Dogs of God:
Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors
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Published in 2005, Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors is a riveting account of the pivotal events of 1492, when towering political ambitions, horrific religious excesses, and a drive toward international conquest changed the world forever. James Reston, Jr., brings to life the epic story of Spain’s effort to consolidate its own burgeoning power by throwing off the yoke of the Vatican. By waging war on the remaining Moors in Granada and unleashing the Inquisitor Torquemada on Spain’s Jewish and converso population, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella attained enough power and wealth to fund Columbus’ expedition to America and to chart a Spanish destiny separate from that of Italy. With rich characterizations of the central players, this engrossing narrative captures all the political and religious ferment of this crucial moment on the eve of the discovery of the New World.
Eight foreign editions planned so far: Great Britain (Faber & Faber), February 2006; Spain, Korea, Brazil, Portugal, Russia, Albania, and Arabic |
"...an engaging and highly readable book...The events in Dogs of God may have taken place more than 500 years ago, but there are times when they seem chillingly, worryingly familiar." --Washington Post
"In an energetic style unfettered by scholarly jargon or too many footnotes, Reston brings alive the conflict between the Catholic and the Muslim and how the conflict still resonates today." --USA Today
"Rarely has medieval history seemed so urgent." --Kirkus
"This is a highly entertaining, thoughtful, and complex narrative and analyzes a greatly misunderstood era." ---Publishers Weekly
"...colorful...readable...vivid..." ---Jerusalem Post
"Told with sweep and intelligence, Reston's Dogs of God is a compelling, often provocative account of the ugly terrors of the Spanish Inquisition. More than just a chilling account of this dark chapter of history, its message about the dangers of religious excess has powerful echoes for the world today." --Jay Winik, author of 1865: The Month that Saved America
The book can be found on Amazon.
"In an energetic style unfettered by scholarly jargon or too many footnotes, Reston brings alive the conflict between the Catholic and the Muslim and how the conflict still resonates today." --USA Today
"Rarely has medieval history seemed so urgent." --Kirkus
"This is a highly entertaining, thoughtful, and complex narrative and analyzes a greatly misunderstood era." ---Publishers Weekly
"...colorful...readable...vivid..." ---Jerusalem Post
"Told with sweep and intelligence, Reston's Dogs of God is a compelling, often provocative account of the ugly terrors of the Spanish Inquisition. More than just a chilling account of this dark chapter of history, its message about the dangers of religious excess has powerful echoes for the world today." --Jay Winik, author of 1865: The Month that Saved America
The book can be found on Amazon.