Sadly there are but few scholarly resources available pertaining to this particular period of history. At least, there are so few which do not lean heavily towards Christian apologetics for the Inquisition and other such atrocities. But this volumous work provides, data, documentation, analysis, and readability so often absent in historical scholarship. I found this not only an even-handed view of this period (devoid of the usual religious sympathies), but also excellent in acting as both a resource and as entertainment. Particularly, I found the author's emphasis on social events and effects most interesting. He demonstrated, effectively, how military conflicts can profoundly affect those living both within and on the fringes of affected areas, and specifically how these peoples' lives are transformed by these events. I highly recommend this work for anyone interested in Spanish or Islamic history.