Spain Books

As an artist and print maker I can admire Goya's mastery of the media.This book allows people who may not be familiar with Goya's etchings a sense of how powerful and timely these prints are even after 200 years. I was fortunate to see the complete series of these etchings last summer at Syracuse University.I'm sure Goya would see the brutality of war that America is currently engaged in.

The Disasters of war is a difficult book to read, containing the most impressing pictures of war and its consequences. The black/white drawings are as real as life itself, and sometimes even more!

Goya depicts tortures made on public squares, people starving to death, and warriors fighting. But the most amazing is the vividness and actuality of the pictures. The Disasters of war is like a poetry book, it has no time, and no defined significance; it can be interpreted in infinite different ways and it is always an up-to-date work.

In my view, one of the best ways to fight war is using art. War leads on to war, art leads on to art. Understanding what and how war happens is essential in order to fight it (I excluded Why since I believe there is no explanation for it). This book shows the What perfectly. I have written a review of the book 'Why?' by Nikolai Popov which is about the How.

Like most dover press books, we have here a wonderful bargain: clear reproductions and good paper stock. Goya was a court painter trying to please his patrons, but in this series of etchings, he indulged his twisted soul in the first recorded anti war propaganda. These etchings are both lovely in their technique and horrifying in their imagery.

When I look at these prints, I am reminded of: the "contractors" whose dismembered bodies were hung from the bridge in Fallujah; the lynching postcards that were commonly mailed around the USA only a few generations ago to celebrate the murder of black men; Auschwitz; All Quiet on the Western Front; Sherman's March; the Trojan War; you get the idea. Unfortunately these powerful images are and shall remain contemporary. There is some topical political comment here, but you're mostly looking at the human condition, and with a few changes of costume and props, these prints are applicable to almost any conflict, anywhere. Good for the kids' room.

Consistently all things published by Dover are of the highest and most comprehensive quality technically and academically, and yet at a very low and democratic price, as if they actually wish to place high culture into the hands of the common man and the poorest person, rather than charging top dollar for instantly disposable art and airport lounge short-lived literature. Dover rather presents for our constant use high quality and durable books: Our Daily Book.

And thus this book which we need to see and weep every night as we grow dull with constant war and violence. We see here why war must wage nevermore, in this brave new era of total and indiscriminate and disproportionate yet profitable colonialist warfare.

When allowed by our media we may now see the same or similar images to these which Goya so accurately depicts, both realistically and fantastically. Goya, so well known as a painter of the Spanish courts, but also of Saturn consuming his children, here shows us grotesquely and coldly the true meaning of war, the true fruits of warfare, the moral and the spiritual causes and effects of war: the disasters of war.

As I pride myself as bilingual and am certified superlatively fluent in Spanish with some English besides, as well as a few other tongues, I found occasion here to wince at Dover's translations of Goya's carefully scripted captions, or to shout aloud more probable interpretations, yet I find this the only possible objection to this excellent and gratefully received volume, which must be on the table of every American home, lacking as we are the graphics from Fallujah or Gaza. Read this book and pray for peace. Read this book and study war no more. Read this book with Mark Twain's War Prayer, and turn aside from the ever more rugged war path surging with the blood of innocents.

Even more than Barefoot Gen, more than the immortal Guernica, more even than Speigelman's Maus series, this realistic, classical and careful draftsmanship of the great Goya brings home to us across the centuries the true horrors and disasters of war, with poignant captions. Please read this book in this excellent, scholarly and complete presentation by Dover Editions, now at an even lower price here upon the amazon. Here must we see that the victims of our violence are human beings, our brothers and sisters, children and elders, and not some dehumanized uncounted collateral statistic alienated into separate labels of faith or of nation. We strike our own family in these disasters of war. This is a powerful book which must be seen today, and most gratefully Dover offers it still upon this amazon.

Discovery and Conuest of Mexico by Bernal Diaz Del Castilo is a tremendous first hand account of one of histories most amazing achievements. Although the ethnocentricity of the Spainard is patently obvious in most of his descriptions, the story of 500 soldiers of fortune conquering an empire of millions in a newly discovered land is easily able to grab the reader's interest. Written in the late 1500's the language is archaic and romanticized,but this serves to make it a book that can appeal to the ordinary reader as well as be a historical source to the academic. It's not for everyone, but anyone with an interest in history and a love of tales of adventure will enjoy it.

