Spain Books

Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo writes a wonderful memoir of her life, starting with her childhood in Turkey, her meeting of Joaquin Rodrigo, and her marriage to Rodrigo. I think that it is safe to say that Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo played a crucial role in her husband's later success as a composer. Those who love Rodrigo's music will grow in admiration for Rodrigo and his spouse. For those interested in the history of Spanish music, I reccommend this book highly.

This book is a chronological document of the lives of the major representatives of Spain's classical musicians. It has been wrote by his wife, a virtuose of the piano as well, whom was the "eyes of the maestro" since he became blind at aged three. What is particularly important of this book for me is that it conducts the reader through their fascinating lives and leaves you thirsty in trying to know more about them and the maetro's musical production. It is a sensitive book, that describes with great modesty all the achievements of the maestro before and after the writting of his masterpiece: El concierto de Aranjuez.

Having stayed in 38 paradors in Spain, I found this book to be most interesting and illustrated with beautiful photographs; I only wish it had included a few more of the paradors. Many of our friends know that we are devoted to the Paradores, and now plan our yearly trips to Spain around them, so I consider this book to be an appropriate Christmas gift.

About 80% beautiful photos and 20% useful information, Historical Paradors : A Journey Through Spanish Hotels shows a side of beautiful Spain that most tourists never see. The photos of these stunning architectural wonders stir the imagination of the Old World and makes me twitch towards planning my next trip to Spain. This book is DEFINITELY coffee-table caliber!!! And if MadridMan of MadridMan.com likes it, it's GOT to be gooooood!

Discussion of the Spanish Inquisition usually invokes emotions of disgust or anger, but also an appreciation of how precious it is to be able to pick up a book or express an opinion without fear of being either tortured or killed by government authorities. Therefore reading a book on the topic can be difficult at times, if one focuses on the brutality of the methods used and the zeal in which they were. This book, by comparison with most others on the Spanish Inquisition, is very short, but it does introduce the reader to the reasons for it and its historical legacy.

The author summarizes the Spanish Inquisition as being "350 years of terror," which is an accurate description considering the horrific acts that were committed in this time period. These acts are delineated in detail in this book, beginning essentially with the papal bull in 1478 that was targeted towards Jewish converts to Christianity. Those Jews found guilty of "reversion" were promptly executed. The three dominant religions, Islam, Christianity, and Islam were of course in existence at this time, and were, according to the author, not tolerant of each other and each was convinced that it held the keys to truth. If there was tolerance to any degree, it was a "de facto" tolerance argues the author, i.e. "suffered rather than desired." It is interesting to note that de facto tolerance is also the predominant form for these religions in the world today.

The social tensions between Jews and Christians in Spain at this time are brought out in detail in the book. On the surface these tensions even seem comical because of their absurdity. As examples of this idiocy, marriages between Jews and Christians were forbidden; Jews could charge interest on a loan to Christians, and vice versa, but never to members of the same faith; and Jews were blamed for economic recessions, and for spreading the plague. Reading of the persecutions against Jews at this time reinforces the opinion that the more economically industrious a person was the greater his danger.

In fact, envy is viewed by the author as a possible cause of the Inquisition, rather than merely from religious zealotry. Fray Luis de Leon of the University of Salamanca, who was denounced to the Inquisition by some of his own (jealous) colleagues, is given as an example of this. Other university professors were subjected to the same treatment, by those who, according to the author, wanted the "university chairs" of these professors. The author quotes Unamuno as stating that it was the "terrible Hispanic envy born of incompetence and pettiness" that was responsible for the Inquisition. Considering the typical attitudes of many in the academic community today, an environment that is typically polluted with envy, this assertion by Unamuno does not at all seem farfetched.

The author does not want to end the book without a discussion of the consequences of the Inquisition on Spanish society. One might think that such a horrific series of events lasting for as long as it did would have devastating effects on any society. The author argues that the Inquisition was responsible for some of Spain's misfortunes, but not all of them. Its economic impact was minimal he says, with the decline of Spain economically being due essentially to the ability of wages to keep up with prices, thus lowering incentives among investors. The author is aware that this argument deserves more scrutiny however.

Science and literature suffered greatly from the Inquisition however, due in large measure to the infamous book burnings and Indexes. All of these are discussed in detail in the book, terrifying as they were. This horrible destruction of knowledge is something that along with the brutality against "heretics" will be etched in the minds of all those with independent minds and who have deep respect for human life. Those individuals who launched and practiced the Inquisition should never be forgiven for their savagery against Jewish people and others who differed from the entrenched dogma of the Catholic church. The Inquisition served no constructive purpose, had no moral validity, and deserves daily condemnation. Only then can we be more confident that such a series of events does not happen again.

