Europe Books

This is a delightful gem which captures the spiritual inspiration of the pilgrimage both historically and in the modern context. It is a marvelous book for those who intend their journey to be more than just a long cultural hike.

For my recent comiplation of pilgrimage quotations ("Ultreia! Onward! Progress of the Pilgrim") I read all 40 or so contemporary English journal accounts available about the various routes. Rudolph's is clearly within the first grouping of 8 or so best such books (i.e. largely those written by established authors and/or academics). He is able to convey in a fraction of the pages of other volumes many interesting and important aspects of undertaking such a pilgrimage. Though not the most quotable of sources (i.e. 7 such extracted for the review volume Ultreia! Onward!) Rudopplh nevertheless is particularly good at writing about the process of pilgrimage.

The book reads as if you were sitting in an art history lecture -- the author writes using simple, direct, yet descriptive language. While the narrative is framed around the St James trail, it is really a book about inner transformation, not a description of the external world and the landmarks one sees during the pilgrimage. In all, the book has helped me prepare my frame of mind for the bike pilgrimage I am about to embark. The best part -- it's a short and quick read!

Conrad Rudolph, a professor of medieval art,has made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Campostela and knows enough about the history of the pilgrimage and the art and architecture to be seen along the way to write a book that tells not only how to prepare for the long hike and what to take but also what is to be seen and what it all means from a historical perspective.

As I write this review, I'm wearing the boots I plan to use on my own Camino pilgrimage next week. In addition to breaking them in, I've been preparing my body, mind, and heart for the long walk to Santiago. Reading "Pilgrimage to the End of the World" was an enjoyable and necessary part of that process.

Conrad Rudolph's book on the Camino de Santiago has four parts: 1) some historical background, 2) an account of his trek, 3) a series of black-and-white personal photographs with explanations that range from a paragraph to a page or so long, and 4) a practical guide (what to wear, how to pack, etc.). Despite its brevity (only 131 pages), Mr. Rudolph's memoir is packed with useful and interesting information. The surprising revelation that the author is a rationalist only serves to make his tale more compelling, especially considering the profound effect a pilgrimage usually done for spiritual reasons had upon him.

Indeed, the Camino began as an important medieval religious pilgrimage to Santiago, alleged burial place of St. James. But it has grown to accommodate folks on quests of many kinds. What's ironic about Mr. Rudolph's journey is that despite his rationalist mindset, he walked the farthest distance of any pilgrim, faith-based or otherwise, I've read about so far. He began in Le Puy, France, went through Santiago, and concluded in Finisterre - the "End of the World" on the Spanish west coast. That's about double the walking distance from the usual starting point of St. Jean Pied de Port, a French town on the Spanish border. And I thought we religious folk were supposed to be the crazy ones...

Despite his excellent account and helpful information, I part ways with the author in one key area: his firm recommendation of an external-frame pack. He's correct about the increased ventilation it offers, since the external frame holds the pack away from one's back. But according to another pilgrim's memoir, you'll sweat no matter what kind of pack you carry. Also, there are far more sizes and types of internal-frame packs to choose from. At REI I found only one model of external frame pack for sale among the plethora of internal packs - a forlorn Kelty similar to the one the author used. Bottom line, I'd say that an internal-frame pack is a better choice (I'm taking a 4,300 cubic-inch Gregory Baltoro).

At any rate, "Pilgrimage to the End of the World" is a must-read for anyone contemplating, or actually preparing for, the Camino pilgrimage. Other helpful and inspirational books I used to get ready include: "Buen Camino," by Jim & Eleanor Clem, "Camino Chronicle" by Susan Alcorn, and "Fumbling," by Kerry Egan (also, check the Confraternity of St. James' website for lots of good info and up-to-date Camino guidebooks). If you choose to go, let me be the first you wish you a Buen Camino!

UPDATE 9/7/07: On 7/14/07 I stepped off in St. Jean Pied-de-Port (France), and on 8/24/07 I walked into Santiago, Spain. Turned out that the boots I mentioned in the first paragraph were too heavy, so I bought a lighter Spanish pair in Logrono that served me well. My internal-frame pack was the Camino standard (although the model I had was too large and initially weighted down with unnecessary stuff) - out of the hundreds of pilgrims I saw, only a couple had external frame packs. At any rate, I recommend this book as necessary reading for anyone planning to walk the Way.

Excellent book, it gives a good account of one of the British irregular army units in action in Italy and Germany during the later states of WWII.

