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The bottom line is that if you are planning a trip to the region, this book would probably be helpful and informative. There is far less about events on the French side of the border, which I think would have strengthened the book, if only to contrast how the rural Basque culture thrived in both countries.
I learned a lot about a culture and region I previously knew nothing about, so that is to Kurlansky's credit. I will say I would feel more comfortable about my knowledge of the Basques if this book had footnotes instead of a general bibliography.
This small book gives readers an introduction and overview of the Basque culture and examines how the group has survived for centuries in a region that straddles the border between northern Spain and France. The book is at its strongest in detailing Basque resistance to General Franco's four decade rule in Spain.
Much of what he writes about the Basques, to whom he is clearly sympathetic, is likely true, but I have no way of confirming it. This is not really a serious work of history.
Personally, not being much of a cook, I found the recipes that are scattered throughout the book to be mere distractions, but I could see how a reader with a more culinary orientation would enjoy those parts of the book.
For anyone interested in ethnographies, this book is quite a find. The author has expertly laid out the socio-economic history of this group as it relates to the development of civilization within the entire region.The Basque story is a facinating one, especially as presented by this author. Far from a dry and antiseptic Anthropology primer, this book is as much a page turner as any popular novel today. Highly recommended.
Yes, it's an interesting book about an interesting subject but it does seem to go on some tangents. The inclusion of recipes (like I can find baby eels in Fayetteville) gets to be a little annoying at times. A great work to get familiar with this unique people but it's heavily colored by the author's thesis about Basques in the EU. It might be good to supplement it with a more conventional book on Basque folkways and culture.
kurlansky does a wonderful job telling the history and describing the basque culture to readers. after having spent several months in bilbao, the basque culture is something that i learned to love and appreciate. kurlansky captures the essence of this sometimes hard to explain culture.
This is a great book for all those who have heard of the Basques but don't know much about who they really are. It is well written, interesting, and full of great stories that will bring these often forgotten people to life. A must read for anyone interested in European History, or who teaches Social Studies.
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