The Spanish Bourbons are back on the throne now in the person of King Juan Carlos, who seems to be doing a much better job than some of his idiosyncratic ancestors. The first was Philip V, who reluctantly left the magnificent court of his grandfather, Louis XIV of France; he built his new palace far from Madrid so he could effectively avoid involvement in the affairs of state. His grandson, Charles IV, spent six hours every day hunting; the country was administered in his absence by his wife and her lover -- much to his relief. And after Napoleon, the restored monarchy in Spain was *really* incompetent. A thoroughly documented volume that nevertheless avoids overacademization.