Travelers' Tales: Spain (.) (Paperback)

by Lucy McCauley (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This is the sixth in the "Traveler's Tales" series, whose unifying theme is the presentation of the character of a country by a compilation of nonfiction essays. For Spain, we have selections on, among other things, bullfighting, food, tourism, Don Quixote, flamenco, and King Juan Carlos by unknown as well as familiar authors. The editors' stated goal is to give insight into Spain through anecdote rather than information. The book is for the reader who has already been to Spain as well as the new visitor. Each selection has interesting sidebars from other authors. Some illustrations are included, and a map of the country will be printed in the published version. Very well organized and selected, this is highly recommended for travel collections.
Mary Ann Parker, Dept. of Water Resources Law Lib., Sacramento, Cal.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Spain is an enigma, not one but many lands, with a history of conquest and re-conquest that still resonates throughout the country, a place where Catholic cathedrals tower beside Moorish minarets. This anthology includes musings on all aspects of this diverse country by such noted authors as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Calvin Trillin, Colm Toibin, and Barbara Kingsolver.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Travelers' Tales Inc (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885211074
• ISBN-13: 978-1885211071
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,180,748 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than a visit, February 12, 2000

By	Randy P. Kendrick (Paradise Valley, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

Having lived in Spain many years ago and visited several times since, I found this book to be the best thing anyone can read about the country without reading all of Iberia, Hemingway, etc. More important than a guide book, this is a guide to the soul of the country.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book, it was a great read!, August 24, 2001

By	Rosella Ann Myles (Wheeling, West Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this book. You learn a lot about Spain, and it's people from it. It's a great read! makes you want to visit Spain.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars should have been better, February 10, 2001

By	Stephen McHenry (Olney, MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The book consists of 47 essays by different authors, each essay an average of 9 pages long, where the author gives their anecdotal story or insight. And then there is another 20 pages at the end of the "what to know when you travel there" stuff.

It is a great idea for a book, and a you should read it if going to Spain, but I just wish they had used better authors. Nothing from Hemingway, Washington Irving, nothing from the Spaniards themselves like Cervantes and Lorca. The writing seems too modern, not deep, nor funny, nor penetrating enough: Not up to the task at hand. Although the writing is OK, there must be better insights written than these. This could have been a better book, considering the subject is Spain, it could have been a much much better book.