Book description
The Basque History of the World
is the illuminating story of an ancient and enigmatic people. Signs of
their civilization existed well before the arrival of the Romans in 218
B. C., and though theories abound, no one has ever been able to
determine their origins. Their ancient tongue, Euskera, is equally
mysterious: It is the oldest living European language, and is related to
no other language on Earth.
Yet despite their obscure origins and small numbers (2. 4 million people
today), the Basques have had a profound impact on Europe and the world
for more than 2,000 years. Never seeking more land, they have
nonetheless fiercely defended their own against invaders ranging from
the Celts and Visigoths to Napoleon and Franco. They have always been a
paradoxical blend of inbred tradition and worldly ambition, preserving
their indigenous legal code, cuisine, literature-even their own hat and
shoe-while at the same time striving immodestly to be leaders in the
world. They were pioneers of commercial whaling and cod fishing, were
among the first Europeans in the Americas, Africa, and Asia during the
age of exploration, and were prosperous capitalists when capitalism was
a new idea, later leading the Industrial Revolution in southern Europe.
Their influence has been felt in every realm, from religion (the
charismatic Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuits in 1534) to sports and
commerce. Today, even while clinging to their ancient tribal identity,
they are ready for a borderless world: The unique Basque concept of
nationhood has never been more relevant, at a time when Basques are
enjoying what may be the most important cultural renaissance in their
long existence.
Mark Kurlansky's passion for the Basque people- their heroes and
commoners alike-and his exuberant eye for detail shine throughout The
Basque History of the World
. Like his celebrated book Cod
, it blends human stories with economic, political,
The Basque History of the World is the illuminating story of
an ancient and enigmatic people. Signs of their civilization existed
well before the arrival of the Romans in 218 B. C., and though
theories abound, no one has ever been able to determine their
origins. Their ancient tongue, Euskera, is equally mysterious: It is
the oldest living European language, and is related to no other
language on Earth.
Yet despite their obscure origins and small numbers (2. 4 million
people today), the Basques have had a profound impact on Europe and
the world for more than 2,000 years. Never seeking more land, they
have nonetheless fiercely defended their own against invaders
ranging from the Celts and Visigoths to Napoleon and Franco. They
have always been a paradoxical blend of inbred tradition and worldly
ambition, preserving their indigenous legal code, cuisine,
literature-even their own hat and shoe-while at the same time
striving immodestly to be leaders in the world. They were pioneers
of commercial whaling and cod fishing, were among the first
Europeans in the Americas, Africa, and Asia during the age of
exploration, and were prosperous capitalists when capitalism was a
new idea, later leading the Industrial Revolution in southern
Europe. Their influence has been felt in every realm, from religion
(the charismatic Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuits in 1534) to
sports and commerce. Today, even while clinging to their ancient
tribal identity, they are ready for a borderless world: The unique
Basque concept of nationhood has never been more relevant, at a time
when Basques are enjoying what may be the most important cultural
renaissance in their long existence.
Mark Kurlansky's passion for the Basque people- their heroes
and commoners alike-and his exuberant eye for detail shine
throughout The Basque History of the World. Like his
celebrated book Cod, it blends human stories with economic,
political,
he'll often use Basque recipes as a means of
transition. Since this does a first-rate job explaining relations
among modern Basques, Spaniards, and Europeans, the work is an
important source.
Mark Kurlansky began his career as a foreign
correspondent writing about the last years of Francoism in Spain,
especially in the Basque provinces, and he has returned there
annually for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of Cod:
A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World, which won the
James Beard Award for Excellence in Food Writing, and also of A
Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny, and
A Chosen Few: The Resurrection of European Jewry. He lives
in New York City.
