From 1556 until his death in 1598; Philip II of Spain ruled the first global empire in history; yet no one so far has analyzed precisely how he accomplished this feat. The author investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Philip’s strategic vision; the priorities that underlay his policies; the practices and prejudices that influenced his decision-making; and the external factors that affected the achievement of his goals.Geoffrey Parker begins by defining the characteristics of Spain’s strategic culture: the king’s distinctive system of government; the “information overload†that threatened to engulf it; and the various strategic priorities and assumptions used to overcome the disparity between aims and means. He then explores the surviving documentation (from the Habsburgs; their allies; and their adversaries) on the formation of strategy in three crucial case studies: Philip’s unsuccessful efforts to maintain his authority in the Netherlands; his defective peacetime management of foreign relations with Scotland and England; and his failed Armada campaign against England. Finally Parker examines the small but fatal flaws in the execution of Philip’s Grand Strategy; assesses the response of the king and his ministers to their failures; and questions whether the outcome might have been different with other policy options; another ruler; or a different strategic culture. Pointing to modern parallels between Philip’s problems of governance and those facing Hitler and Churchill; or Kennedy and Johnson; this powerfully argued book provides a fascinating commentary on the nature of empires and the decision-making process as practiced by great powers.
#107070 in Books Nathan O Hatch 1991-01-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x .82 x 5.90l; 1.09 #File Name: 0300050607312 pagesThe Democratization of American Christianity
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Early America the enduring structures of American ChristianityBy Jonathan AndersenNathan Hatch leaves little ambiguity as to what his seminal work is about as he opens with the line; "This book is about the cultural and religious history of the early American republic and the enduring structures of American Christianity." Hatch focuses the years between 1780 and 1830; a time he sees as a transitional period during which foundations for the future structures of American Christianity were established. Hatch follows five mass religious movements that developed during this time.As Hatch develops the stories of these mass movements within an American atmosphere saturated with revival and revolution; he argues that "the theme of democratization is central to understanding the development of American Christianity." Readers discover that this shift towards democratization was greatly influenced by the politics of the time and ultimately led people to eschew religious authority in almost all its forms; emphasize the liberty of the individual Christian in matters of faith and conscience.The main points of Hatch's argument are revealed early on and are fleshed out as he engages various organizing themes. While this approach could bore the reader; his focus upon defined groups within one historical period leads the book to move forward with ease. Overall; I felt Hatch was persuasive. However; I believe he could improve his work by connecting the section headings he used to organize the book with greater clarity to each chapter's argument and by including more stories of women during this era given its equalizing impulse.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Truly Remarkable WorkBy Rodney ThomsonHatch's seminal work on the Second Great Awakening and the impact of the establishment of democracy on Christianity in this country is an intriguing look at a critical period in the history of Christianity in America. If you have ever wondered why there are a virtually uncountable number of denominations/expressions of the Christian tradition in America; this book will describe the people and events that got that particular ball rolling. Hatch's presentation of the subject is extensive; yet his writing style makes it accessible even to those without scholarly bent; providing a read that is as gripping as it is educational.Cheers!- Rodney0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting PremiseBy JNHThis book traces the rise of independent churches and church groups/denominations early in the 19th Century. It examines the reasons why those churches came into being and looks at the personalities at the forefront of those churches.I know this might spark a debate that I am not interested in getting into; but I don't agree that one group he examines (the Morman Church) should be considered a Christian Church; but I do think its inclusion makes sense as the influences of the period that he considers gave rise to Mormanism as well as other cults or fringe Christian Churches.