This has to be one of the most interesting journals I've ever read. Like others have said, the detail and adventure in Diaz's life make the text seem almost like fiction. I'm only 1/3 of the way into the book and every time I pick it up it's like I'm jumping back in time. Simply amazing.

I thought Hugh Thomas's CONQUEST, with its hundreds of sources, included everything there was to know (and his wry British wit makes the tragedy of Montezuma's cowardice read like a novel), but Diaz adds a whole new perspective. Thomas, for example, writes that a Castilian castaway who decided to stay with the Maya, Gonzalo Guerrero, was "ashamed" of his tattoos and pierced body parts. We find out from Diaz's account that this is a gross misinterpretation. Upon hearing of his rescue, Guerrero in fact tells his fellow rescuee, the famous Geronimo de Aguilar, "Are you nuts? I have a wife and three kids! Look at these beautiful children!" Aguilar suggests bringing his family along, but Guerrero's happy with his new life [and has a heroic-sized statue in Yucatan for his leadership against the Spanish - wife and children by his side]. How does the conversation end? Guerrero's Mayan wife does the logical thing and tells Aguilar in no uncertain terms to get the [expletive deleted] out of her house.

Diaz's description of how another Spanish castaway, a dog, bounds joyfully into a Spanish boat "leaps off the page," as it were. Historian Thomas gives us a much broader picture, but leaves out details that would only interest a foot soldier (how one gets a pretty girl for the night at Montezuma's palace, for example). The paperback was translated by someone who isn't an historian, which makes the guileless writing of old Diaz all the more immediate. A must-read for those fascinated by the century between the voyages of the Santa Maria and the Mayflower -- the century when everything interesting happened.

This first hand account of Cortez's conquest of Mexico was written by Bernal Diaz', one of Cortez swordsmen. It is perhaps the most interesting and detailed first hand account of a historical event ever written. Diaz' writes about the battles, Cortez' manipulation of the various Indian tribes and his own men, and he provides intimate details on the personality of Montezuma. It is an exciting, powerful, informative, cover to cover, real-life, adventure.

Another good read on this subject are Cortez's letters to the King. As can be seen, Cortez' was in hot water because he co-opted the expedition to serve his own ends, and he was trying to con (And intimidate) the King into favoring him, rather than the governer of Cuba, from whom he stole the expedition. Cortez' tried to convince the king that he could get millions of indians to follow him, and that they could make brass cannons, gun powder, etc. ( Which by implication, could be used against any forces to bring him to justice.) He also bribed the king by sending him some of the gold that he stole from the indians, and implying the he could send much, much more. As can be seen, one of Cortez' other swordsmen went on to conquer the Incas, by using the same methods that Cortez used against the Aztecs.

A very graphic, realistic and shuddering account of the discovery and conquest of Mexico by one who witnessed this major historical event from 1517 to 1521.

Although a lengthy narrative, the reader will find themself vehemently ripping through the pages of Bernal Diaz' reminiscences while anticipating the next turn of events. With a plethora of plot twists, there is never a sluggish moment.

Prior to his experiences with Cortes on the conquest of Mexico, Diaz gives us an account of his two previous expeditions with Cordova and Grijalva to the east coast of Central America from 1517-1518. Battles were fought, different cultures were found, and gold was discovered among the indigenous people. This beaconed the governor of Cuba to send Cortes to these lands for `settlement', with the fundamental motivation for the quest of riches.

We read of how Cortes and his men fought many battles on the trail to Montezuma's city of gold. Cortes was indeed a smooth talker, always attempting peace efforts first by making promises and talking flattery while distributing gifts to the Indian tribes he met along the way, all the time with the underlying theme of Christianity. This lead to a growing number of Indian allies, who for the most part had developed a deep-seated hatred for Montezuma due to his unmerciful plundering of villages for human sacrifices to please their gods. Cortez, after nearly losing main battles to overtake Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), finally comes in with 150,000 Indian allies to conquer the city of gold.
For the armchair adventure seeker, this book has it all.

The life and work of Federico Garcia Lorca tower over me - his delicate balance of exhaltation and alienation, of romanticism and cynicism, of life and death. Through the eyes of his poems, the gray skys and cold winds all around me blaze with a new vision. If I can ever do a tenth of what Lorca has done, as a writer, as a thinker, as a person trying to enjoy life, than I shall be more than satisfied.

There is a pocket in my old Swiss Backpack that perfectly fits only one book for when I am away from home. This is the book that goes in it: You could take a whole case of Lorca's works but you would always be missing something. Instead, most of my favorate poems are in here, bilingual so there is no need for anyone to complain about the translator.

