearing it read aloud made it twice as horrific as usual.

This is a good book though, telling expertly the quite extraordinary tale of the immensely able but ferocious Isabella.

And thank goodness the publishers found a narrator who didn’t mangle the many Spanish names. She sounded as though she speaks Spanish, and if she doesn’t she’d taken the trouble to learn pronunciation. So different from the many non-fiction readers who just charge at everything and pronounce it as though it’s English. I hope she does more non-fiction.

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3 people found this helpful

What a Queen!

A brilliantly read account of one of the greatest Queens of Europe. Quite an incredible journey and full of intrigue, cruelty and laying down the foundations of modern Europe, if not the world. Thoroughly recommended.

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emotional narrator

Hated the young woman narrator who puts too much stress and emotion into nearly every sentence.

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Blood curdling horror

What did you like best about Isabella of Castile? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the historic value of this book. I did not enjoy the seemingly extended section on Christopher Columbus and the author's attempts to make Isabella of Castile a sympathetic character.

Would you recommend Isabella of Castile to your friends? Why or why not?

No. The ethnic cleansing, slavery and the Spanish Inquisition would turn most stomach's

What about Karen Cass’s performance did you like?

Very clearly spoken. She did not hiss her s's or make audible gasps when inhaling. Those sounds can ruin an audible book.

Could you see Isabella of Castile being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

The extreme violence would have to be turned down a great deal and thereby not giving a true portrait of this woman.

Any additional comments?

I didn't read all the blurb for this audio book and wish I had done so now. This book is blood curdling in its horror against tens of thousands of people.

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Super weird narration

I was really looking forward to hearing this book as it's a subject I'm interested in, however the narrator's strange speech rhythm was so distracting I had to keep turning it off. She paused in strange places and puts emphasis on odd words. Annoying. Have my finished it and wished I'd got it on kindle books.

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