3.5 stars

Pros: I have a great affection for Michener, and his writing is invariably captivating and easily readable (provided you can endure the extensive length!). The numerous photos included by Michener's friend Robert Vavra were enjoyable, although they struck me as being a bit too "artistic." I would have preferred a greater focus on vistas and buildings rather than so many portraits of ordinary people.

Cons: I should have paid closer attention to the subtitle. I was anticipating more of what I have loved about Michener's books in the past: epics that span centuries,描绘 a place's history through the fictional stories of a few families and their generations. However, this book was not that at all; it was a Michener travelogue. Additionally, it was written in 1968, when Spain was still under the Franco dictatorship. Michener engages in a great deal of speculation about what different places would be like once Franco dies (which occurred in 1975), so all of that is now in the past.

Another minor gripe I had was with the title. Iberia is the peninsula that encompasses Spain and Portugal, yet Michener gives almost no attention to Portugal.诚然, we do learn a great deal of Spanish history in the book, and Portugal and Spain were united until 1668. (Much of the history Michener relates predates that!) But with the current elevation of Portugal as a desirable vacation destination (I assume this has happened since Michener's death in 1997), a little more attention there would have been welcome.

Nevertheless, this book is divided into chapters dedicated to the cities and regions that interest Michener. He had visited Spain numerous times, spoke excellent Spanish, and by 1968 had become a famous writer. This status enabled him to meet important people whom ordinary folks like us would not have access to, thereby gaining additional perspectives on the places he visited. Having just visited Barcelona, I was eager to see what he had to say about that city, and he did not disappoint. (I visited La Sagrada Familia, and of course it is still not finished yet, but I gather that what I saw was a great deal more than what Michener saw in the 1960s.) I liked the way each chapter was not confined to just its title. From each city, he ventured out many times into smaller towns in the vicinity for various reasons. The beginning of each chapter includes a map highlighting all the towns he visited and described in that chapter.

I cannot find fault with the chapters Michener chose to include, as I learned something from each of them, and he clearly knew a great deal more about Spain than I do. The final chapter on Santiago de Compostela was especially enjoyable.

Not the Michener I Usually Expect...

When I have delved into other books penned by James Michener, I have always been enthralled by the rich tapestry of history that he seamlessly weaves into a fictional, yet highly believable, narrative. His works have the power to transport readers to different eras and cultures, making history come alive in a captivating way. However, this particular book was a departure from his usual style. It was mostly a 1960s travelog, which, while interesting in its own right, did not offer the same depth and historical context that I have come to expect from Michener.

If you have a keen interest in reading a mid-20th century period piece that delves into the details of a Fascist dictatorship, then this book might be right up your alley. It provides a unique perspective on that particular time and place. However, if you are looking for a more typical Michener experience, you may find this book to be an exercise in depression. It lacks the grandeur and sweep of his other works and may leave you feeling a bit disappointed.

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that every author has their off days, and even a great writer like Michener is not immune to producing a book that may not meet everyone's expectations.

I was first introduced to James A Michener's writing in the early 1970s. I was immediately fascinated by the depth of information his books contained. In particular, "Space" and my absolute favorite, "The Covenant," truly captivated me. Around the same decade, I also attempted to read "Iberia." However, being only in my early twenties at the time, my mind would often wander, and I found the book to be overly detailed, so I gave up on it.

Currently, I am reading "Iberia" once again. This is because I plan to spend several weeks visiting historical sites in Spain this summer. I agree with Roy Lotz' review that the book is indeed quite long, and the details can be overwhelming.

Given my interests in history and architecture, James' writing remains just as valuable today as it was in the sixties. However, I do have to read his long sentences multiple times in order to extract the relevant information. It requires a certain level of concentration and patience, but it is well worth the effort as I continue to explore the rich history and culture of Iberia through his words.

