This detailed study examines the long history of the Jews in Spain; focusing in particular on their fortunes during the dangerous years between the 13th and 15th centuries. Sections examine the early phases of conversion; the Converso service of the church and state and Converso authors and chroniclers. Finally; Roth considers the Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews. Useful information about literature; the 15th-century Jewish and Converso population and major Converso families is presented in appendices.
#308803 in Books 2016-09-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.60 x .90 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 0295999365304 pages
Review
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. A Consummate; Well-Written BiographyBy River H.As a lifelong fan of Betty's MacDonald's memoirs ("The Egg and I" and its three sequels); I have long wished someone would publish a full biography of her life. There are so many hints in the books that make you want to know more about her; her family; and the places she lived in Washington State. When I heard that this biography was in the making; I awaited it eagerly -- and it did not disappoint me! What a wonderful book. Becker is a lively; eloquent writer (the book is worth the purchase if only for Becker's delightful Prologue about how she came to write it) -- and she's an excellent historian; which makes the book a wonderful combination of pithy; meticulously researched facts and very readable narrative. I read it over the course of three nights; and I am about to start re-reading it.I especially appreciated the sensitive way Becker balanced telling the truth without compromising the privacy or dignity of surviving members of Betty MacDonald's family -- or of Betty herself; whose real life was of course far more complex and sometimes dark than her humorous memoirs reveal. Becker's research was prodigious: she uncovered extensive archival materials from a plethora of sources -- including letters and papers from MacDonald's friends and family that had never been made public until now. And she traveled to every place Betty lived from her birth onward; she visited Betty's former homes; the buildings where her father worked; her schools; the streets and paths she and her family would have followed.What a vivid portrait Becker paints for us: of MacDonald's fascinating life; and also of the times and places in which she lived; especially Seattle in the 1920s through the years of World War II. I highly recommend it!12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. The results of "looking for Betty"...By Jill MeyerThe author Betty MacDonald is best known for her first memoir; "The Egg and I"; but she also published three succeeding memoirs and 5 books for children. Four are the "Mrs Piggle-Wiggle" series and the last is a stand-alone childs' book; "Nancy and Plum". MacDonald died almost 60 years ago at the age of 50; but her well-loved books are still in print. Kindle versions of "The Egg and I"; "The Plague and I"; "Anybody Can Do Anything"; and "Onions in the Stew" will be issued Nov 1; 2016.But "who" was Betty MacDonald? Careful readers of her non-fiction can pick up clues about her family - the Bards - and her daughters - Anne and Joan - and her second husband - Donald C MacDonald; but was the happy-go-lucky woman portrayed in her books the real Betty MacDonald? Paula Becker was entranced with Betty and set out to "look" for her. She visited a house in Seattle that Betty and her family lived in during the Depression-years; when Betty - a divorcee with two small daughters - was joining with her family to keep their collective heads above water. From there; Becker decided to write a biography of Betty MacDonald; and has done a pretty good job of it. She has been fortunate to have had access to private correspondence from Betty; both to family and friends and to her editor; Bernice Baumgarten. Becker writes the story of Betty's life from Butte; Boulder; Mexico City; and; lastly; to Carmel; where Betty and Don retired to after the success of the books. But mostly; Becker traces MacDonald's life in the state she made famous - Washington.Paula Becker's book; "Looking for Betty MacDonald: The Egg; the Plague; Mrs Piggle-Wiggle; and I"; is an interesting view of all the places MacDonald called home; from the egg farm on the Washington Peninsula; various places in Seattle; Vashon Island; and Firland; a TB sanitarium; where Betty recovered from TB. Becker talks about the Bard family and its quixotic way of dealing with life; as well as Bob Heskett and Don MacDonald; Betty's two husbands. Not left out are the various law suits derived from the characters in "The Egg and I" and Betty and Don's somewhat lackadaisical approach to handling money. All in all; Becker's biography of Betty MacDonald is well-done and also has a good selection of pictures of Betty and her family.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. for a wonderful book; I feel as though you wrote it ...By Kira NoriseI have read and re-read Betty MacDonald's books so many times. The short bio at the end of each book left so many questions; and this book answered all of them. Such a big personality; overcoming so many hardships; and such a unfair ending to her life. Thank you; Ms. Becker; for a wonderful book; I feel as though you wrote it for me.
