Madrid A New Biography
Madrid A New Biography by Luke Stegemann, published by Yale University Press on August 13, 2024, offers a detailed exploration of the transformation of Madrid from a modest settlement into a prominent global city. This 480-page work delves into the historical evolution of Madrid, highlighting its significance during the sixteenth century when it became the center of a vast empire. The narrative examines the city’s rich cultural heritage, featuring influential figures such as Cervantes, Quevedo, Velázquez, and Goya, while also addressing its role in pivotal historical events, including the Spanish Civil War.
Readers will find a comprehensive account of Madrid’s development and its impact on Europe and the Americas. Stegemann contextualizes the city’s growth within broader historical trends, illustrating how it has emerged as a vital hub for international finance and cultural tourism. The biography emphasizes Madrid’s dynamic character and its position as a melting pot, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped its identity over the centuries. This edition provides an insightful perspective on the city’s past and present, making it a valuable resource for those interested in history, travel, and the cultural landscape of Spain.
Official synopsis Publisher
The miraculous story of Madrid–how a village became a great world city
For centuries Madrid was an insignificant settlement on the central Iberian plateau. Under its Muslim rulers the town was fortified and enlarged, but even after the Reconquista it remained secondary to nearby Toledo. But Madrid’s fortunes dramatically shifted in the sixteenth century, becoming the centre of a vast global empire.
Luke Stegemann tells the surprising story of Madrid’s flourishing, and its outsize influence across the world. From Cervantes and Quevedo to Velázquez and Goya, Spain’s capital has been home to some of Europe’s most influential artists and thinkers. It formed a vital link between Europe and the Americas and became a cauldron of political dissent–not least during the Spanish Civil War, when the city was on the frontline in the fight against fascism.
Stegemann places Madrid and its people in global context, showing how the city–fast overtaking Barcelona as a centre of international finance and cultural tourism–has become a melting pot at the heart of Europe and the wider Hispanic world.
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