The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 10 : Spain and Portugal

This volume surveys the early peoples and cultures that shaped the Iberian Peninsula, beginning with the Celtic tribes, Phoenician traders, and Greek colonies that first dotted the coasts. It follows the sweeping Roman conquest and the administrative structures they imposed, highlighting how Christianity took root amid the empire's decline. The narrative then turns to the turbulent era of Visigothic rule, detailing the internal rivalries and religious shifts that set the stage for later changes.

The second half examines the dramatic Muslim arrival in 711 AD and the ensuing centuries of Al‑Andalus, focusing on the emergence of the Christian kingdoms of Asturias and León as they resisted and negotiated with the new power. Readers encounter legendary figures such as Pelayo and Alfonso the Catholic, whose campaigns forged a distinct medieval identity. Throughout, the author weaves together chronicles, archaeological findings, and scholarly interpretation to give a vivid picture of a land in constant flux.