There are books on your shelf you should never loan out if you ever hope to see them again. This is one of those books. The WW2 British unit known as Popski's Private Army (PPA) operated in North Africa and Italy. Written by its founder, Vladimir Peniakoff (Popski), the book covers the units contributuion to the war effort. Using machinegun armed Jeeps like the later fictional TV Rat Patrol, this small united operated behind the German and Italian lines. The PPA did not beat Nazi Germany by itself, but its contribution far exceeded its small size. If the grand sweep of armies leaves you hungering for the individual courage found in small units, then this is the book for you. I also recommend "Fighting with Popski's Private Army" by fellow PPA member Park Yunnie.

Peniakoff tells a interesting tale of WWII, but I was struck by his continually contradictory behaviour.

In one sentence he'll say that the purpose of a mission was reconnaissance only, and his unit was not to engage the enemy unless escape was not possible and they were attacked. In the next paragraph, he'll tell how they attacked a convoy of enemy vehicles simply because they felt the need for some action before heading back to base.

He complains about the Italian gentry exploiting the peasantry and the next minute, he's eating a seven course meal with them.
That's just a couple of examples; the book is loaded with similar incidents.

Still, it's a good read, and shows how intelligence is gathered during wartime (sometimes you just get on the phone and call ahead!).

This book is hard to find but well worth the effort. Peniakoff led a facinating life and this book is a must for anybody interested in World War II special operations.

On the 6th of May 1945 men in wheeled vehicles crossed the mosaic floor of the Piazza San Marco in Venice for the very first time in history. They drove around the square seven times in the small, heavily armoured vehicles in which they'd fought their way across North Africa, Italy, and were to travel on to Austria. At the head of this curious band was a man who sported a hook for a hand, and a nom de guerre which was similarly incongruous for a 48 year old Major in the British army. Vladimir Peniakoff, or "Popski" as he became known, was the enigmatic Belgian born son of White Russian emigres, who had until recent years "pursued the ordinary activities of industry" as a discontented sugar refiner in Egypt. Having tutored himself, alone in the Sand Sea but for the navigational instruments of antiquity, he emerged from the wilderness to train the men who accompanied him through the years of turmoil to this long dreamt of moment of victory. "Private Army" is one of the finest military memoirs I have read, and ranks alongside Fitzroy McLean's "Eastern Approaches" and TE Lawrence's "The Mint". This is the authoritative work on Popski's Private Army, but is much more than a Regimental history. This is a superb piece of literature which you will not quickly forget. Read also "With Popski's Private Army" by Ben Owen, a superb companion book to the above.

Having spent quite a bit of time in Provence I love to grab this book and go back there, remembering all the times and meals. Creating dishes from this book really helps me to enjoy Provence all over again.

I was a little suspicious of the series. After all, should we trust a book more suitably sized for the coffee table than for the kitchen counter? But my mistrust was misguided. The food is wonderful. All people have assumptions about "others," and one of the assumptions Americans make about the French is that their food is very difficult to prepare and relies on expensive ingredients. The truth is that French food need not be difficult and that it is a cuisine that recognizes the beauty of each season. Since my children bought this book for me, we have been building seasonal rituals around it. For example, we get salt anchovies from the neighborhood Italian deli for our Christmas eve appetizer. At Mardi Gras, we make the oreilles found in this book, which are the pastries sold as "pig's ears" or "angel wings" in the last days before Lent by Polish bakeries in Detroit. Depending on the bakery, they were known as "pig's ears" or "angels wings." My only criticism of the book is that I feel the need to keep it open in the dining room, lest kitchen grease spoils it.

"Provence, The Beautiful Cookbook" by Richard Olney is a beautiful coffee table book filled with exquisite views and mouth-watering authentic dishes from this region of France.

Every time I look through this book, I feel like I am on an actual journey to Provence. And each time, I close this book, I feel a strong yearning to actually see this part of France with my own eyes!

This book is divided into food chapters, like most cookbooks, but also, there are chapters about different areas within this region: Alpes-Maritimes; Soups and Starters; Alpes-de-Haute-Provence; Fish and Shellfish; Vaucluse; Meat, Poultry and Gram; Bouches-du-Rhone; Vegetables and Grains; Var; and Desserts.

A wonderful book for lovers of Provence!

I like this book, but it does point out one weakness in Provencal cooking...a slight lack of variety. There are multiple gratin recipes, good fish dishes, etc. It also doesn't shy away from organ meats, etc., much like the region itself. Like all the books in this visually stunning series, this one has lovely photography.

