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Reviews (4)

If you love Barca...
This book provides a great overview of the history of the club, its stars, the machinations of its ruling junta, and the passion of the cules, all against the backdrop of Catalonia's political struggle for identity and independence within Spain. Burns provides some nice historical details and great anecdotes, but, as is to be expected considering the hundred year focus of the book and the complexity of 20th century Spain, necessarily deals with some of the political history in a less comprehensive manner.
Astonished
Reading this book is simple amazing. I bough it because I am a truly FC BARCELONA fan, however this books goes beyond that, it explains very well the relationships between Spanish recent history and soccer, finally I am able to understand the frivolity between this winner team and others, more related to socialand political issues than only sports.
More than a Club
Jimmy Burns writes dispassionately about a football club that evokes the strongest of emotions, including the kind of tribal love that borders on the chauvenistic.Fans of the club interested in modern Spanish history will appreciate the author's intertwining of football and politics.At times, however, this well-researched book feels drained of the game's abundant color and spirit as club presidents receive far more attention than the boot room.Burns presents Barca's story chronologically, offering an absorbing account of the club's creation, but when Franco arrives on the scene, the pages become populated with conniving industrialists.While certainly part of Barca's story, the board room machinations of ambitious suits drown out the passion of the cules.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Soccer    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. SOCCER_HISTORY    6. Soccer (Association football)    7. Spain    8. Sports & Recreation / Soccer   

Reviews (10)

Wow, where to begin
People accept this as history?It is argued that Walsh looks at the facts and presents an unbiased view of history?Are we reading the same book?
Isabella the Magnificent

Beautiful, Remarkable, Prophetic
William Thomas Walsh's "Isabella of Spain" is a masterpiece.Walsh herein relates a story more dramatic and remarkable than fiction and more crucially relevant than today's headlines.The story of Isabella, the great Catholic Queen, is a tale of faithful determination, ingenuity, and the power of Christian love.Walsh relates how Isabella completes the 700 yearstruggle for the reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from Moslem domination with all the drama and style of the greatest of novelists.Here is a story of intrigue and valor, brought to life by the personal revelations of one of history's truly greatest monarchs, male or female.
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Subjects:  1. 1451-1504    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Ferdinand and Isabella, 1479-1516    5. General    6. History    7. Isabella    8. Queen of Spain,    9. Queens    10. Religion - Socialissues    11. Spain    12. Biography: royalty    13. European history: c 500 to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean Area    2. History    3. Spanish Main   

Reviews (2)

Bella Gioconda
Gioconda is another magnificent representative of the Latin American generation of authors that emerged in the seventies and eighties amidst social turmoils. Gioconda's artistry of words and poetry are evident throughout this book. Also the book arrangement, i.e. two threads set at two different time periods of her life, if not innovative fits nicely to convey her passionate, powerfully feminine message. This is perhaps the strongest point in this autobiography: the utmost defense of "las compa�eras" in her struggle for equality and respect.
Ambiguos impression of Belli's politicalstance.......
I've read the book (in its extremely sensitive and emphatic German translation immediately after my wife finished reading it and told me that it was a must for me to read!)Read more

Subjects:  1. 1948-    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Nicaraguan    4. Belli, Gioconda,    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. History    9. Latin America - Central America    10. Nicaragua    11. Nicaraguan authors    12. Political    13. Revolution, 1979    14. Revolutionaries    15. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History / Great Britain    3. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (4)

Superb -- this is all you need!
I used this book and the similar Fisterra book for my pilgrimage in April 2006.They are both superb.I followed Brierley's suggestions pretty much to the letter.The book contains excruciating details as well as a longer and spiritual view.
Excellent guide, colored maps, trail profiles, photos, accomodation guide
This guide follows the format of Brierley's Camino Frances guide: very pleasing to look at: glossy paper, colored photos almost every page, multicolor maps and trail profiles, parts of text set off by shading. It has the information the walker needs, where the alburgues are, how many beds, alternate choices. There is an introductory section with introduction, overview, followed by planning and preparation information. The main body of the guide follows, organized in 11 stages where each stage corresponds to a typical day's travel. Each stage has a map and a trail profile.
a faithful walking companion.
As a frequent Camino walker, I have usedmany guide books. This book on the Portuguese Way from Porto to Santiagois a total "must" for a succesful pilgrimage.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General    2. Europe - Spain & Portugal    3. History    4. History: World    5. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Christian pilgrimage    9. History / Spain & Portugal    10. Spain    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Memories of Spain
Another excellent title in the series of "Style" books by Suzanne Slesin, et al.I purchased this book after my first trip to Spain and it was a wonderful way to remember my visit.This title also brings out the essence of Spain and is comparable to Caribbean Style also by Slesin.If you are looking to decorate in the Spanish Style or want a book to remember Spain, this is the title to have in your library.Of course Caribbean Style set the benchmark for "Style Books" and had not been topped.Spanish Style needs to come back into print.

good books
it a good book for any one loves spanisn style it has a lot of good ideas ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture, Spanish    3. Decorating    4. Decoration and ornament    5. History    6. Interior Design    7. Interior decoration    8. Modern Architecture    9. Spain    10. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

a worthy read, detailed
A very easy-to-read biography, well written and researched - you will not, by any account, be bored reading it. A good introductory idea about Philip, although I'm waiting to read Henry Kamen's work on Philip to compare the two. I any case this book will not be a loss of your time. It's really nice!

