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Geoffrey Parker
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Emperor: A New Life of Charles V Kindle Edition

by Geoffrey Parker (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 317 ratings
This “elegant and engaging” biography dramatically reinterprets the life and reign of the sixteenth-century Holy Roman Emperor: “a masterpiece” (Susannah Lipscomb, Financial Times).

The life of Emperor Charles V (1500–1558), ruler of Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and much of Italy and Central and South America, has long intrigued biographers. But capturing the nature of this elusive man has proven notoriously difficult—especially given his relentless travel, tight control of his own image, and the complexity of governing the world’s first transatlantic empire.

Geoffrey Parker, one of the world’s leading historians of early modern Europe, has examined the surviving written sources in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish, as well as visual and material evidence. In Emperor, he explores the crucial decisions that created and preserved this vast empire, analyzes Charles’s achievements within the context of both personal and structural factors, and scrutinizes the intimate details of the ruler’s life for clues to his character and inclinations. The result is a unique biography that interrogates every dimension of Charles’s reign and views the world through the emperor’s own eyes.
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  1. Print length
    1179 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  4. Publication date
    June 25, 2019
  5. File size
    61.5 MB
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    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Masterly.”—William Anthony Hay, Wall Street Journal

“‘An extraordinary man who achieves extraordinary things’ requires an extraordinary biographer. In Parker, [Charles V] has one. Seldom does one find a work of such profound scholarship delivered in such elegant and engaging prose. Drawing deftly on an astonishing volume of documentary evidence, Parker has produced a masterpiece: an epic, detailed and vivid life of this complex man and his impossibly large empire.”—Susannah Lipscomb, Financial Times

“This biography is as majestic as its subject.”—Daniel Johnson, Sunday Times

“This is a beautifully written and accessible work, presumably pitched for general as well as academic readers.”—Susan Broomhall, Parergon

"No other scholar now has such a deep impact on the writing of the history of 16th-century European history."—Wim Blockmans, Rector Emeritus of the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study
 

“Parker’s biography offers an impressive interweaving of narrative and analysis.”—Carlos M. N. Eire, Journal of Modern History

“Thought-provoking, deeply learned. . . . A well-rounded, deeply researched, and exhaustive portrait of an iconic ruler that captivates the reader’s attention throughout. . . . An instant classic that will become the definitive analysis of one of sixteenth-century Europe’s most famous rulers.”—Christopher W. Close, The Historian

“An exhaustive biography of the remarkable Habsburg ruler coupled with important insights into the birth of the modern state system of Europe.”—Francis P. Sempa, New York Journal of Books

“An extremely impressive biography. . . . A work of intellectual force and power. . . . Fascinating and brilliant—it will be of enormous interest to historians of the period, but also would be of interest to non-specialists.”—Jon Balserak, Reading Religion

“Parker has given us a very impressive look at the greatest of the Hapsburgs, one which will certainly be the standard work on Charles for a long time to come.”—NYMAS Review

“A magnum opus of what Marc Bloch called ‘the historian’s craft,’ both in terms of archival research . . . and, above all, in its narrative power. . . . Parker narrates with refreshing ease and in gripping detail a vast array of events, details and stages of the life of Charles V, from his early years to his legacy, covering the global geographies and local complexities of the Habsburg Empire.”—Stefan Hanss, History: Review of New Books

“A new landmark biography of the sovereign whose power and influence reached five continents and around whom the major events of Europe’s high politics in the first half of the sixteenth century turned.”—Kurt Stadtwald, Lutheran Quarterly

“Parker employs his encyclopedic knowledge, archival know-how, and new primary sources to bring the first half of the sixteenth century alive for us—giving the starring role to a very human, harried, yet extraordinary Charles V.”—Elizabeth A. Terry-Roisin, Bulletin for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies

“Researching the personality and reign of a ‘European’ ruler like Charles V presents serious challenges: the need to engage with a multitude of archives in different countries as well as primary source evidence in a wide variety of languages. Fortunately, Parker is uniquely qualified to undertake such a herculean task.”—Francois Soyer, Court Historian

CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2020

“A remarkable book, a panorama full of astounding and memorable details, and a gripping read. No other living scholar could have organised and analysed the vast and dizzying array of source materials. Parker is both psychologically astute and sets Charles in the huge canvas against which he operated, always presenting the diplomatic, religious, structural and systemic contexts of the decisions he had to make. A monumental achievement.”—Lyndal Roper, author of Martin Luther

“A splendid book. It’s well-written, engaging the reader, even while marshalling to good use a truly impressive erudition. . . . [T]his is the only book I know that stands comparison with Brandi in that respect, and Parker covers a lot more ground.”—James D. Tracy, author of Emperor Charles V

“Emperor leaves me in awe. It is an unprecedentedly thorough imperial, and indeed, global, biography. The book marshals a breath-taking quantity of evidence, while paying meticulous attention to its quality. Brilliant.”—Bethany Aram, author of Juana the Mad, professor of modern history at Pablo de Olavide University, Spain, and principal investigator of the interdisciplinary project An Artery of Empire: Conquest, Commerce, Crisis, Culture and the Panamanian Junction (1513–1671)

“No one has understood the Habsburg emperor better than the master historian Geoffrey Parker. In this meticulously-researched and brilliantly-narrated account, Parker strikes a perfect balance, highlighting Charles’s strengths as a warrior-king together with his personal weaknesses as a family man. A tour-de-force.”—Richard L. Kagan, author of Clio and the Crown

“Geoffrey Parker’s biography of Charles V immediately takes its place as the premier study of the emperor available in English. Its significance, however, like the research that supports it, is global. I cannot remember reading anything that offered so much depth of perspective on both the emperor as a ruler and the age as a whole, the work of Karl Brandi included. It is a masterpiece of historical reconstruction.”—C. Scott Dixon, author of The Church in the Early Modern Age

About the Author

Geoffrey Parker teaches history at The Ohio State University. He has published forty books, including Global Crisis and Imprudent King for Yale University Press.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07R7J7B4R
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press (June 25, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 25, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 61.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 1179 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 317 ratings

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Geoffrey Parker

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4.4 out of 5 stars
317 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise this biography for its meticulous research, with one noting how the author carefully weighs the evidence. The book is richly detailed and provides a definitive account of a complex figure. They appreciate its style, with one review highlighting how it draws from an impressive range of sources.

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9 customers mention "Biography"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the detailed biography of Charles V, with one customer noting the extensive notes on sources and another highlighting the meticulous research and careful weighing of evidence.

"...Engaging and meticulously researched, this biography is a definitive account of a complex figure...." Read more

"...Bibliography is massive and is further buttressed by 90 pages of end notes, in tiny font, as well as extensive notes on the sources...." Read more

"...The author has also been able to include information on the reign of the monarch that is a recent discovery...." Read more

"...A lifetime of scholarly achievement, even-handed, and an objective treatment of the subject. I can't wait to begin his next on Philip II...." Read more

9 customers mention "Narrative content"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's narrative content, finding it richly detailed and engaging, with one customer noting it provides a good description of a complex life.

"Emperor: A New Life of Charles V by Geoffrey Parker is a masterful biography that vividly chronicles the life of one of Europe’s most powerful rulers..." Read more

"...to the side this biography really carries the reader through an enormously complex and critical time in history...." Read more

"...Every page is replete with details on the life and times of the emperor...." Read more

"...Otherwise, it's engaging, and it weaves together nicely many disparate characters from the 15th and 16th centuries...." Read more

3 customers mention "Style"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the style of the book, with one noting its unique approach and another highlighting how it draws from an impressive range of sources.

"...The book is richly detailed, drawing from an impressive range of sources, including the emperor’s personal correspondence...." Read more

"...The reader will gain a unique insight into the style and content of how people communicated in the 16th century...." Read more

"A magnificent, sweeping and utterly fascinating biography of Charles V, ruler of Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands...." Read more