The best way to experience any poet's work is through the ark of their life, over the vast ups and downs that go with any carrer. In this book, you can begin to feel that in Lorca's transitions and transformations of the mundane world into the extraordinary.

Brilliant, emotions of positive and negative are tasted in this work

Whether you have children or not Buy this book. If you have children read them the landscape poetry in here. They will sing them in their sleep. It will take them on magical journeys to happy places and you also.

This volume has much to recommend it: the selections are just what you'd hope for [a nice cross-sampling of Lorca's forms, styles, voices, and developmental periods]; the introductory essay by editor Christopher Maurer is excellent, concise, and illuminating; and the translations are mostly brilliant. This is almost 5-star material.

I downgraded to 4 stars becasue several translations are too prosaic and literal for this most lyrical and oblique of poets. For example, Greg Simon and Steven White's translation of Danza de la muerte reads almost as flatly as a word-for-word transcription. The tripping rhythms and apocalyptic language of the original poem feel a bit bloodless in translation. Several of Cola Franzen's translations I think adhere too faithfully to the original structure, which doesn't work with English iambs, at least not without sacrificing music.

Of course, one cannot simply criticize a translation. At issue is an insoluble debate between faithfulness to the original in structure, diction, and sense, versus faithfulness to the original in sound, rhythm, and other musical aspects. The two faithfulnesses may be at conflict.

Anyway, this is an excellent selection, flawless except for those disappointingly flat-footed renderings. Can I propose a side-by-side-by-side format? Instead of Spanish next to a single English translation, how about Spanish next to a word-by-word, highly faithful translation, next to a more musical rendering? Sort of like this: Lorca-Simon/White-Ezra Pound? [As in his "translations" of Chinese poems?] Like I said: insoluble.

I just started browsing through a book of his poems in spanish one day and loved them, but my spanish is marginal. This has the spanish poems side by side with english translations, many of which I don't really like because they do things like switch words and lines and take a little too much freedom and change the spirit of the poem, but that's okay. You can read the spanish, read the english, and see exactly what has been changed, but the beauty is in the spanish ones, and though his vocabulary is large, yours doesn't really have to be to appreciate the sound and sight of these poems in spanish. I love many of the sonnets, plus the king of harlem, which reminds me of HCE from Finnegans Wake, this character that becomes the landscape itself, "after walking", and many others from the poet in new york. I've just been getting into some spanish poets after reading some st john of the cross and seeing what types of flows and life can be infused into words in this language, and these dark, bloody grimy oozes of language have had me high for weeks.

To read a book numbering 945 pages of fine print is a luxury these days. It took me such a long time to read the Fourth Edition of Paul Horgan's wonderful, Pulitzer-Prize-winning "Great River: The Rio Grande In North American History" that sometimes I felt as if I were experiencing 10,000 years worth of history in real time. At the tail end of the epic, when President Wilson hesitates to send troops across the river to pursue bandits, citing his personal shame regarding the United States' "invasion" of Mexico during the Nineteenth Century, I felt able to "remember how it actually happened" - how U.S. fear concerning France's courtship of then independent Texas coupled with its distaste for Mexico's ethical transgressions (e.g., mistreatment of Texan prisoners of war) made U.S. annexation of Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico seem almost righteous.

The Preface to the Fourth Edition is dated 1984. But the book, initially authored in the Forties, reflects the philosophies of its times. Written well before the feminist era, the book, whether dealing with Pueblo peoples, Spanish Conquistadors, Mexican revolutionaries, or American generals, mostly follows the pursuits of men and ignores women. In Pueblo times, one glimpses Pueblo women washing garments in the river. Centuries later, several pages focus on Maud Wright, an American frontierswomen who must have been ferociously brave to have endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of bandits yet survived to provide U.S. troops with knowledge that was "valuable to know." And yet, passive adjectives describe her - "helpless" or "thankful to be busy" - before the narrative again turns its attention to colorful male warriors, raiders, politicians, navigators, or thieves.

Similarly, the book displays a Forties-style awe of "machine technics." Technology, it explains, had a positive effect on river cultures, liquidating "all indigenous aspects of the river's three [Indian, Spanish, Mexican] societies." Half-a-century later, it seems a day doesn't pass when "you Rio" isn't in the news, whether sporting a new, angry-looking border fence (to hold back hordes, who wish to ford the river and flee a still troubled Mexico) or failing to reach the Gulf thanks to global warming. Alas, technology, as Henry Adams feared, is proving to be the river's enemy.

