Hi Reddit, I am a student looking for a good reading list concerning the growth and decline of the Spanish Empire from 1469 onwards, with the intention of studying to what extent did Spain become a 'great power' as a result of exploration.
After a little bit of research myself I have found the following three books:
Elliott seems to be a very reputable historian for the period and Kamen's work has gotten some praise but I'd like to find at least one more historian so I can compare the views of three different historians, at a minimum.
Please note that I will be using this reading list to assist me with an assessment, so that I can compare the views of historians, as a result, I'd greatly appreciate it if any responses could only inform me of any books and historians that are worth reading.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Paul Kennedy. The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers.
Kennedy's book is an account of European history from ca. 1500 to 20 c. It is distinctive for: i) considering economic history throughout, and Spain's economy is of great importance both for New World exploration (consequences of New World gold and silver for domestic Spanish money supply) and domestic (he discusses taxation and types of economic activity) ; ii) examining the broader dynamic of European countries, thus putting Spain in broader context of the shifting alliances as European nations sought to prevent a single nation becoming dominant on the continent.