Political and Personal Biography of Charles V.
5 out of 5 stars
Political and Personal Biography of Charles V.
In this excellently researched and richly illustrated study, historian Geoffrey Parker opens up a window into the 16th century and into Charles V's very soul. How does one write a biography of a man who died 461 years ago and left such a vast trail of sources behind him? Geoffrey Parker follows Charles literally from his cradle to his grave, analysing chronicles, household accounts and personal letters. This is not only a political biography of an important historical figure but also a personal picture of a man at the centre of the Renaissance world. Charles V's personal life was probably even more interesting than his political achievements. Parker analyses Charles's relationships with his advisers and family, wondering what it tells us about the man himself. The author aptly describes Charles as "a moral coward" at times (p. 212) because despite his undoubted military courage, the emperor often run away from confrontations with members of his own family. Author of this compellingly readable account offers rich morsels of information about his subject and brings the past to unforgettable life. One of the most noteworthy details to me personally is Geoffrey Parker's investigation into the identity of a girl described as "Infanta Isabel of Castile, daughter of His Majesty the Emperor". Some Spanish historians theorised that this infanta (princess) Isabel was the daughter of Charles V and Germaine de Foix, widow of Ferdinand of Aragon whom Charles took as his mistress. Drawing on new evidence, Parker showed that Charles V really had a daughter named Isabel, and she wasn't the fruit of his relationship with Germaine. Small detail, but it changed my perception. This book is richly illustrated - Parker included not only well-known portraits but also copies of Charles's letters. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in history.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Renaut Martens
    5.0 out of 5 stars AB-SO-LU-TE-LY the best biography on Charles V
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
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    Emperor: A New Life of Charles V by Geoffrey Parker is a masterful biography that vividly chronicles the life of one of Europe’s most powerful rulers, born in Ghent, supposedly 80 meters from my place, in a corner house :p. The author presents a nuanced portrait of Charles V, ruler of a global empire spanning Europe and the Americas. The book is richly detailed, drawing from an impressive range of sources, including the emperor’s personal correspondence. Parker delves into Charles’s challenges, from the Protestant Reformation to his abdication, offering insight into his character and decision-making. Engaging and meticulously researched, this biography is a definitive account of a complex figure. Can't wait to receive the bio on King Philip, his son, but it is out of print atm.
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  • Miffed
    4.0 out of 5 stars Definitive if at times a sprawling biography
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2025
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    Picked this up several years ago based on a summer reading list that Dr Albert Mohler posted. Finally got around to reading it when I decided to dig in to biographies. Bibliography is massive and is further buttressed by 90 pages of end notes, in tiny font, as well as extensive notes on the sources. Every detail is backed up completely. At times the detail seemed exhausting with an almost endless list of names. As another reviewer commented on, the practice of quoting contemporary sources using obsolete spelling only hindered understanding. Those reservations to the side this biography really carries the reader through an enormously complex and critical time in history. Charles led an enormous empire that extended from Europe to the Americas. The author carefully weighs the evidence and neither glorifies nor anathematizes the great emperor. At over 500 pages it is no quick read but worth the effort.
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  • D.Ganteaume
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting tribute to one of the greatest monarchs the world has ever seen.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
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    Finally. Someone wrote the biography of the life of the Emperor Charles V that I have been longing to read. Geoffrey Parker’s book soars! It took the author nine years to write this book and it was well worth the effort. Every page is replete with details on the life and times of the emperor. The author has also been able to include information on the reign of the monarch that is a recent discovery. The book has a unique feature in that quotations from documents are not transcribed into modern prose. The reader will gain a unique insight into the style and content of how people communicated in the 16th century. I enjoyed the analysis of the character of Charles V, as Parker does this without being judgemental, or projecting contemporary “political thought” into the context of the era. Charles V was a very hard working executive and the rigours of his reign are brought to life by the author. Through the pages of this book it is possible to live in the world of Charles V. This book is well worth reading and I know that I am going to read it again.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • M. E. Martinelli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2022
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    I could've done without the occasional references to current events, e.g., "...(Spain's conquests) in America made Charles V great again." Way to conjure up image of the biggest anti-intellectual buffoon in modern history. Otherwise, it's engaging, and it weaves together nicely many disparate characters from the 15th and 16th centuries.
    Seriously, if you're going to read only one biography of Charles V, let it be this one. A lifetime of scholarly achievement, even-handed, and an objective treatment of the subject. I can't wait to begin his next on Philip II. I was fortunate to have had a grad seminar with William Maltby years ago, himself a scholar's scholar, and a biographer of Charles V. Parker's book was the icing on that cake. My profound thanks to both gentlemen.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Arod1571
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Biography of Emperor Charles V - A True Masterpiece!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2021
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    Geoffrey Parker, one of the premier (and most prolific) historians on the Early Modern Period and Hapsburg Spain, has undertaken the Herculean task of writing the definitive biography of Emperor Charles V. The book is quite comprehensive and presents many unique insights regarding the Emperor's personal and political life. The quality of Parker's prose is exceptional and each chapter reads seamlessly. I very much enjoyed reading it. This biography also nicely complements Parker's biography of the Emperor's son, Philip II. A job well done, Geoffrey Parker!