One can't reverse the course of a river, but one can reverse the course of policies made in the heat of whatever political moment. This book should be required reading on both sides of the border.

The level of detail amassed by Horgan for this book is nothing short of incredible. Roughly half the book is dedicated to historical events; the other half covers culture, the role of religion, native living conditions, and a hundred other nuances of day-to-day living by peoples (both native and the later Spanish/American cultures) along the Rio Grande.

Readers who want a VERY in-depth history of the Rio Grande can't do any better than this book. However, readers looking for a more general overview of events might want to consider other sources.

I probably fell into the latter category; I found myself skipping 2-5 pages at a time because I just wasn't that interested in knowing every single detail of (for example) how the Indians dressed and meticulously prepared bits of food for a ceremony to welcome the growing season. Or details covering 5 pages of how Spanish missionaries held a typical mass in the settlements in 1650.

That said, I recognize that this book is about as complete a works as could be published. I'd much rather skip over detail than have an account which isn't thorough.

This book is the best ever written on the history of the southwest along the Rio Grande. Horgan manages to capture the shared history of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico as no other historian/writer has ever done. This one will be around as long as readers want to understand history in the borderlands.

This two-volume series was my inroduction to Paul Horgan who became one of my favorite authors. It is interesting to note he and Frank Waters ('the Man who Killed the Deer') died recently just two weeks apart. They were both 92, and among the greatest authors who dealt with the Rio Grande. Mr. Hogan's dedication to detail set him apart from Willa Cather whose fame rests upon her book 'Death comes to the Archbishop,' using Lamy as her subject. She rejected the aproach of Paul Horgan who at the time was writing his own history, 'Lamy of Santa Fe.' Willa Cather was a novelist; Paul Horgan an historian, and of the two I prefer the truth. Anyone interested in the history of the Rio Grande will be delighted with Paul Horgan's two-volume introduction to it.

One of the major materpieces of American historical writing. The two volumes are a continuing delight, far better than any historical novel. Scene succeds scene, filled with movement, passion and unbelievable heroism. Won the Pulitzer and Bancroft Prizes for History, and is considered the greatest history of the Rio Grande from pre-Columbian time to mid 20th century.

This very useful guide lists hotels for 22 cities. Also includes extra appendices: useful websites, maps, books; what to pack; tips on accommodations; tourist offices; tips on phoning, faxing; useful phrases; schedule of holidays, events; and a reservation form. Directions included for each hotel. Would be useful to have a plot of hotel locations within the city for trip planning. Listing of hotels by zip code is not useful. Excellent overall.

I am the author of Eating & Drinking in Spanish and Eating & Drinking in Italy (the What Kind of Food Am I? series). I own, and have used, all of Margo Classe's guides, including Hello Spain! These guides are thorough and the author adds a personal touch when she describes in detail each hotel she has visited. Hello Spain! is a must for the independent, budget traveler.

This is a great little book about mid-prized hotels in Spain. The authur has obviously visited all of in person. She describes locations,individual rooms,decors and even tells the traveler, who speaks English in the various hotels. She has many helpful tips on what to pack, how to get to the hotels, even how to get a discount. This is a book for the independent traveler and belongs in their luggage. It won't take up a lot of space either.

I enjoyed locating hotels that suited my needs. I mailed a copy of the fax (from the back of the book) to several hotels and I started getting responses within 4 days. I am really happy and can't wait to travel to Spain.

I used this guide to plan a trip for 5 women travelers, including myself. We selected 2 hotels, one in Madrid and the other in Sevilla. All information was accurate and we were more than pleased with our selections. It is a must-read for anyone on a budget and looking for a bargain. What is especially comforting is that the author has personally stayed in all of the places she highlights in the book. I am looking forward to more books by this author, especially England and France.

Oman is the definitive tactical and operational description of the British and French campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. It's also among the best descriptions in the English language of the realities of early 19th century ground combat.

My reading was of the original volumes in the 1970s; I'm most pleased that these unmatched references have been re-printed.

This is a reprint of the first of Charles Oman's masterful seven volume History of the Peninsular War, and covers the period from the initiation of hostilities to Moore's retreat to Corunna. Quite simple, this is the definitive English language reference on the Peninsular War, and nobody can call themselves a serious student of this era without having read this series. This first volume was published in 1902, the seventh in 1935, and although there has been mountains written since about the campaigns, the battles, and the soldiers in English, French, and Spanish, this is still the undisputed masterwork, and the standard by which all others are compared.

