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The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation
Penguin Books
ISBN13:
9780140298512
$18.00
$17.00
From Mark Kurlansky, the bestselling author of Cod, Salt, Birdseye, and Paperthe illuminating story of an ancient and enigmatic people Straddling a small corner of Spain and France in a land that is marked on no maps except their own, the Basques are a puzzling contradictionthey are Europe's oldest nation without ever having been a country. No one has ever been able to determine their origins, and even the Basques' language, Euskerathe most ancient in Europeis related to none other on earth. For centuries, their influence has been felt in nearly every realm, from religion to sports to commerce. Even today, the Basques are enjoying what may be the most important cultural renaissance in their long existence, as displayed by new cookbooks like chefs Alexandra Raij and Eder Montero's The Basque Book and restaurateur Jose Pizarros Basque. Mark Kurlansky's passion for the Basque people and his exuberant eye for detail shine throughout this fascinating book. Like Cod, The Basque History of the World, blends human stories with economic, political, literary, and culinary history into a rich and heroic tale. Among the Basques' greatest accomplishments: Explorationthe first man to circumnavigate the globe, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, was a Basque and the Basques were the second Europeans, after the Vikings, in North America Gastronomy and agriculturethey were the first Europeans to eat corn and chili peppers and cultivate tobacco, and were among the first to use chocolate ReligionIgnatius Loyola, a Basque, founded the Jesuit religious order Business and politicsthey introduced capitalism and modern commercial banking to southern Europe Recreationthey invented beach resorts, jai alai, and racing regattas, and were the first Europeans to play sports with balls A delectable portrait of an uncanny, indomitable nation. Newsday Exciting, Illuminating, and thought provoking. The Boston Globe Entertaining and instructive
[Kurlanskys] approach is unorthodox, mixing history with anecdotes, poems with recipes. The New York Times Book Review
- | Author: Mark Kurlansky
- | Publisher: Penguin Books
- | Publication Date: February 01, 2001
- | Number of Pages: 400 pages
- | Language: English
- | Binding: Paperback
- | ISBN-10: 0140298517
- | ISBN-13: 9780140298512
- Author:
- Mark Kurlansky
- Publisher:
- Penguin Books
- Publication Date:
- February 01, 2001
- Number of pages:
- 400 pages
- Language:
- English
- Binding:
- Paperback
- ISBN-10:
- 0140298517
- ISBN-13:
- 9780140298512