French born and 4th generation provençale, I take pride in the cuisine from my homeland and I have to confess I was a little wary about what I would find in this book. Well, the authors did a wonderful job at promoting the gastronomic traditions of Provence without betraying them. My grand-mother, our family's head-cook, and our culinary inspiration would have given her seal of approval without hesitation, would she have been around to discover this wonderful recipe collection and it is with her and my homeland in mind that I enjoy preparing the recipes featured in this excellent collection for my own enjoyment and the one of my (American) husband and our friends.

Keith Thomas is one of the most recognized early modern historians. And this is his seminal work. It is universally noted as one of the great early modern history books. And this is not without excellent reason.
By examining two of the most unique and pertinent topics of early modern England (religion and magic), Thomas is able to give a dynamic account of an oftentimes overlooked period of Western civilization and thoroughly examine the social mentalities and perceptions behind witchcraft/magic/prophecy/etc. With his characteristic grasp of communication, Thomas brings in an plethora of primary sources giving the book an original flavor and an almost 'magical'(forgive me) appeal.
The book is both a serious work of scholarship and an accessible read for those not familiar with social science rhetoric. It has become a vital part of my own graduate research and an enjoyable doorway into the world of early modern society.
The only reason, it has not received five stars in my review is the weakness of the final chapter. The book does cover three hundred years of belief, in a period when reason and belief began their modern schism away from each other, and perhaps this has something to do with the unconclusive conclusion with which Thomas leaves the reader.

Keith Thomas's Religion and the Decline of Magic was the first of my books for summer reading, and I doubt that any novel that I choose will be half as entertaining or any text as informative. By the conclusion I felt that I was completing an odessey throughout the early modern era with a sympathy and understanding of a world far different then ours in some respects, yet, as Thomas succinctly points out in the conclusion, profoundly similar. No other history book has granted me a deeper sense of understanding about human drives for stability and for explaination in all things. This is a book that grants insight and understanding far beyond its proclaimed subject matter, with positive and sweeping consequences for the objective thinker.

I first read this book as a history graduate student many years ago, and it still remains one of my favorite books of all time. Thomas set himself a daunting task--ascertaining the effect the change in religion from Catholicism with its beliefs in miracles, saints, transubstantiation to Protestantism with its adversion to miraculous beliefs had on the popular imagination.

Thomas tapped little used sources, the Church court records which included trials for witchcraft or magic to see if he could trace a decline in belief in magic. Thomas concluded that magical belief did decline from the 15th-17th centuries. In my opinion, he proved his case.

Anyone who has done historical research will stand in awe of Thomas' command of sources and his ability to synthesize. Anyone who is more than a little fed up with ahistorical screeds on witchcraft prosecutions a la Margaret Murray, will applaud Thomas's reasoned and credible explaination of the reasons behind witchcraft prosecutions. Basically, witchcraft prosecution in 16th century England filled the same function as it does in contemporary Africa--an attempt to control the uncontrollable.

Other people have praised the contents of this book, as well they should. So allow me to add something that might sway prospective readers.

I read this book at the conclusion of a year-long tutorial on this period of English history. Having focused on economic, social, military, diplomatic and religious histories of the time, I could not have been better prepared to read this book. It was, hands, down, the most perfect book I could have picked up after all that.

However, I realize that my circumstances will likely differ from others. Some people won't dive into this book after having waded through multiple texts on the centuries in question. This book shouldn't be appealing to academics or (in my case) failed academics alone. So, to those curious who haven't specialized in this field or even had the happy luck to muck about in it, like I did, I will say two things.

One, I enthusiastically recommended this book to several college buddies, none of whom were history students. While they had some questions that needed a glance at an encyclopedia, all thoroughly enjoyed it. Based on their responses, I'd say anyone with any background or interest in/familiarity with anthropology, religion or early English literature will enjoy this book.

Two, I read this book right before meeting my stepfather-in-law, a Presbyterian minister, for the first time. And just based on asking him questions and bringing up the subject matter provided us with hours of fascinating conversation. If you know anyone well-schooled in religion who enjoys talking about its history (and is not offended by the suggestion that sometimes religion can err), this book will be great conversation fodder and a delightful present.

That being said, reading this book was a wonderful experience. It combined the rigors of excellent scholarship with the pleasures of dryly witty writing and engrossing primary-source material. (I cannot say enough about this. It's a misfortune of the rigors of historical research that many of the people with the stamina to endure it don't seem to possess a similar aptitude for writing. Thomas may not be as pithy and light as A.J.P. Taylor, but his prose is far above historical-text average, and what he lacks as a stylist is more than made up for by the funny, bizarre and vivid primary-source passages he quotes.)

