Description: A case study of how a diverse, multicultural society became an autocratic state. 1492 was the year that concluded the efforts of Ferdinand and Isabella to drive out all Jews and Muslims from Spain, forcing it to be a unified nation with one religion.
Brief description: Erna Paris is the author of seven acclaimed works of literary non-fiction and the winner of twelve national and international writing awards for her books, feature writing, and radio documentaries. Her works have been published in fourteen countries and translated into eight languages. Long Shadows: Truth, Lies, and History was chosen as one of The Hundred Most Important Books Ever Written in Canada by the Literary Review of Canada. Her most recent work, The Sun Climbs Slow: The International Criminal Court and the Struggle for Justice was first on The Globe and Mail's Best Book of the Year list and shortlisted for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing.
Review Quotes: "... That themes of this magnitude for our time arise from a retelling of events from 15th century Spain is a testimony to the powerful and fluent sweep of [From Tolerance to Tyranny]."