Skip to content

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763 Hardcover - 2003

by Henry Kamen


From the publisher

How did a barren, thinly populated country, somewhat isolated from the rest of Europe, establish itself as the world's first superpower? Henry Kamen's impressive new book offers a fresh and highly original answer.

Empire is a global survey of the two and a halt centuries (from the late fifteenth to the mid-eighteenth) in which the Spaniards established the most extensive empire the world had ever known, ranging from Naples and the Netherlands to the Philippines. Unlike previous accounts, which have presented the Empire as a direct consequence of Spanish power, this provocative work of history emphasizes the inability of Spain to run an imperial enterprise by itself The role of conquest was deceptive. Spain's rise to power was actually made possible by the collaboration of international business interests, including Italian financiers, German technicians and Dutch traders, in the task of setting up networks of contact ranging across the oceans. At the height of its apparent power, the Spanish Empire was in reality a global enterprise in which non-Spaniards -- Portuguese, Basque, Aztec, Genoese, Chinese, Flemish, West African, Incan and Neapolitan -- played an essential role. It is this vast diversity of resources and people (which included many of its greatest adventurers and soldiers) that made Spain's power so overwhelming.

There is no better account in English of this time. Henry Kamen's book provides a highly relevant analysis of the origins and nature of imperial power, and of global economic activity. Challenging, persuasive and unique in its thesis, Empire explores Spain's complex impact on world history with admirable clarity and intelligence.

First line

In a small ceremony in the year 1492 at the university city of Salamanca, in north central Spain, Queen Isabella of Castile was presented with the first copy, just off the press, of the humanist Antonio de Nebrija's Grammar of the Castilian language.

Details

  • Title Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
  • Author Henry Kamen
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 640
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Harper, New York
  • Date March 4, 2003
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780060194765 / 0060194766
  • Weight 2.29 lbs (1.04 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6.12 x 1.43 in (22.86 x 15.54 x 3.63 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Imperialism - History, Spain - Politics and government - 1479-1516
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2002038748
  • Dewey Decimal Code 946
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Annandale, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$3.59
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Fast shipping and order satisfaction guaranteed. A portion of your purchase benefits Non-Profit Organizations, First Aid and Fire Stations!
Item Price
$3.59
$3.99 shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.00
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003-03-04. Hardcover. Very Good. hardcover with dust jacket, tight, pages clear and bright, shelf and edge wear, corners bumped, packaged in cardboard box for shipment, tracking on U.S. orders
Item Price
$5.00
$4.99 shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.50
$3.50 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003-03-03. hardcover. Very Good. 6x1x9. Ex-Library copy with some moderate shelf wear. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations.Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders.
Item Price
$5.50
$3.50 shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Henry Kamen

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Henry Kamen

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
FREE shipping to USA
Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire : How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.55
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.55
FREE shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Henry Kamen

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.27
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
HarperCollins, 2003-03-01. Hardcover. Good.
Item Price
$8.27
FREE shipping to USA
Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Empire: How Spain Became a World Power, 1492-1763

by Kamen, Henry

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Like New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780060194765
ISBN 10
0060194766
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Foley, Alabama, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$9.71
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Harper, 2003-03-03. hardcover. Like New. 6x1x9. Book appears to be New. May have light shelf wear due to warehouse storage and handling
Item Price
$9.71
FREE shipping to USA