Ten years ago, this book might have been more difficult for non-historians, non-theologians and non-anthropologists to pick up and just read for fun. Now, with Wikipedia and countless other online tools, references to English history that might otherwise have seemed cryptic or arcane are easily searched and can only add to the full experience of enjoying Mr. Thomas' work. It might feel like work for a little while, to constantly refer to an online encyclopedia to clarify points about Charles I or Oliver Cromwell, but that will pass. Don't be afraid to jump in! It's a challenging text at times, but it is well worth the effort.

This book covered most every aspect of religion and the Reformation. Beginning with the wonderful opening chapter that explains the environment of the current era and ending with the equally as powerful conclusion that ties the whole book together. You are exposed to astrologists, witches, cunning men, sorcerers and realize how they each worked against, and with, the Church. We see how the rising of Church of England ebolished the idea of "magic" and miricals, an important factor in the decline of Catholocism. I highly reccomend this as an advanced reader to anyone interested in how the "pagen" influence and Church power intermingaled in an age when community was giving way to individulism. Brilliant.

My wife and I went to Croatia and Slovenia in September 2007. This was an excellent guide. We loved the fact that it was completely up to date

I was in Montenegro for business and took a 3-day trip to see Dubrovnik. This guidebook was excellent for seeing the town. You don't need any other guidebook. Additionally, it was perfect for touring the "Bay of Kotor" area of Montenegro, which is a popular day-trip from Dubrovnik.

I have used several guide books for each international trip and Rick Steves always has the most useful information for someone looking for a fun but affordable trip. He picks the best values for the money, and always knows where the locals go. The best was a little cafe in Aix en Provence where we went for lunch, and as we were sitting, Rick Steves walked by with his film crew, so we all ran out and had him sign our Rick Steves' Provence books!

Rick Steves knows Europe and how to convey his insightful comments in an entertaining way. I read the book cover to cover without being bored or inundated with any useless data....everything was relevant. Highly recommended.

I used Rick Steve's throughout Germany and Belgium and his tips and recommendations were spot on. We are now planning a trip to Italy and Croatia and I am once again, using his money & time saving tips, and recommendations on where to stay.

If you want to be simply a tourist, then Rick Steve's is not for you. If you want to truly experience a culture and have a great time then use his book.

While this guide does have loads of information, I did not find the description of the accomodations to be particularly accurate. And after a day of driving and/or sightseeing, I do appreciate comfort and expect it if it's been foretold.

I took 3 books to Scotland -- Rough Guide, Frommer's, Fodor's (all 2004) and this was clearly the best. It was bigger and had more detail than the other's which was very useful when travelling 2200 miles around the country and wondering what there was to do or where to eat while in transit between planned stops. Rough Guide had lots of interesting things to do and places to visit in areas where the other two books had nothing. Fodor's and Frommer's tended to be more opinionated which was sometimes useful and I did find a good accommodation from Fodor's one night, but if I was only to take one book, it was clearly Rough Guide.

In travelling through Scotland this summer, I found this book invaluable in pointing out important places to visit. Particularly impressive was the way it would imply avoiding certain sections and areas of the country, but never denigrating anything. It is a thorough guide for the whole country, and I found it's analysis interesting and thought provoking. It also makes a good read when you are not even travelling. This is an outstanding book, without question.

This was my fourth Rough Guide, and was perhaps the best of them all. It contains an incredible amount of detail on all sorts of historical monuments, large and small. This guide helped make my trip to Scotland perhaps the best of my vacations. Highly recommended.

Circumstances permitted us only a one-week visit to Scotland, and this book helped us make every day full and enjoyable. It led us to out-of-the-way places we never would have found on our own. Its straightforward descriptions made it easy to choose among several options in any area that we traveled through.

Thus we found Innerperfray Library with its librarian, Mr. Powell, and his entertaining personal tour, walks in the woods of Glen Coe and Loch Leven, the slate quarry at Ballachulish, the island of Inchmahome and the ruins of Inchmahome Abbey, a cruise in a small boat along unspoiled Loch Shiel, Doune Castle (where an anxious crew was shooting a TV commercial), and dinner with excellent food in pleasant surroundings - and way off the beaten track - at An Crann, in Balavie, near Fort William.

The book's listings of accommodations, however, seem more for the hardy. We found reasonably priced and comfortable hotels through local tourist offices, for which the book also provides contact information.

