Death and Money in the Afternoon: A History of the Spanish Bullfight (Hardcover)

by Adrian Shubert (Author)
Key Phrases: plaza mayor, hospital commission, César Jalón, Francisco Montes, Council of Castile, San Sebastián (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
In our modern world, leisuretime activities are extremely common and very plentiful, but this was not always the case. Shubert's well-researched history of bullfights throughout the centuries reveals the Don King^-like promotion of the bullring even during the eighteenth century; the star treatment given to the matadors, earlier versions of today's high-priced athletes; and the selling of other products (concessions) that went along with promoting the bullfight. Shubert explores the history of the sport as we know it today. Star matadors are featured, most notably twentieth-century legend Manuel Rodriguez Manolete, and an entire chapter is devoted to female bullfighters. Spanish history cannot help but be tied up with bullfighting, especially in terms of economic and social aspects of Spanish culture. For those interested in bullfighting, Shubert's work is incredibly thorough, and his prose, though occasionally dry, is glib enough to keep even the most casual observer engrossed. Joe Collins

Review
Shubert's book reads like a novel; it is fascinating and informative....This one volume will delight people interested either in Spanish culture, bullfighting, or the social history of the commercialization of leisure. -- Salvador A Oropesa, News and Observer, Raleigh, July 18, 1999

Shubert...has written extensively about Spain, and his knowledge of that nation shines....With textbook precision, he reveals how the corrida shaped Spain's culture and provided the blueprint for the modern sporting industry. -- Renee Graham, Boston Globe, July 1999

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; illustrated edition edition (June 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195095243
• ISBN-13: 978-0195095241
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #393,269 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Factual and Incredibly Dry, June 7, 2000

By A Customer

In a clearly acedemic work the authors imparts a wealth of information about business of bullfighting in the 18th and 19th century. The different factions within the business of bullfighting, matadors, their assistants, promotors, bull breeders, the press, and the crowds are all examined in fine detail. Unfortunately, this interesting information is delivered as simply one fact after another with little consideration for creating an engaging narrative. By the end of the book you'll know a great deal about the history of the business of bullfighting but it'll be up to you to put the facts together the get more complete picture.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impartiality at Last!, March 31, 2000

By	Diego Izurieta "pitamoncha" (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Adrian Shubert presents a historical view of the bullfights that is neither pro or con, which is very rare today. The origins, although unclear to everyone, are presented in an unbiased form. Having attended over fifty bullfights in my 34 years of life, I found it very refreshing to learn the importance of the bullfight, not only in the romantic and cultural sense, but from historical and buisiness facts. This was definately worth the money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Historical Guide to Bullfighting, March 12, 2002

By	"tauromaja" (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

I am doing my thesis on bullfighting and find Schubert's investigation interesting and helpful. It may not be the most interesting topic in the world to people who aren't crazy about bullfighting but I feel that this would open doors to allow people to see the other side of bullfighting, instead of seeing it for the death that everyone thinks that it's about.