Virtually all of the political, military, and economic issues related to the campaigns are presented in these volumes. Every major battle is described in minute detail by Oman. He personally travelled to virtually every battlefield in Spain and Portugal to better understand the lay of the land for himself. Even more than in central Europe, the terrain played a critical role in the Peninsula, and Oman made every effort to understand how it affected the outcome. There are detailed orders of battle for all combatants and maps for all battles. The maps are large, color foldout format for the more significant battles. Political events are also described, particularly as they relate to the military sphere.

There are some drawbacks/limitations to all the books in this series. First, there is a HEAVY pro-British bias in outlook in all these books. I got the impression that Oman considered the French to be largely incompetent. These books to not present a balanced view, or even seriously try to explain the French perspective of the campaigns. The Spanish are also presented as largely irrelevant, although most of the fighting was in Spain! Second, there are few details of the guerilla operations. This may be the first war in which guerilla operations (what we would today call fourth generation war) played an important (decisive?) role. Oman doesn't omit discussion of these entirely, but they are certainly downplayed. I think that a more detailed discussion of guerilla leaders, operations, and their relationship with the larger military campaigns would have been a great addition to an already long series. Third, like virtually all English military historians, this is a virtual hagiography of Wellington. Don't let this in anyway prevent you from buying these. This series is certainly not the end all on the subject, but it is still, after 70+ years, the best that has ever been written about it.

The original typeface (from the early 20th century editions) has been preserved in this modern re-publication. This really give the text an authentic feel. Seven volumes of 600+ pages each may seem like a lot of reading, but Oman wrote with a easily readable and absorbing prose. This series is obviously a bit of a time commitment, but I would recommend this to even someone with a passing interest in the epoch. I should mention that I first read this serious about 15 years ago, I decided that I didn't know enough about the Peninsular War and borrowed each volume from the library. I've since bought the reprinted volumes (a complete collection of the original volumes is a wee-bit expensive, if you can find them), and re-read sections regularly. If you can believe it, I felt that even after seven volumes, there were many topics that Oman didn't cover in enough detail (see above)!

In short, if you are a serious student of the Napoleonic Wars, you must read this series of books. You will not regret the money or the time spent. I would give this series 6 stars if I could. Outstanding.

Sir Charles Oman's comprehensive seven volume history of the Peninsular War is the yardstick by which any other history of this theatre must be measured. It is exhaustive in detail and in breadth of coverage. If it happened, it is in one of these volumes. Napoleon may have considered Spain a side show, but as results turned out it was a bleeding ulcer. French losses here, combined with the 1812 campaign, placed a strain on the Empire which could not be overcome by even the best generalship. Any true student of the Napoleonic Wars should find these books and read them. They are essential to a complete understanding of the conflict.

This is the first of a seven volume history of the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal between the forces of Napoleonic France and Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain. Oman's account, although dated, is still the definitive account of this long conflict. This first volume recounts the background to the French invasion, the French conquest of Portugal and Spain, and the results, which included insurrection in Spain and British intervention in Portugal. Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, makes his initial appearance in the war at the head of a small British expeditionary force which ultimately displaces the French from Portugal. A larger figure in this first volume is Sir John Moore, who took over leadership of the British expeditionary force and led the ill-fated campaign in Spain. Oman does a superb job capturing the complexities of the conflict at the strategic and operational levels of war. In particular, Oman does an excellent job laying out the conflicts within Spanish ranks which seriously hamstrung their resistance to French occupation. His tactical narrative is adequate; those fascinated by the cut and thrust of battle narratives will do better with other authors. This first volume provides much necessary but sometimes tedious background to the War; although Oman's interest in the British intervention is obvious, he is evenhanded in covering events in Spain. Those undertaking the whole series will find that Oman's writing quality improves with each succeeding volume. This volume is highly recommended to the serious student of the Napoleonic Wars and of the history of the British Army. Possession of a good map of the Iberian Peninsula will supplement the smaller maps included in the text.

I am ashamed to say, after studying the Napoleonic Wars for quite some time, this is my first reading of this excellent volume. It is an exhaustive, authoritative account of the Peninsular War that is without peer in English. Oman spent years researching and writing this multi-volume epic, and it is invaluable both as a reference and a research tool on its own. The only way you will find like information is by going into the archives yourself.

Oman does somewhat over simplify 'column versus line' in his study, but the detail, and the sweep of these campaigns that he so meaningfully tells more than make up for that.