Even the Introduction was terrific. I have heard many stories about the Inquisition but I gained so much more knowledge while being very well entertained. A great book

I am enjoying reading and wondering why he writes so simply. I am also reading poems by W.S. Merwin and they seem so different. I suppose it's personality, nationality, purpose that strike me as most explanatory of their styles. It might be interesting that as I read the Spanish poems in Horses in the Air and then looked at the English translation I found myself thinking that I would have chosen other words. I also dusted off selections of the essay Ariel by Rodo, (in Spanish). Thank you.

This is an extraordinary book of beautiful poems by one of the best literary translators working today. Cola Franzen's translations are as beautiful as the poems themselves.

Emilia Pardo Bazán stands as perhaps the Spanish speaking world's greatest woman novelist. Along with Galdos and Clarín she was one of the three most important writers of late 19th century Spain. An intellectual of astounding breadth, she was the leading exponent of the Naturalist literary school in her country, -- as attested by her numerous theoretical wrtitings on the subject -- and was an outspoken feminist. She also wrote the first review of Darwin's _Origin of the Species_ to appear in print in Spain.

_The House of Ulloa_ is the work of fiction for which she is best known, and is also the work which perhaps best illustrates Pardo Bazán's own peculiar and unorthodox conception of Naturalism. A primitive and violent rural countryside provides the setting for the novel. When Julian, a cultured and somewhat effeminate priest arrives at the house of the Marquis of Ulloa, he discovers a brutish place which is physically falling prey to creeping nature. Weeds and plants have encroached on the property and whole sections of the once magnificent manor have fallen into disrepair. Julian attempts to "save" the Marquis by marrying him to a city dwelling cousin. The plan, however, does not sit well with Primitivo, the Marquis' ruthless and violent butler. Primitivo excercises a defacto control over the Marquis' property and finances, and is alarmed by the intrusion of the new inhabitants. His opposition is heightened by the fact that the Marquis has borne an illegitimate child of Primitivo's daughter and the new arrivals threaten his grandson's eventiual claims to inheritance. Thus the stage is set for a powerful and cruel denouement.

A young and inexperienced priest arrives to an old and aristocratic house which is in clear falling in pieces. He strongly feels that the state of the house is the consequence of the moral decay of its owner who is a good for nothing, solely interested in hunting activities and who had a bastard son with the maid of the house.

The priest believes that the sacrament of matrimony, will render the fruits upon Señor de Ulloa soul and sets hmself the goal of finding him a bride suitable for such high designations. The Marquis due to quite distorted reasoning ends up choosing a cousin who is not very attractive and a little weak istead of the one he was really attracted to.

The aims of the priest clash head to head wih the long term plans of Primitivo a sort of family housekeeper with a self appointed position who have been stealing the proceeds of the hacienda's and is waiting for the proper moment to take full control of the Marquis de Ulloa's land properties. At that moment will become due when Spain is shaken by liberal movements and the novelty of the democratic process.

The role of women on this novel shall not go unnoticed, since both the maid and the aristocratic lady of the house are also a reflection of the era which is gaining momentum Spain and it is reflected on the health of both ladies and in which the Spaniars were simultaneously spectators and protagonists as well as in the sexual preferences of the Marquis de Ulloa.

Whether you are an afficionado of fine interior design, an art enthusiat, or someone that needs a bit of exotic beauty in his/her life, this book on fine Andalusian interiors and exteriors is for you. The photography is at once stunning and vivid. If you are looking for some unusual decorating ideas to spice up your own home, look into this book. Anyone who appreciates beautiful photography will enjoy the masterfully executed and colorful plates.

Beautiful interior and exterior pictures. Concise and informative text. Well represented properties throughout Andalusia and not concentrating on one specific location. A great complimentary book to Spanish Palaces and Villas. Hope the authors will follow up with the houses and palaces of Portugal.

I'll Be Home For Christmas is a must have. This book recreates Christmas time all over the world telling the stories of soldiers at the front, in prison camps (both sides), familys at home, and at internment camps. Filled with great pictures, excerpts from diaries, and newspaper clippings it leaves the reader with a feeling of gratefullness for what they went through. Some is funny, but most is thoughtful or just plain sad. Now I wouldn't put this up with say A Christmas Carol, but it is one that you can choose one story that means something in partucular to you. Each story being uniquely different,and is one that everyone can enjoy.

This book is by and about ordinary people in extraordinary times, whose prayers were sometimes answered, and sometimes not. It's also about real people at the one time of the year when everyone is vulnerable, people who mostly made it through the war with quiet faith and courage, despite everything. I remember as a young boy during this time seeing gold stars in peoples' windows at Christmas (a sign that they had lost a loved one) and yet right behind it, a Christmas tree.