Don't bother to read the review, just buy the book !!
For anyone with an interest in Philip II of Spain or the convulsive times Europe was going through in his age, this is an absolute must. The author's mastery of the subject is obvious and his writing is never heavy or boring. The book is superb, simple, clear,discretly erudite. Mr. Williams writes to please and interest the reader, not to impress the world with his knowledge. His book should be compulsory reading for French historians, most of whom are pompous bores. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1527-1598    2. Biography    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. II,    8. King of Spain,    9. Kings and rulers    10. Philip    11. Philip II, 1556-1598    12. Philosophy    13. Royalty    14. Spain    15. Biography: historical    16. Biography: royalty    17. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    18. c 1500 to c 1600   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Commercial Buildings Architecture    3. Commercial Interior Design    4. History - Specific Styles    5. Interior Design - General    6. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    7. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    8. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Subjects:  1. English    2. English Language (General)    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    6. Language    7. Spanish    8. Spanish language    9. Textbooks for foreign speakers    10. Foreign Language Study / Spanish    11. Language teaching & learning material & coursework   

Reviews (5)

A bilingual reader
I was born here in the Unites States from hispanic origins. Since I read, speeak, and write fluently English and Spanish, I read the memories of Huber Matos and some of the critics of this book. I recommend this book; however, I also recommend reading the critics of his comrades involved in the same events at [...]

magnifico libro
Excelente libro y muy bien escrito. Comenc� a leerlo y me lo termin� en 2 dias. Lo recomiendo mucho para conocer esta historia de la mano de su protagonista, algo que la mayoria de los cubanos que nacimos con la revolucion no conociamos. Magnifico.

Intenso relato de alto valor historico
Este relato de la vida de Huber Matos desde el 10 de marzo de 1952 hasta su liberacion de la carcel en 1978, ofrece una vision muy especial de lo que fue la insurgencia en Cuba en la Sierra Maestra, la personalidad de Fidel Castro y la ignominia del presidio politico en la isla, que increiblemente aun perdura.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Cuba    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. Matos, Huber    7. Political    8. Revolution, 1959    9. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Reviews (2)

Hmmmmmm...............
This book is very interesting, contrasting 2 execptional men.It's a very easy book to read, although at times, it's slow.

Readable and interesting.
This book is a very interesting comparative study of two relevant statesmen of the XVII century, Richelieu and Olivares, the former very [bad-]known through the eyes of The Three Musketeers by Hollywood with the cooperation of Alexandre Dumas, the latter ignored by most of the people, as it usually happens with those that lose a war. Apart from being very readable (I bought it on Sun-day and I have finished by Tuesday) and not very long, the contrast between Richelieu and Oli-vares is useful to avoid topics and myths based on the supposedly a-religious and modern per-formance of the French Cardinal versus the obsolete behaviour and ideas of the Count-Duke, or on the national character of France and/or Spain. In the case of Olivares, I have found that this book dedicates more pages to deal with the psychological and/or personal aspects than Elliot's "The Count-Duke of Olivares. The Statesman in an age of decline", who focuses more on poli-tics. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. France    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Political History    7. Reference    8. Western Europe - History    9. European history: c 1500 to c 1750    10. History / Europe / General    11. Olivares, Gaspar de Guzmn    12. Richelieu Armand du Plesses, duc de    13. Richelieu, Armand Jean du Plessis    14. Spain    15. c 1700 to c 1800    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Definitive Study for its Period
This book covers more than just uniforms, it covers all the items carried or worn by the individual soldiers in this disease-ridden war. Congratulations to the author and the illustrator. This is a valuablecompendium, of a size larger than octavo so that the plates are clear, andwell constructed.I have been researching the U.S.arms, uniforms, andaccoutrements of this period for some forty years now. It takes much morethan a slew of pictures and a fewgee whizzy captions to impress me. Thiswork does--not only does it cover the details of the uniforms, it alsocovers the accoutrements and arms of the contending soldiers of bothnations. I can vouch for the accuracy of the U.S. portion of the book. Thedetail shown herein on the Spanish forces, as far as I know, has not beenreadily available in English at all. Though I have not pursued detailedresearch on Spanish arms, clothing, and accoutrements, I have kept my eyesout for published materials, and I have not seen it. As much of thenon-metallic materiel of this period was subject to hard usage in thefield, and because the U.S. soldiers' clothing and equipments were burnedfor sanitary purposes upon the troops' return home, the cloth and leatherof this period that actually saw service in campaign is extremely rare.What is now available is mostly web belts sold off as surplus and firearmsand edged weapons the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Army    3. Ejâercito    4. Equipment and supplies    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - Other    9. Military - Uniforms    10. Military - United States    11. Military History - Modern    12. Military Uniforms    13. Spain.    14. Spanish-American War, 1898    15. Uniforms    16. United States    17. United States - 19th Century    18. United States - 19th Century/Turn of the Century    19. United States.    20. History / Modern / 19th Century    21. Spain    22. USA    23. Uniforms & insignia    24. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (12)

