Barcelona

Because we were scheduled to visit Barcelona, a friend told me about this book and I ordered it. I’m a lover of history and also my favorite book of all time is Pillars of the Earth, so this book spoke to me. It had so much history, along with a wonderful story which spanned a lifetime and more. All of the background info was researched well and made the book so much more exciting.While visiting, we were able to see some of the sites talked about in the book and that made it so much more fun.Whether or not you visit Barcelona, it’s a riveting story and an interesting book.

This book is effectively a 540-page Encyclopedia Britannica article -- lots of facts dryly presented. I read it after spending 7 days seeing what I thought were the worthwhile sights in Barcelona, and soon had a list of things I missed good for another 7 days. I recommend it to anyone planning a visit to Barcelona, since I am not aware of any other source of information about the city that is as comprehensive.Hughes does a fine job of describing the architectural history of the city, particularly the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) period, but wastes far too much time on Catalan music, literature and art, which even he admits are mediocre. You will do yourself a favor by skimming those chapters.Note that this book was written in 1993, after the city had been spruced up for the 1992 Olympics but still 11 years ago. It is an even better city today, with nice people, excellent and reasonably priced food, and plenty of things to see and do. The comparison that comes to mind is "Tuscany 25 years ago."Apparently taking to heart some of the criticism of this book, Hughes wrote a revised version, "Barcelona the Great Enchantress" [ISBN: 079226794X] in 2003, a far more enjoyable read that reflects significantly better editing. Given a choice, I would read it first and only then buy "Barcelona" if I was interested in more detail.There is an excellent VHS tape of Barcelona [ASIN: 6303209777] that combines both ground and aerial footage. Well worth purchasing.Additional recommended reading: George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia"

Robert Hughes wrote two books on Barcelona. This is the first and the one that every traveler should read both before and after visiting the city. His style is classy and engaging -- elegant fun to read because he mixes the authoritative and the anecdotal in presenting history, descriptions and judgments of art and architecture, and the vivid personalities involved in Barcelona's past. I finished it on the Kindle and was so enthusiastic that I bought the paperback to take on a second trip to Spain where it proved to be a not-to-be missed companion.

I have enjoyed Hughes writing over the years, particularly his art criticism (he has wrote a fabulous history of the foundation of Australia, The Fatal Shore) and I enjoyed this combination history and commentary on Catalan art enormously. The writing deserves better than a three star rating but the Vintage paperback edition I read is poor quality, particularly the black and white photos which are almost unintelligible they are printed so badly. Thus, I am glad I read this (having done so in preparation for a cruise in the Med we are taking later this year, starting with 3 days in Barcelona), I can only give it an average review.

Hughes is opinionated and witty, qualities that make this thoughtful and informative book a magnificent read. So many parts are funny. There are many great cities around the world that would have liked to have had a book written about them as masterful as this one.

For instance:You could see traces of that ancient, tattered dandyism in Barcelona twenty-five years ago. Today, none remains. It lived at all levels. The Catalan gypsies of the Parallel had it in abundance. Corbero swears that he owes his conception of the dignity of his metier as an artist to three gypsy friends back in the early 1960s, old-cloths sellers who went under the nicknames of Puca (Flea), Flanel (Flannel), and Plastic. They were brilliant salesmen. They sold the worst, the rattiest clothes as though they were the newest English tweeds from Bel on Passieg de Gracia. They were so good that the artist, amazed, suggested that they go upscale. Why not put some of the take back into buying better merchandise, things that -- compared with the course rubbish they now sold with such virtuoso effect -- would walk out of the cart? Flea, Flannel and Plastic listened to the suggestion gravely and with scorn. "You may be right about the pesetas," concluded Flannel, dismissively. "But what about art?"

Since my husband and I are going to Barcelona next year, I wanted to learn something about it. This book covers just about everything I wanted to know and so much more. Robert Hughes is interesting, sometimes riveting, and clearly knowledgeable about his subject. Though I often found myself skimming through some of the many historical details with umpteen names of notable Catalans and events, I feel satisfied that I can appreciate traveling to Barcelona more because I read it. I learned of the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona and their distinct differences. I learned why many Catalans have pushed for an independent Catalunya. I recommend it to those who love history and appreciate documented works.

Excelente escritor! Que libro tan completo sobre la historia de Barcelona. Aprendí muchísimo.

Very good book/ very good service.

This book was in excellent condition and arrived on time as expected, or unexpected as it was intended as a gift for a friend who was unaware I'd ordered it. I have my own copy and was telling him about it after he arrived home from the city. I told him it was too good to lend out but he must read it nonetheless, and hence I made this purchase. It duly arrived at his place of work and brought a smile to his face, and through time will bring the full knowledge of this city, the people and events which have shaped it, the artists and artisans, the parks, places and politics. This is an exhaustive history of the city written in the run up to the XXV Olympiad of 1992. Get yourself a copy.

Bon livre mais la qualité de l’impression plutôt médiocre

Everything you could know about the history of Barcelona to 1930 or so and excellent descriptions of its architecture. Could be helped by a map for people unfamiliar with the geography. 20/21st century somewhat lacking (it was written in 1990s)