This book, and the series it introduces, are highly recommended for any and all enthusiasts and historians, and it has an honored place on my bookshelf. The price may be somewhat steep, but it is definitely worth it.

This reissue has an invaluable introduction by Col John Elting, the noted authority on the period, which is helpful in understanding how and why Oman wrote the series. This book, and the series, is a definite keeper and is without peer for the study of these critical campaigns.

Best travel guide bar none. Fits your pocket or small purse.. Visually great looking.There are actual pictures .... All high recommended hotels different prices..Great maps.. hard to get lost even in Barcelona .. Great recommends for food I am a shopper.. Absolutely great & unusual shops ..None of the bad tourist gear only the styling gear.. .I had four guides to Barcelona this is the one we used every day...We do not go anywhere without this guide if there is one available for the destination I will be traveling to....

These are great guides. Very small on size, huge on information! These guides contain all the information that you need.

If you've never tried Knopf MapGuides, you are missing out.
I've used them in several countries, from Russia to Italy, and I'm never disapppointed. They mark every single street so you never get lost walking between toursits stops.

They are easy to use, thanks to the sections that fold out - no more struggling with big clumsy maps, or straining to read tiny maps in guide books that only label the big streets. They always include a metro map and show metro stops.

The best part is, they have recommendations on everything for each area in the city: entertainment, arts, food, cafes, hotels, etc. Just leave a museum and want to grab a pastry & latte? No problem, there are 4 good choices within the area listed. Want to know a good spot for food within walking distance of your hotel? There are a dozen spots listed.

In Barcelona, I found two amazing spots to eat that wouldn't have been written up anywhere else (in the second eatery they locals looked stunned when we walked in - obviously not a usual place for tourists). Other guidebooks limit the total number of write ups - with the design of the fold out map, Knopf has space for many more. Haven't eaten at a Knopf recommend place that was subpar yet, and I can't say that for my other guidebooks.

The only draw back is Knopf only covers so many cities, but hopefully they'll continue to expand.

I brought 5 Barcelona books with me for the trip. This was the only one I carried around throughout my stay there. Great fold out maps and color coded to easily find your destination. It's small and compact, easily fit into a coat jacket or a purse.

We've just returned from Barcelona, having brought several pocket guides with us -- this one was the lightest to carry and had the best maps. The city is divided into six sections, each with short descriptions of several attractions and restaurants, and each with a fol-out map to that section. These maps were included metro stops, street names and the places listed, and were augmented by small color photographs. Attraction and restaurant listings include hours, prices and telephone numbers/ The front and back covers fold-out also and give general and metro information and some hotel listings. We found this little guide to be fairly useful, but particularly liked the maps.

I read this book in a week and enjoy every moment while I was reading. Bruno is one of this characters (with the combination of tenderness and manliness) that if the book is taken to the screens (with the appropriate actor) will win the Oscar.

I have read "La sonrisa etrusca" with relentless fascination and daunted nostalgia. I completely got excited at the relationship between grandfather and grandchild, their quiet, yet boundless chemistry. There are fewer granddads left like him, honorable, proud, vain, corteous, charming, humorous, altruistic and bragging of the winnings of years past. The book itself is a realistic signature of generational relationships.

El despertar del hombre.

En el principio se me hizo cuesta arriba este autor con ese estilo y siendo desconocido para mí, la empecé a leer con cierta reticencia, sin saber si llegaría al final, tarde cerca de un mes en terminarla, pero ciertamente valió la pena el esfuerzo de sobreponerme a su estilo y encontrar las voces que pueblan esta obra mágica, digna de aclamación. Trata la misma del despertar del hombre, de un hombre que al final de sus días descubre que la vida va mucho mas allá de lo que el siempre pensó, de lo que imagino. Un viejo roble, un guerrero, conociendo en la decadencia la otra mitad de su ser, la ternura del amor encontrado; no de ese amor carnal que siempre disfruto, sino de la verdadera ternura, de la dedicación por el otro, del apego, la inocencia, de cosas que siempre pensó pertenecían a las mujeres o a las maricas o a las gentes de Milán con todas sus delicadezas de señorítos bien educados y sus conocimientos de libros. Es la historia de un amor tardío, pero que en realidad no es tardío, pues necesitaba estar en ese tiempo para poder amar así. Habría desdeñado todo eso en su juventud pues no conocía o no quería conocer que el amor es mas que eso a lo que nos tienen acostumbrados a los varones, cabalgar sobre una hembra y darle placer y punto. La novela va ganando ternura conformo avanzamos y al final hasta Andrea quien resultaba odiosa al principio de la obra le tomamos cariño, pues ya sabemos que aunque siempre preocupada por si misma y su trabajo, los quiere a su manera. Pero el también supo dar de lo suyo, supo con su virilidad y su fuerza infundir amor y respeto en su hijo y amor en la Dunka, que aunque lo insultaba, lo necesitaba. La novela es un elogio al cambio, al cambio que debe operarse en el hombre, esa feminización de los hombres, esa comprensión de las las mujeres que debe ir mas allá del asentimiento con las palabras a las acciones que en ningún modo nos degrada como hombres, sino que nos engrandece como seres humanos y nos hace mas dignos de ser amados por esos seres tiernos a quienes queremos tanto...

