THE Moors continued in unmolested possession of Spain for the space of eight hundred years, a period much exceeding that in which it was held by the former conquerors of that country, the Carthaginians and Romans. Of the real history of Spain, while it remained under the subjugation of the Moors, it is exceedingly difficult to obtain accurate and authentic knowledge. The writers on the subject are either Arabs or Spaniards, from both of whom the inclination to favour their respective countrymen, may not unreasonably be expected. The Spanish writers abound with all the severity of reproach and invective against the Moors; and the Moorish historians, will be found, on all occasions, to exaggerate the virtues, the conquests, the glory of the Mahometans; to conceal their defects, and palliate their crimes. Mr. Bourke, in this compilation from confused and discordant materials; has presented the reader with a history, which, as it is throughout uniform arid consistent, carries with it the greatest probability of being most consonant with the real truth.
The work consists of four books, of which the First treats of the Conquests of the Arabs in Spain, till the period of the establishment of the Ommiadæan Caliphs at Cordova; comprizing from the end of the Sixth to the middle of the Eighth Century.
The Second Book gives the history of the Eastern Caliphs to the end of the Empire of the Caliphs of the West, and comprizes the Middle of the Eighth as far as the Eleventh Century.
The Third Book, which is the most interesting of the whole, and comprizes a large portion of time, describes the history of Spain from the commencement of the Eleventh to the Middle of the Fourteenth Century.
The Fourth and last Book, which also is very curious, exhibits the Origin of the Kingdom of Granada, and is continued to the final Expulsion of the Moors from Spain.
–The British Critic: A New Review, Volume 40 [1812]