I bought "I'll Be Home for Christmas" for my daughter and told her that this book is the real "Chicken Soup for the Soul"--written by people who sometimes didn't have enough ration coupons for the chicken-or for a holiday goose-but celebrated anyway.

It's a great history lesson and a good read.

This book gave an excellent overview of Ignatius' life and insight into the Jesuit order's foundations.

A must read for anyone interested in the Jesuit order - especially those of us that attended Jesuit schools! In his translation, Father Buckley takes us from the beginning to the end of St. Ignatius' life in a manner that is full of information, yet also easy to read and at times difficult to put down.

In studying the history of the Jews of Spain, Historians have performed a glaring dis-service by being ignorant of the two traditions thriving in Spain. In Southern Spain was the Andalusian tradition of Maimonides, representing the traditions of the Geonim and going back to the oral law of Moses. In Northern Spain, was the assimilated tradition of Nachmanidese. Specifically, this book shows very clearly that the Northern tradition of Spain was in fact an adoption of the values of the surronding Christian environment. By attacking Maimonidese, Nachmanidese was in fact attacking the teachings of the Geonim and ultimately, the oral law of Moses.

In a often emotional and always beautifully written expose, Rabbi, Prof. Faur shows that the persecuted have often adopted the values of the persecutors. In this, the tradition of Northern Spain was typical. The real miracle is that Maimonidese and his disciples, in an extraordinary exception to the commpon laws of history, steadfastly rejected the values of their persecutors -- even if this estranged them from their Jewish brethern who did.

Ultimately, only Maimonidese and his tradition have something to say today. This tradition is both modern and ancient: modern in thought and ancient in origin.

Finally, a book that speaks the truth!!!!

I applaud Chacham Faur's insightful and educated view of the Jewish phenomena know as the Spanish forced conversions during the Inquisitional period.
As with all of Chacham Faur's writings the reader is automatically transported into a delightful dialogue with the writers advanced knowledge and eloquent writing skills. With this said, I am very much in agreement with his assessments regarding the converso phenomena.
I also want to point out that I really enjoyed the prologue to the book. It is well stated and motivates one to jump right in and start turning the pages for a delightful journey to Andalusian Jewry, of which the Converso's belong to.
The Converso is a Jewish person who must be acknowledged as fully Jewish no matter what. As our Sephardic Rabbi's have stated they must be welcomed back to the Jewish fold even until this day or in the future, without going through humiliating conversion rituals. That is how it was in Amsterdam and how it should be now. Amsterdam being a great model to follow, showing us how to treat our returning correligionist, with dignity and respect, and allowing our brothers and sisters an opportunity to be fully integrated into mainstream Judaism. In itself this the greatest mitwah we, as Jews, can perpetuate towards all who come back to the fold i.e., to love them back and help in their return in anyway that we can. As history has shown, our Tudesco brethren have always behaved despairingly towards the Sephardim, whether in writing or actions. In many ways they are not the ones we should turn to for help. As Andalusian Jews, we must look to our own, history has proved this to be the only way to fight interreligious rivalries.
That is why I recommend this book to any Andelusian Sephardim, because for one, knowlege is power. And secondly, Chacham Faur is a master at Talmudic tought and Maimodean philosophy. It is a must read for all Sephardim or Tudescos who wish to gain a better understanding of the complexities of being Jewish in austere circumstances.

I discovered Albeniz through the 2006 movie Iberia which features the music of Albeniz. I decided to try playing it on the piano. It has captured me in a way I could never have expected. I am not a young person and thought I knew the repertoire, but there is no finer music for the piano than the Iberia suite. I strongly encourage every good pianist to discover this music! Learning about the man has been as much of a joy as integrating his music into my being, for that is what has happened. He's quite a character. This book is admirable and like the other reviewer I too would like more on the music itself. However, I think the other reviewer is much to limited in whom he recommends Albeniz too. Albeniiz' piano music belongs to all the ages -- it is as good as anything ever composed, and better than most. If Albeniz were not a "Spanish" composer, he would be much better heard, and his music would be much easier to find. So do not think you have to be interested in "Nationalist Spanish Music" to be interested in Albeniz. His music is as universal as Chopin's or Beethoven's. Albeniz needs to be liberated from pigeonholing because he belongs in the universal pantheon.

Aaron Clark is admirably unwilling to speculate as so many much earlier biographies of Albeniz have been about the more hazy periods in his life. He is particularly good on understanding the hyperbole and publicity-friendly porkies Albeniz was given to in the context of his character. Where he is at his best is in the analysis and history of the music/forms it uses. I wish he would write a work which concentrates on analysis of the music itself as well - I'd buy that too. It is also a very entertaining read, and has many very sensible conclusions especially about Albeniz's earlier life, which is surrounded by myth! This is an essential book for anyone interested in Spanish Nationalist Romantic Music. Does this man have an email address? Ben Coulthard