My father-in-law served with Easy company. His name was Loring "Spike" Wadsworth. If you've seen the opening part of "Saving Private Ryan", it is hard to imagine that anyone had it scarier than those guys on that beach. Until you hear the stories of the men at Pointe-du-Hoc. And then to think that there were one or two battles further in that some of these Rangers felt were even worse! Spike was proud of the 2nd Bn., and the men loved Rudder and would have followed him into the very jaws of Hell; which is in essence what they did. My father-in-law and his comrades inspired me to serve my own enlistment in the Army, and he was mighty proud at my service. Coming from a hero who served with Rudder's Rangers, his pride in me meant more than any service award or medal I ever got. Spike died shortly after attending the 50th anniversary of D-day. Read this book. You will be awed by the strength and guts of these men. I have had the priviledge of having known one of them. Rangers lead the way!

As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted on many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. USER-LOCATION: REVIEW: As a 5th Battalion Ranger reading Ron Lane's true story, memories of the first days of the Normandy invasion come alive as if they happened yesterday.

As the 2nd and 5th Ranger Bns. interacted in many missions of WWII, this vividly written account of the assault on the French beaches - and the awesome task of gaining a foothold from which to advance into Europe - brings that time alive to all Rangers.

Lt. Col. Ronald Lane captures the emotions and pride of all of us, as he sees that time through the eyes of those he interviewed for his book. As a later Airborne Ranger in Viet Nam, he better understands and narrates the stories of the WWII Rangers and relates them so realistically that they are absorbing and meaningful to soldiers and civilians alike. In this book, you will put yourself into the body of each Ranger making history at that time. END

I am a 1st cousin of Ronald Lane. Ronald passed away just a couple of years ago. He was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetary with full military honors. In attendance were some of the orignal Rudder's Rangers. Ron was retired from the army. He also graduated from West Point. I read the book. I am proud to be part of his remaining family, and very proud of his work!

I found this to be an excellent and authoritative book with detailed accounts of the 2nd Rangers on D-Day. I know a number of Rangers veterans who recommended this book to me as a well written and accurate account. This is by far one of the best D-Day books I have in my growing collection. If you are a D-Day buff, then I recommend it to you without hesitation. Your D-Day collection will be incomplete without it!

From the very start of this book, you're pulled in. You're on the English Channel with the young, brave, terrified Rangers as they make their way towards Omaha Beach. You'll hear the whine of the Landing craft engines. You'll watch as the men struggle to keep their landing craft afloat, or as they sink helplessly to the bottom with all their heavy gear, drowned before their mission really started. You'll recoil from the geysers of water shooting into the air from German artillery. You'll duck - knowing it's futile, that once you hear it, it's already past you - as bullet after bullet pings off your craft. It's an incredible ride, and an incredible story. "Saving Private Ryan" was fictionalized, but the first thirty minutes of that movie realistically portrayed the horrors of that day. Read this book to find out the rest of the story, from the men who were there. One of the main persons in this story is Leonard "Bud" Lomell, who has a chapter in the "Heroes" section of Tom Brokaw's best seller, "The Greatest Generation." If you're hungry to find out more about him and the rest of his Ranger buddies - all heroes in my eyes - read this book!

For an autobiography, constrained to stick to what actually happened or was lived, the second world war is as dramatic a context as you can get. I have little previous exposure to books about personal experiences of the second world war, but I think what sets this book apart is the slowness & indirectness of experiencing the war & the inevitable & visceral destruction it brings.

Brandenburg tells a very involved & nuanced story without ever bordering on the dramatic. She shows remarkable poise & a wonderful eye for detail without losing herself in any kind of literary embellishments. She tells the story of growing up with a lovely peasant family in East Prussia, its hard life demanding discipline, the Germans trading freedom for security post first world war, Hitler's deep penetration into the social & psychological realms of Germany, the initial victories, the never-ending war with Russia, the eventual retreats, & the German defeat.

In between all this are woven tales of growing up, marriages, jealousies, betrayals, cowardice, fear & suspense. And inevitably, there is death. Yes, there is hope at the end, & yes, there is rejuvenation. But those remain very lame consolations for what is lost, for what is learned, & for what is lived.

Perhaps, if Brandenburg had experienced the war as an adult, there might have been more complex experiences & analysis; however, this book remains ultimately about what is lost.

S!

I recently finished the book Ruined by the Reich. Its a compelling story of a firsthand account of a families anguish. When Christel speaks of her harrowing ordeals you can visualize everything that she is going through. A detailed outlook of the effects of war on all individuals involved.I would love to see this book made into a movie. Dan Laing is an excellent writer and Christel Weiss is a wonderful story teller.

I JUST FINISHED READING, RUINED BY THE REICH. THIS WAS
A FASCINATING STORY, AND YET VERY SAD. I DON'T THINK
MOST OF US EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE GERMAN PEOPLE SUFFERING.
THAT POOR GIRL. THE WRITING WAS SO DISTINCT, I FELT IT
WHEN CHRISTEL WAS COLD AND I FELT STARVED WHEN SHE DIDN'T
GET ENOUGH TO EAT. POOR CHRISTEL IS IN OUR PRAYERS.

