A book on the history of Spain

If you are looking for short histories, you might try "Moorish Spain" by Richard Fletcher. As its name suggests, it focuses on the Moorish history of Spain, and might give you some background on your visit to Seville and Andalusia. Also, "The Medieval Spains" by Bernard E. Reilly might be useful, although it is a bit heavier a read. It depends on how interested you are in a detailed Spanish history.

The only thing about these books is that they are not organized in a way that would lend itself to tourist itineraries--in other words, there is no section called "Seville" or "Toledo." You might try looking for the Companion Guides for more of a structured approach. The Companion Guide to the South of Spain might come in handy if you are planning to travel through the south. I believe there is also one for northern Spain.

As for fiction, I have seen others recommend "Driving Over Lemons," although I have not read it myself.

MMM

It's not a historical novel, but "The Seville Communion" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte is a wonderful detective story set in Seville.

An old but still excellent book about the history of Spain is Iberia by James Mitchner. Also, re-read your Hemingway espeically For Whom the Bell Tolls and his collection of short stories, many of which are set in Spain during the 1930s.

Sorry, it is James Michner of course.

Michener's Iberia is great - very readable, and covers it all.

Try Iberia by James A. Michener - a sweeping work about the author's travels in Spain. Although it was published in 1968, many of the observations are still very valid, and it is rich with historical detail and anecdotes. It also gives a nice insight into "old" Spain. There are lengthy chapters on Seville, Toledo and Madrid.

Another classic is Laurie Lee's "As I walked out one Midsummer morning", which traces the author's wanderings through Spain, on foot.

looks like great minds think alike

I read " THE STORY OF SPAIN" by Mark Williams before going and found it very helpful.

Buried Mirror by Carlos Fuentes, which is about the influence of Spain on Latin America, but which does a great job explaining the contributions of different cultures that have histories on the Iberian peninsula (Moors, Jews, Christians).

Barcelona by Robert Hughes, which is a history of this city that includes how its famous landmarks are a reflection of this history.

Another book is Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. It is his gripping personal account of living in Barcelona and volunteering with the socialists army during the Spanish Civil War 1930s. Might make for an interesting discussion in parts of southern Spain where you are going where Franco and his army had more support.