Frontiers of Possession: Spain and Portugal in Europe and the Americas

The Frontiers of Possession is a groundbreaking book that challenges the traditional narrative of national boundaries being determined by military conflicts and treaties.

Herzog masterfully reconstructs how territorial borders were established in both Europe and the Americas during the early modern period, highlighting the complex interactions between farmers, nobles, clergymen, missionaries, settlers, and indigenous peoples. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of how land rights were negotiated and enforced, often violently, in both hemispheres.

Herzog portrays Spain and Portugal as a unified imperial space, demonstrating that the same fundamental questions regarding territorial control had to be addressed in Europe and the Americas. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex history of territorial formation and its ongoing impact on modern-day borders.

With its lucid writing style and engaging narrative, The Frontiers of Possession is sure to captivate readers and provide new insights into this critical topic.