I HOPE THESE TWO WHO HAVE COLLABORATED SO WELL, ARE
WORKING ON A SCREEN PLAY.

THIS WAS SO VERY WELL TOLD. POOR CRYSTEL IS IN OUR PRAYERS.

The beauty of this story is in the details. What was eaten for breakfast; her first doll; the logistics of evacuating - of loading your possessions and food onto a wagon hitched to a horse in the days before refrigeration and styrofoam coolers. Yes, this story is a tragedy, be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled but intermingled are the happy events such as finding an abandoned cow, hiding it and tasting milk again.The characters are real and the reader cannot help himself from empathizing with the whole village.

After reading Ruined by the Reich it brought to light that everyone suffers during and after war. Unfortunately, to this point, the view of Germans has always been that the whole population were Nazis. From this book we realize that such is not the case and that Germans also encountered horrible and unspeakable acts of terror in their own country. It's important to understand that there are two sides to every story and thanks to the vivid recount by Dan Laing and the strength of Christel Weiss Brandeburg we are presented with the entire picture.

This book is a first rate historical work chronicling the most magnificent working class struggle in history. A time when anarchism meant something truly inspiring and when it still had substance.

The Spanish anarchists remind us of a time when large numbers of people vehemently opposed the status quo of Capitalism and the State and truly did what was necessary to organize a mass movement to radically change it. Bookchin writes with such a clear yet intelligent prose that virtually everything he writes is worth reading. This book is one of his best and along with his 4 volume (and unfortunately very expensive) book "The Third Revolution" it very much proves how strong a historian he really was during his lifetime.

While this book is both highly informative and exciting in its evocation of a remarkable period of history, I cannot also be saddened by the fact that Bookchin died last year in 2006 and that his fiery intellect is no longer with us. I am also saddened by this work in another way. While Bookchin brings to light a period of history that should never be forgotten or not learned from, looking at the modern anarchist "scene" I cannot help but feel that the glory days of classical anarchism are gone and that contemporary anarchism has completely degenerated into misanthropy, post-modernism, mysticism, nihilism, and an opposition to forming mass movements at all; in effect that today's anarchism has become completely coopted by modern bourgeois society and has been rendered completely inert by that mentality. Let us hope that is not the case, but if this is so then we, those of us who still insist that a genuine social revolution is desperately needed and also a mass movement organized from below to achieve it, must forge ahead and adopt a new term for our form of revolutionary libertarian socialism, something Bookchin tried to do in the last years of his life and from which we can learn a great deal.

Bookchin established himself among the foremost anarchist theorists of the late 20th century with his sparkling collection "Post-Scarcity Anarchism".

With "The Spanish Anarchists" he proves himself to be a historian of the first rank, drawing on primary sources, a wide array of secondary literature, and in-depth interviews with key members of the Spanish Anarchist movement to paint a vivid picture of half a century of organizing that led to the most powerful anarchist upsurge in world history (yet!).

Bookchin handles the history deftly, drawing out lessons for practice while always making clear the specificity of the historical moment. He pulls vivid quotes and his character sketches of key figures in the movement are masterful.

This is history for history buffs, though, and gets into considerable detail on several decades of struggle in several hundred pages. It may be boring for those who do not have a particular interest in the period.

Note well: the book does not discuss the Civil War and Revolution of 1936-1939-- for a detailed treatment of that struggle, Bookchin recommends Bolloten's massive "The Spanish Civil War" and for a shorter take, Broué and Temime's The Revolution and the Civil War in Spain". Orwell's classic "Homage to Catalonia" is also a brilliant read, albeit from a semi-Trotskyist point of view.

The other guy said it better than me, but Bookchin's book is one of the few that really get's down deep into the process by which anti-authoritarian ideas and movements get generated and how they achieve, or can achieve, social change. Wonderful both for theory and history.

The first point to mention: One's understanding of what happened in Spain is almost certainly indicated by the answer to one question. Was this the Spanish Civil War or the Spanish Revolution? The essence of Bookchin's book (and it is not original to him) is that there was a revolution within the Civil War. While there is considerable recognition of the Civil War, there is much less discussion and consideration of the revolution within that civil war.

