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Book Synopsis:
"A lively, anecdotal, all-encompassing history of Basque ingenuity and achievement." —Atlantic Monthly
From Mark Kurlansky, the bestselling author of Cod, Salt, Birdseye, and Paper—the 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 contradiction—they 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, Euskera—the most ancient in Europe—is 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 Pizarro’s 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:
- Exploration—the 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 agriculture—they were the first Europeans to eat corn and chili peppers and cultivate tobacco, and were among the first to use chocolate
- Religion—Ignatius Loyola, a Basque, founded the Jesuit religious order
- Business and politics—they introduced capitalism and modern commercial banking to southern Europe
- Recreation—they invented beach resorts, jai alai, and racing regattas, and were the first Europeans to play sports with balls
"Entertaining and instructive… [Kurlansky’s] approach is unorthodox, mixing history with anecdotes, poems with recipes.” –The New York Times Book Review
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Are you ready to immerse yourself in the captivating history of the Basque people? Look no further than "The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation" by Mark Kurlansky. This best-selling book takes you on a journey through the centuries, exploring the ingenuity and achievements of the Basques.
Discover the enigmatic nature of the Basques, who have managed to maintain their identity as Europe's oldest nation despite never having been a country. Their origins remain a mystery, and their language, Euskera, is unlike any other on Earth. But their influence has been felt far and wide, from religion to sports to commerce.
Today, the Basques are experiencing a cultural renaissance, and this book captures the essence of their revival. Get a taste of their rich culinary traditions with renowned chefs Alexandra Raij and Eder Montero's "The Basque Book" or indulge in the flavors of Basque cuisine at restaurateur Jose Pizarro's Basque restaurant.
Join Mark Kurlansky as he delves into the Basque's fascinating history, seamlessly blending human stories with economic, political, literary, and culinary narratives. Just like his previous works, such as "Cod" and "Salt," "The Basque History of the World" is a literary masterpiece that leaves no stone unturned.
The Basques' achievements are truly remarkable. From being pioneers in exploration, with Juan Sebastian de Elcano circumnavigating the globe, to introducing new foods like corn, chili peppers, and chocolate to Europe, the Basques have left an indelible mark on history. They even played a role in founding the Jesuit religious order and revolutionized business and politics in southern Europe.
Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of a people who have shaped the world in more ways than you can imagine. Experience the thrill of their inventions, from beach resorts to jai alai, and witness their impact on the sporting world. Don't miss out on this entertaining and instructive book that The New York Times Book Review hails as "unorthodox" and "mixing history with anecdotes, poems with recipes."
Get your copy of "The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation" and embark on an unforgettable journey through the centuries. Click here to purchase now.
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