Grande, La Vida....

(Translated as "The Etruscan Smile") Sampedro, one of Spain's most preeminent authors, was born in Barcelona and spent his youth in Tangiers. His books are known in Spain for their beautiful prose.

Written in 1985, "The Etruscan Smile" was inspired by his grandson's birth, and is a tender, touching story of an old man from Calabria (Italy) who, due to his failing health, travels to Milan to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and his new grandson. The old man does not appreciate the big city and misses the country ways (even his old village nemesis). He certainly does not approve of the way his son and wife are raising his grandson, with whom he bonds immediately.

The story really involves the last two months of the old man's life and the surprising and fulfilling relationships he forms with his infant grandson, an old lady friend, and a young college student and his professor. The writing is tremendous and this is possibly one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read.

I read this book in its original language. I can see why this book was displayed in every bookstore in my visits to Spain. I just had to read it.

Bruno, the grandfather and a veteral of WWII, finds himself in Milan, a city which from the very beginning he hates. But this same city brings him the last two loves of his live: Hortensia, a southern Italian woman who he marries during his last days, and his infant grandson, Brunnetino, who inspires the old man to feel needed and loved in a very special way. This is a book that everyone who has ever experienced love (any type of love) must read!

This is not a travel guide with notes on best restaurants, cheapest hotels, and favorite tourist sites. Proper wrote about a Portugal he knew and loved well, providing nice mental images of friends, customs, food, and fishing. A really nice read.

First things first. I am a big fan of Portugal. I've been there three times. I have a reasonable, if sometimes rusty, command of the language. I do like fado music and innumerable Portuguese dishes. And, like the author of this very pleasant book, I admire the Portuguese people for their lack of pretension, their down-to-earth lifestyle, and their belief in hard work, family, and a bit of cynicism for the many phonies of this world. When he tries, Datus Proper can bring alive any episode from history, for example, the crucial battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. Cultural comparisons between Portugal and the USA are his forte; I really liked the way he handled them. Then too, Lisboa is one of my favorite cities in the whole world. So, with all this, how could I not like THE LAST OLD PLACE and its wry humor and insightful comments on Portugal, Portuguese history, and Portuguese people ? In fact I liked it a lot, was even sorry to reach the end and I suspect, if you give it a try, you will feel the same.

However. I don't feel like excusing Portuguese deeds overseas by saying that, well, that was long ago, and we all had different standards then. Of course, that is true, but still, Portuguese colonialism in Asia and Africa was ugly, even if it was less ugly than that of some other, nameless countries. A minor quibble, I mean, the book isn't about colonial deeds or misdeeds. The main point for most readers is the following....how interested in trout fishing are you ? Alas, I am not the slightest interested in it, so I was kind of "floundering" there, if you'll pardon me. The author travels around Portugal with a local friend-a kind of human equivalent of Steinbeck's Charley---a man we don't really get to know much about, but one who perhaps represents some old, now-vanishing Portuguese qualities, but more importantly, shares Proper's addiction to fly fishing in remote streams. So, to reach my conclusion rapidly, I would have liked a lot more of the author's clever, humorous, apt observations on Portugal and a lot less clambering around the rocks looking for the perfect trout hole.

This is the most affectionate writing on Portugal I've encountered in English. Pure pleasure from beginning to end. Note the incisive comparison between Spaniards and the Portuguese. I can tell you it's right on the money. There are things in this book that would escape the notice of a native, so it's a particular treat for Portuguese-Americans.

I initially read this book because of the author's great bird hunting book, Pheasants of the Mind. I have read 100's of books and it is one of the best explorations of a place and its culture I have seen. I wish I could find others like it.

