Iberia (book)

"Iberia", by James A. Michener (original title: Iberia: Spanish Travels and Reflections), is a detailed and illustrated exploration of Spain at it was during the mid 1960s. The author takes a measured, literary view on such subjects as the Moorish occupation, Islam, Catholicism, Francisco Franco and other controversial subjects. However, his feeling are often far from neutral, as in his comments on Franco (p.836, at the end of his chapter on Teruel:"Why should I allow Franco to deprive me of a land which is almost as much mine as his?"

Michener shows to be very prescient, as in his talk of national cycles of rebirth (p.837): "... And one of these days, (change) will be true even of Russia, and we had better be prepared to admit it .... though (in the United States) we fight against it and blind our eye and conscience to the fact".

He is characteristically detailed about his explorations. This is a work of non-fiction, so there is very little of the story-teller Michener in the book, but his description of the Iberian Peninsula, its locations, and the vast wealth of its peoples, folklore, religion, history, arts and cultures is well worth reading.

"Iberia" includes a chapter on the pilgrimage trail Camino de Santiago that provides a valuable background for those walking that trail today.