Sweet Promised Land (Basque) [Paperback]

Robert Laxalt (Author), George Carlson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Basque | Publication Date: October 1988

Dominique Laxalt came to the United States early in this century and settled in Nevada where he worked nearly all his life as a shepherd. He married; Paul Laxalt, the senator, and Robert, a journalist, are his sons.

In his old age, and for his first and only visit, he returned to his boyhood home in the Pyrenees. His son, Robert, accompanied him, and this is the story of their trip.

"A beautiful story. The dignified father of the Laxalt clan is an unforgettable figure." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An American story in the best tradition." -- San Francisco Chronicle

"One of the most distinguished books of the year and one no Western reader should miss reading cover to cover." -- Los Angeles Times

"This book deserves universal regard as a classic of Americana." -- New York Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

5 1-hour cassettes --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: University of Nevada Press; New edition edition (October 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874171377
• ISBN-13: 978-0874171372
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short but sweet, May 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Promised Land (Basque) (Paperback)

Wonderful look at a Basque sheepherder's life in Nevada and his return to the family homeland after nearly 50 years away. Laxalt doesn't pile on the sentiment but makes this a clear-eyed, sharp look at a life that is unimaginable today, and sadly so.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Basque man's struggles in America, January 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Promised Land (Basque) (Paperback)

A wonderful book about a Basque mans life in America. His struggles, hardships and sucesses are amazing in an America that no longer exists. Inspiring and emotional.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, October 8, 2004

By 

TahoeKay "Kay" (South Lake Tahoe, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sweet Promised Land (Basque) (Paperback)

This book, the story of a Basque immigrant seen through the eyes of his journalist and politician sons, would have been compelling reading when it was first penned in 1957.

What makes it even more interesting fifty-five years later is the combination of the universal (the immigrant experience) with specific, the Basque sheepherder who came to Nevada in the early twentieth century and returned to his homeland for a visit mid-century. The world described here, at least in Nevada and I suspect, the Basque part of France, is rapidly fading.

A luminous tribute to a father.