Philip II
Third edition

Geoffrey Parker

Philip II's most significant achievement was the creation of Spanish America. He was the most powerful man of his age, ruling a quarter of the world's population, including the Philippines (named after him) and much of Europe. He is also noted for a great failure—his ill-fated attempt to invade England. In this authoritative biography of Philip, Geoffrey Parker has used Philip's personal papers to paint an accurate, intimate portrait of the individual who played such a great part in shaping the modern world. Philip's inability to trust anyone, his inflexibility in refusing to compromise with Protestants or Muslims, his obsessions with religion, magic, and the Arts, his support for the brutal Inquisition, and his family relations are all vividly described.