One immediate problem in understanding the dynamics in Spain is the crazy quilt set of actors. Key groups run the gamut from Fascists (Francisco Franco as a leader) to monarchists to liberals/moderates to Marxists (Trotskyites, represented by the organization POUM, versus Stalinists, organized as the UGT [with members called Ugetistas]) and anarchists (syndicalists, members of the union CNT, whose members were called Cenetistas, and straight out anarchists, members in the organization FAI, with individual members referred to as Faistas). Yikes! One needs a scorecard to keep them straight!

This book does not focus on the Civil War and Revolution so much as on the background to those events. Bookchin goes back to the anarchist Mikhail Bakunin's influence on Spanish radicals. Much of this book is the run up to the Civil War and the revolution embedded within that Civil War--the Republic versus the Fascists represented the Civil War. The anarchists trying to implement libertarian societies was the revolution.

Topically, the book begins with the origins of the idea of anarchism in Spain. Bakunin was a critical figure here, a Russian aristocrat who, oddly enough, adopted the anarchist perspective. An emissary who did not speak Spanish brought Bakunin's ideas to Spain; given the linguistic obstacles, it is surprising indeed to see that he had an impact on the development of a Spanish anarchist movement.

The book then describes the development of that movement in Spain over the past quarter century of the 1800s and the early 1900s as well. In short, anarchism did develop something of a foothold in Spain. Unfortunately, some of the advocated if this view engaged in "propaganda of the deed," terrorism, to try to advance the cause. In the process, much damage was done to that very movement.

Bookchin then described the twin developments--support for anarcho-syndicalism (a perspective that argued that workers' organizations ought to structure the productive process and be the basis for organizing society) and the CNT (a union that supported syndicalism). The essence of the latter can be discerned by this quotation from Bookchin (page 162): "Obedience to the wishes of the membership was a cardinal rule. At the annual congresses, for example, many delegations arrived with mandatory instructions on how to vote on each major issue to be considered. If an action was decided upon, none of the delegations which disagreed with it or felt it was beyond the capacity of its membership was obliged to abide by the decision."

The instability of government in the 1920s and 1930s is then discussed, as a lead up to the outbreak of the Civil War/Revolution. Bookchin concludes by observing that (page 302): "We must leave the details of that revolution--its astonishing achievements and its tragic subversion--to another volume."
Obviously, Bookchin has an ideological perspective on the events in Spain over the period of time that his book covers. And that must be taken into account when reading this work. Nonetheless, overall, his scholarship is solid, and much of what he contends is found in other volumes as well (hence, triangulation occurs to some extent). For those wanting to understand the Spanish Civil War from a perspective not normally presented, this book makes a solid contribution.

"Can anarchy work" or "Is anarchy a mere utopia" are questions asked frequently by people who are not informed about the ideology and philosophy of anarchy but, most importantly, the history of anarchy.
Since you arent going to be taught any of all this in school the burden falls on your shoulders to discover it (amongst most other meaningful things that you will not be told about).
Murray Bookchin, is a great historian, and does an awesome job of documenting the most recent and most convincing attempt at anarchy in pre-war Spain.
Bookchin descibes a movement that found roots in the "lumpen proletariat", that part of the working class with almost zero education that marxists looked upon with contempt considering them incapable of ever starting a revolution.
Yet, exactly that part of the working class was the one that through appaling living and social conditions embraced the concept of anarchy, namely, no masters, equality, work as creation and not braindead toil, education that promotes free thinking and not unquestioned swallowing of dogma and above all liberty.
This is a fascinating story, perhaps overly fascinating compared with modern times where most the people take social conditions as self-understood. A movement, that, through a massive network of action that ranged from strikes against brutally oppressing regimes that inevitably and repeatedly resulted in massive bloodbaths, direct action, informing people about their present future and past while actually opening up to them a whole new world of possibilities that would drive them out of their every day misery and into a new situation where through thriving freedom the society would transform.
Bookchin introduces the readers (as he had to) to some of anarchy leading theoriticians (and practicians) such as Bakoonin and their influence on the Spanish anarchists while he goes into exhaustive detail highlighting internal conflicts concerning differing anarchistic tendencies as well as the ones against socialists (who more than often proved to be disguised conservatives) and of course against the establishment itself and its organs of suppresion.
It's a back n' forth story he tells as well, as the struggle of the spanish anarchists to establish themselves at the front for social change ("not tomorrow, now!" said the pickets at the massive protests and demos) was often sunk in blood, often thrown back by mass executions, often took a step backwards because the need for biological survival took a priority or simply because disapointment would momentarily settle in before a new spark would "detonate" the movement again.