    P.S. I write this review on February 24 - Emperor Charles V's birthday, the day of the Battle of Pavia (one of his greatest victories), and the day of his coronation by Pope Clement VII in Bologna. A momentous day in his life!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Nataša MV
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2020
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    The book contains very little about the personal life of Charles V. It describes mainly his military campaigns. But I was more interested in him as a person not as a warrior.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • P. Graham
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biography -- One Major Blemish
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2019
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    Geoffrey Parker's biography of Charles V is, generally speaking, excellent. Professor Parker's assessment of the man, his reign, and his impact is, broadly speaking, fair, even if one cannot agree with it all. It is well-organized and it is, for the most part, well-written -- with one major exception: The practice of quoting English contemporaries in their contemporary vernacular. Translating from Latin, French, Spanish and other sources who wrote in foreign languages is done in modern English language publications without a second thought, and without any suggestion that the work is somehow less for it. Why authors and editors choose not to apply the same standard to early forms of Engllish, which is almost always a burden to the modern reader, is incomprehensible. And, in the case of this work, it really diminishes the pleasure of reading.
    36 people found this helpful
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  • frank kelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary biography of an extraordinary man
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021
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    A magnificent, sweeping and utterly fascinating biography of Charles V, ruler of Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. The author, Geoffrey Parker, proves himself once again to be a master historian as he delves into every corner of Charles' life - a life that Charles' helped illustrate himself with more than 100,000 signed documents. To read what King Charles thought himself via the many written letters, decrees, notes, etc. is brought to life by Parker's superb writing. If you are interested in this period of time(the 1500's), this is a must-read.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Jo Wijnen
    5.0 out of 5 stars 'EMPEROR': EEN MUST
    Reviewed in Germany on October 19, 2019
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    Geoffrey Parker, die eerder uitstekende boeken schreef over o.a. Philips II, heeft met zijn biografie van Karel V zijn magnum opus gerealiseerd. Parker voert een keizer ten tonele die in een tijd van diepgaande veranderingen - denk aan de Reformatie en de grote ontdekkingen - een wereldrijk waarin de zon nooit onder ging, overeind probeerde te houden. Parker besteedt ook veel aandacht aan de persoon van de keizer, diens mislukkingen en tragiek, maar ook aan diens onmiskenbare successen. Een prachtig boek over een van de markantste persoonlijkheden van de 16e eeuw.,
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  • Thomas McNally
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched yet accessible.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2019
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    I study Early Modern History at a postgraduate level and Parker's book is the perfect equilibrium between a well-researched piece of writing and accessible to the general audience. Despite what Parker mentions in his introduction Charles V is not a mainstream personality nor is there much attention in popular publishing to any of his contemporaries except Henry VIII.

    It is difficult to compile a biography of Charles V; the geographic and linguistic diversity of sources does add a huge task to the author and this should be congratulated. Compared to another biography of Charles V I recently read Parker goes beyond Charles V's activities during the Reformation and his dynastic politics - essentially this is a comprehensive biography with a fairly equal weight given to the duration of his life. Probably the best was his work on Charles V's childhood and early years. Overall a good book!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Luiz Benevides
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entrega pontual
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 26, 2021
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    O Fornecedor cumpriu o prazo e a descrição do exemplar estava correta. Nada a ressalvar.
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  • Enrico Altieri
    4.0 out of 5 stars La cultura di Carlo V
    Reviewed in Italy on January 8, 2021
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    Tutta l'opera è esauriente e interessante
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  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars très bien
    Reviewed in France on July 6, 2019
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    trés bonne
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