The Benchmark Has Been Set
"A Day in the Life of Fiesta" is another way to think of Mouton's account of the sometimes-overwhelming sensory experience of the Fiesta of San Fermin, a.k.a. the Running of the Bulls. The author's descriptive and literary talents allow one to vicariously experience both a day and the entire week of the infamous fiesta. It is perhaps clich� to say that Mouton has hit a home run or a bull's-eye with this book, but it is also highly accurate. I've attended fiesta many times over the past two decades and can confidently say that Mouton has brought this world-renowned fiesta to life with words - and as any veteran fiesta-goer will tell you, this is no easy accomplishment. Pamplona: Hemingway would be proud of this book!!!
There are many stories about Pamplona, The True Gen
As anyone who has ever seriously experienced the fiesta of San Fermin can attest, Hemingway is not exactly the comprehensive guide you may have hoped for. Nor is Michener. Trying to describe the total gamut of the fiesta experience tends to reduce people to frustrated short hand cliches - "world's largest non stop party etc etc". Pamplona contains so many intertwining and contrasting elements that the not so simple attempt of trying to convey it in words becomes rather like the blind committee vainly struggling to get a collective notion of the elephant. One touches and describes the trunk. One checks out the ears... You get the idea. (Or, more precisely, you don't).Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. History / General    5. Spain    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Essays    4. European    5. History - General    6. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    7. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900    8. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -    9. Spain   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Europe - Spain & Portugal    5. European    6. France    7. History    8. History - General    9. History - Surrealism & Dadaism    10. Political aspects    11. Spain    12. Surrealism    13. Art / General    14. Surrealism & Dada   

Reviews (4)

Our mysterious ancestors
This beautiful book explores the cave of Altamira in Spain, called "The Sistine Chapel of Quaternary Art" for the splendour of its drawings, engravings and paintings. The cave was first occupied 18 450 years ago and its early history ended about 13 000 years ago when the entrance vault collapsed. It was discovered again in 1879. Beautiful photographs, interesting essays about an old cave.
THE CAVE OF ALTAMIRA, edited by Antonio Beltran, tells the story of the famous paintings found in a cave in Spain in 1879. The book indicates the Altamira paintings date from the Solutrean period of the Paleolithic. Recent radiocarbon dating shows art in the Polychrome Chamber to be between 18,000 and 19,000 years old, placing it around 16,500 B.C. Pedro Saura Ramos, the photographer has a distinguished reputation. A number of prominent art historians have contributed interesting essays. Stunning Photos and Essays of Great Prehistoric Cave Art
Prior to Darwin, there was relatively little interest in prehistoric art.Then the theory of evolution and the discovery of many wonderful caves jammed with art, almost like museums, conspired to change all of that. Altamira's art dates back around 15,500 years (due to radioactive datingtechniques), but it originally drew little attention because it was toowonderful to be real.The psychology of disbelief stall led all but a fewscholars to dismiss this gem.It took almost 20 years for its authenticityto be established, and subsequent evidence has only strengthened itsclaims.Many people feel that Altamira is the most wonderful collection ofprehistoric art in existence.The other famous cave is Lescaux in France. In between these caves geographically, many other caves with drawings havebeen found.Read more

Subjects:  1. Altamira Cave (Spain)    2. Ancient Art    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Cantabria    6. Cave paintings    7. European    8. History - Prehistoric & Primitive    9. Paleolithic period    10. Spain    11. Stone Age    12. Art of indigenous peoples    13. History of art: pre-history    14. Social Science / Archaeology   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Architecture, Spanish colonial    5. California, Southern    6. Ethnic Studies - General    7. General    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History - U.S.    11. History: World    12. United States - 19th Century/Old West    13. United States - State & Local - General    14. American history: from c 1900 -    15. California    16. History / General    17. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Cordoba (Spain)    3. Câordoba (Spain)    4. Description and travel    5. Europe - Spain & Portugal    6. Granada (Spain)    7. Seville (Spain)    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. History, World | European | Spain    11. Travel / Europe / Spain & Portugal