Iberia

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

Length: 37 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

“Massive, beautiful . . . unquestionably some of the best writing on Spain [and] the best that Mr. Michener has ever done on any subject.”—The Wall Street Journal

Spain is an immemorial land like no other, one that James A. Michener, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author and celebrated citizen of the world, came to love as his own. Iberia is Michener’s enduring nonfiction tribute to his cherished second home. In the fresh and vivid prose that is his trademark, he not only reveals the celebrated history of bullfighters and warrior kings, painters and processions, cathedrals and olive orchards, he also shares the intimate, often hidden country he came to know, where the congeniality of living souls is thrust against the dark weight of history. Wild, contradictory, passionately beautiful, this is Spain as experienced by a master writer.

©2015 James A. Michener (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“From the glories of the Prado to the loneliest stone villages, here is Spain, castle of old dreams and new realities.”—The New York Times

“A dazzling panorama . . . one of the richest and most satisfying books about Spain in living memory.”—Saturday Review

“Kaleidoscopic . . . This book will make you fall in love with Spain.”—The Houston Post

Michener's Masterpiece

Michener's masterpiece takes the reader through an epic journey through Iberian history and experience. Iberia is a must read for any history enthusiast.

Informative and Enjoyable

I listened to this in prep for vacation to Spain, Andalucia and Madrid. It was worth the time, and I gained a better understanding of many parts of Spain I didn’t know anything about. Loved the section about the Prado! And I enjoyed that it was his own personal story!

Monolithic

The book wasn't terrible, it was just dated overall. Some parts were great reflections on Spanish cities and countryside, other parts reported on Spanish life in the 50s and 60s. Those parts don't really stand the test of time. It would be an appropriate book for any student of Spain, European history, or Michener fan.

Epic tour de force of Spain

Mitchners book explores in detail Spains history, art, culture, geography with in depth analysis of bulls, bull fighters, the Spanish Inquisition in comparison with other European nations of the time, horses, horsemen and women, birds, refuges, ancient art, ruins. He fails at paella.

Great history

Listened to this book before an 8-day trip to Spain. Helped a lot. Lots of great backstory on history of Spain.

Slow speaker had to turn it up to 2.0 for it to enter my faced paced brain

Book was superb. Speaker was slow. Had to speed it up in order to stay awake on the road

OK

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Interesting but not great

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Became a travelogue and so it petered out.

What about Larry McKeever’s performance did you like?

He's got a perfect voice

Could you see Iberia being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not.

Any additional comments?

If you want a travel guide you might like it.

So so.

This is a travel journal from the mid-1960’s. Had a hard time relating to it as I wondered how different Spain must be today. Love Michener though and plan to give another go.

Fabulous preparation for my trip to Spain!

Recommend it highly!! Very detailed and interesting. A newcomer would never know Spain like this.

Painful listen

There's no story! it's a personal travel journal that drones on and on. I can't believe I stuck with it to the finish.
I've listened to several of his books and this is the first one of his I regret.