The history of the spanish anarchists is remarkable in more ways than initially obvious. In a very intense sense it proves that the philosophy of anarchy doesnt demand from anyone to be well educated in order to comprehend it. "Absolute" freedom is not a complex concept and everything that derives from it is equally simple. It doesnt recquire reading bulky volumes of economic politics that lead nowhere nor trying to improve a system within which has already failed from the get-go (capitalism). It demands the "impossible" but simoultaneously the natural.
While Bookchin writes in a rather heavy style that wont easily grab you, he's an incredible historian who leaves no stone unturned in his effort-mission to explain thoroughly a historical event. That is my only objection to this book.

Other than that, this is more than recquired reading for anyone interested in anarchism (here, its history )or in examining political philosophies in general.It would help if you started from Emma Goldman's "Essays on anarchy" before this if your knowledge of this philosophy is somewhat superficial.

Dragons from the Sea is an excellent sequel to Viking Warrior. Halfdan begins to fulfil his quest against Toke by joining the raids against the Franks. There are several new characters introduced and they are drawn very well. Halfdan really begins to develop as a character, and the book works on the historical front as well, giving us good insight into the medieval world.

Halfdan made a blood-oath to the god of war and revenge that he would slay all those who murdered (and or helped in the murder of) his brother, Harald, and his housecarls. But to do that he must become a viking and earn his wealth and respect and gain allies in high places if Halfdan wants to reveal Toke (the man who gave the order to kill all of the innocents) for the fraud he really is. Throughout the whole story Toke sends spies to infiltrate The Gull, the ship where Halfdan now lives. Once Halfdan proves himself to the ship's captain, Jarl Hestein Halfdan thinks he will be safe. But Halfdan soon discovers the Gull will embark on a quest to crush the Franks, their biggest opposing enemy. Will Halfdan survive the war? Or will he die in vain? Find out in the second book in the Strongbow series.

This book contains scenes of violence and gore. I recommend it to all those who enjoy a twisted plot and adventure.

The sequel to Viking Warrior, Book One in the Strongbow Saga, Dragons from the Sea pick right up from where the first book left off. Once a slave, Halfdan sets out for Frankia, seeking fortune and vengeance. His skills with the longbow ensure that he is taken on a ship, despite the crew's misgivings. He makes enemies and friends and proves once again his intelligence and skill, building up to yet another abrupt ending that will leave readers gasping in anticipation.

Living up to it's predecessor, Dragons from the Sea is lively and sharp. You'll have to pay close attention to this gripping peek at life during the Viking era. Steeped with many historical facts told in a highly entertaining way that never grows dull, Robert's latest will keep you enraptured til the very end.

The sequel, The Road to Vengeance, will be available from HarperCollins June 17, 2008, so be on the lookout! I can barely stand the wait!

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The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea
by Judson Roberts
Historical Fiction *****
This story is about a young man named Halfdan. He has a large past that is very painful for him. When he just turned 15, He and his half brother set off to show him his new inheritance, his own little bit of land. But only at the first night of being there, Toke, his half brother turns up wanting revenge for inheriting nothing. Toke is a berserk (someone who is crazy about killing) very mean and evil. Late at night he attacked the land and killed the innocent people of it while promising their safe exit, he wanted no one to tell of his treachery. Halfdan managed to get away with the sacrifice of his brother while making a path to let him escape. They needed someone to escape, so he could avenge them all. Now he is looking for a ship to serve in a port called Hedeby. He finds a Jarl who he impresses with his bow skills. The Jarl normally doesn't just anyone join his crew of vikings but he believes that the norns (the gods that weave everybody's life line)have sent the boy as a sign to him. Halfdan joins the crew that soon after leaves to the call of the king of the Danes. The king declares that they shall all go to war against the Franks, who had done the same thing to them many centuries ago. So with little experience at all Halfdan ventures to war.
This book sort of relates to this book that I read called Hatchet. It was a story about a boy who was 13 and he got lost in the wilderness with only his hatchet, and his will to live. It is actually a very powerful story because this boy is just doing well when all the sudden, something terrible happens to him and his new way of life, he had to start all over, just like Halfdan. So i guess they are sort of similar.
The author is a very talented writer for all I'm concerned. He really knows how to describe something without boring me to sleep. I loved his first strongbow saga book as well. He really brings the words alive and paint pictures in my mind. He is also very good at leaving you hanging at the end of the first and second of these books. Almost everyday for about a month I would ask my mom if this book had arrived in the mail. So about two days ago it actually did come, I've been reading 24/7 since then. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! ******************************** !!!!!!KOOB SITH EVOL
*****

This book is filled with suspense. I was exhausted by the end of it! I look forward to the next book. LONG LIVE HALFDAN!!