Spain Reading List

Don Quixote - Miguel Cervantes. Published in the same time as the King James Bible and Shakespeare’s plays, Cervantes novel is one of the most translated works of all literature. It is a whimsical adventure that champions the individual. It is a tragi-comedy born out of Spain’s search for meaning.

Spain: The Center of the World 1519 - 1682 - Robert Goodwin. This books captures the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire. You will meet the players and makers of the Golden years when Spain’s reach circled the globe and ruled the globe.

Iberia - James Michener. All of Michener’s books are long. All of them are worth reading. Spain was for the author his second home. He gives a personal and colorful account of the people and their passions. You can feel the dust on his shoes and the wine on his lips.

The Food of Spain- Claudia Roden. This is a wonderful way to begin to ‘taste and see’ the wonders of Spain. This cook book is one of my favorites. She begins with interesting essays on the Historical Influences and The Regions which flavor the country. It also contains lavish photographs of dishes and locations. It is personal and approachable for cooking.

Tales of the Alhambra - Washington Irving. This charming collection of stories used to be a best seller in the United States. Better know as the author of “Rip Van Winkle” and other short stories, Irving was also an American Diplomat who wrote extensively on Spain in the 1830’s. This book captures the charm and mystery of the architectural marvel that is the Alhambra.

For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway. This is an excellent way to enter into the Spanish Civil War. Even today the topic is rife with conflict and debated. Hemingway powerfully conveys the pathos of this national struggle through his gritty characters based on his own involvement in the War in the 1930’s.

Everything is Happening - Michael Jacobs. This is an engaging introduction to one of the world’s most famous paintings; Las Meninas, by Diego Velasquez. It hangs in the Prado Museum in Madrid, and has cast a spell on viewers for the past 400 years. We will view it in all its glory and mystery while in Spain.

1. The Saracen Storm - J M Nunez. A lively novel about the clash of Iberian/Christian and Moorish/Moslem forces. The author superbly develops the characters and the setting. Although the action takes place in early 700’s Spain, it is hard to put down. A good airplane read.

Why Spain Matters - Jason Webster. This book just came out in 2021 and I loved the way it begins, “Spain is a Casandra.”