I can't believe this book is out of print! Proper combines three aspects of Portugal to create his richly evocative book: his relationship to the land through trout fishing, his relationships to old and new Portuguese friends, and his sensitive portrayal of the way the past informs modern life in Portugal. You'll smell the fresh bread, frolic with Camoes's nymphs, and feel the sun in the Algarve. A terrific book.

These are comments from my students...

"Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask is a book about fighting or wrestling. 'Lucha Libre...'is a good book for Spanish people that don't know how to read or speak in English. It's also good for people who don't know how to speak or read in Spanish because on each page it has an English part and a Spanish part, too. My opinion about the book is that it is a good book and it has good pictures. Also, on each page there are pictures that are colorful." --Duaa



"I like this book because it's a good book and it's interesting, especially the part about El Vampiro. I like when he stretches and his stomach pops out and his muscles get stronger. You should read this book because is has Spanish and English. It's fun. You should read it!" --Feras



"My opinion about 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask' is that it is good because it's bilingual and people who speak Spanish can understand the two different languages, Spanish and English, and learn them a little better. The good thing about this book is that it has two boxes, one in English and one in Spanish. It is a good book, and you should read it. The books was interesting through the whole thing. As I read it, it was getting more and more interesting. You should read this book because it will be a nice book for you!" --Kiara



"I like this book, 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask', because it has English and Spanish. However, it has too many pictures. My favorite part is when the Man in the Silver Mask jumps on El Vampiro, and he lands on the ground. That's when the Tecnicos won. " --Daniel

"My opinion of the book 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask' is tha this book is a good book to read because this book helps people that speak no Spanish learn to speak some Spanish. Also for people that speak no English, they can learn to speak some English. This is also a good book for little kids because it has a lot of pictures. Another thing I liked about this book is that most of it is understandable, but it does have some hard words to read. This is why I think this is a good book to read." --Victor

"My opinion of the book 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask' is that it is a great book to read. I liked reading this book because it is interesting. You read one page, and you want to keep on going. One thing that I don't like about this book is it looks hard to read. I love the pictures because they have action, and they are so creative, the colors and all. One thing I really like is that it is in Spanish and English. I liked the end of the book; it is wonderfully interesting. This book is awesome, very great. You need to read this book. " --Diana

"My opinion about 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask' is that it was a really good book. I liked this book because it was really interesting. I was interested to know what would happen at the end of the book. I liked this book because in the beginning it started in an exciting way and ended in an exciting way, too. So, I would like to tell youi to check out this book; it is really interesting. It really has great illustrations and a great story." --Gisela

My opinion of 'Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask' is that I like it because it has pictures and it has Spanish and English words. It is about a man in a silver mask (that's the book title), and they have fun. They have other luchadores, like El Cucuy, El Vampiro, El Carvenicola and more, but the best one is the Man in the Silver Mask. He's the best luchadore, and that's what the boy (Carlitos) said, but he doesn't know if the Man in the Silver Mask is his uncle." --Alondra

The young narrator has the opportunity of a lifetime; not only does attend the Lucha Libre matches with his grandfather, but a chance to purchase a mask of his favorite luchadore, the Man in the Silver Mask, and the opportunity to meet the legend before he does battle inside the squard-circle.

Though the book is written for ages 9-12, the wonderful artwork - in a classic, graphic-novel style - and endnote on the history of Lucha Libre makes this a collectible for any fan of professional wrestling.

The mask may be silver, but this luchadore is pure gold to the young fan; with the story evoking memories - for those sharing it with children - on real past heroes in the ring.

"The Man in the Silver Mask" is an overt tribute to "El Santo, El Enmascarada de Plata" but its also a beautiful story of familial love...

The story reminded me of the fascination lucha libre and pro-wrestling held for me in my youth. The story can be compared to the youthful feelings a child experiences during Christmas and the stories of "Santa Claus".

I took great pleasure and pride reading this story to my two year old daughter, who I believe really experienced the feelings of joy the artist provided within the pages. The pictures were bold, the emotions were strong.

A beautiful story for all ages.

This is a charming story, beautifully illustrated (for the record, I am a collector of Xavier's artworks, including some wonderful "portraits" of Lucha Libre masked men and women). The historical background at the back of the book is like dessert....Xavier's telling of the real story of Lucha Libre makes this book a real treasure. We have a copy in our library, and have bought copies for the "older" grandsons (10 & 12) and the younger grandson (6). We are all going to enjoy the book for a very long time.

Just like the little boy in the book I now too love Lucha Libre and its masked heroes and villains! This book was great, kids will just love it.