Europe Divided, 1559-1598

This is an excellent survey of the crucial events in European history during the second half of the 16th Century. Phillip II of Spain and the revolt of the Netherlands naturally have pride of place in this volume, but Elliot also gives coverage to events in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the Meditteranean (far too many histories of Europe give excessive emphasis to western Europe at the expense of the eastern and northern parts of the continent). The chapter relating to the waxing of Spanish power is particularly exciting and well written, but then the author is an expert of this period of Spanish history. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in European history.