I did a second review of this book some time ago, which included many pictures. However, it wasn't as popular as my original review. So, I thought I'd resubmit this one in case some readers might find it useful. The book is still in print, and although it may be a bit dated, a friend of mine who moved to Spain last year said he found it helpful for planning travels and exploring the country.

I'm fairly certain I read most of this book 40-50 years ago. I had a bit of a romance with Spain back then, probably because of "Death in the Afternoon" by Ernest Hemingway. Now, I find myself drawn to the book again. I'm not sure if I'll read the entire thing, especially since it's likely to be somewhat outdated. But I have started reading it again, slowly.

Michener says in his introduction that he has always regarded Spain as his second home. When he wrote "Iberia" in the late 60s, he had spent four decades traveling in Spain. He first visited Spain in 1932 while he was a student in Scotland. On that visit, he was struck by the contrast between the wealthy and the poor in the country.

The book is written more as a travelogue than a scholarly work. It explores the history, culture, and people of Spain through Michener's personal experiences and observations. The remaining chapters, except for chapter XI, are each named for a region or city in Spain. The book also has a decent index.

Overall, "Iberia" is a book of general interest that provides a fascinating look at Spain. While it may not be the most up-to-date or comprehensive guide to the country, it is still a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Spanish history, culture, or travel.

Written in 1968, this piece offers an incredibly detailed and in-depth look into the Spanish politics of that era. Each and every sentence is infused with James' profound love for Spain, and it is truly affecting. His vivid descriptions of different parts of the country, its magnificent buildings, and the diverse people make you feel an irresistible urge to pack your belongings and embark on a journey to see them with your own eyes.

I have read a significant number of his books, and this one is no exception. It is yet another captivating work that had me completely engrossed, unable to put it down and constantly looking up information to visualize the scenes and places he described.

Without a doubt, this is a highly recommended piece of literature that not only provides valuable insights into Spanish politics but also takes you on a literary adventure through the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Spain.

I have spent the majority of this pandemic summer engrossed in reading Iberia.

It offers a truly fascinating perspective on Spain from the vantage point of a traveler. Michener dedicated many months to traversing the peninsula, fully immersing himself in the breathtaking scenery, the captivating art, the complex politics, the rich history, and, above all, the thrilling bullfights. (This was during the 1960s.)

It is not a book that can be read hastily; rather, it demands a patient and engaged reader. However, the rewards are well worth the effort. The detailed descriptions and vivid accounts make it an enjoyable and enlightening read.

One can almost envision oneself walking the same paths as Michener, experiencing the same emotions and discoveries. Iberia is not just a travelogue; it is a love letter to Spain, a country that Michener clearly adored.

It provides a unique and valuable insight into a place that has captured the hearts and imaginations of people from all over the world.

This is an extremely fascinating book.

Undoubtedly, it is a product of the times (specifically the late 1960's), and it is by no means impartial, although it sometimes pretends to be.

"Iberia" offers a profound reflection on Spain from the perspective of an outsider who has a deep love for the country.

At times, it is funny, at other times, it is poignant, and there are even moments when it borders on being offensive.

Nevertheless, it remains highly enjoyable and serves as a great starting point for your own exploration into various aspects of Spain and Spanish life.

It is also incredibly long, but I found it to be a relatively quick read.

Michener is an outstanding writer who vividly brings his experiences to life.

His detailed descriptions and engaging narrative make the book a captivating read from start to finish.

Whether you are interested in Spanish history, culture, or simply want to gain a better understanding of the country, "Iberia" is definitely worth picking up.

It provides a unique and often eye-opening perspective that will leave you with a greater appreciation for Spain and its people.

I initially thought this was a novel, but then I discovered it was a travelogue and memoir of Michener.

At times, his detailed descriptions of the architecture of a cathedral or a painting in a museum made me eager to pack my bags and experience it all firsthand.

However, there were also moments when I felt as if I were stuck at a dinner party, bored to death by an old uncle who rambled on about every detail of his last summer's trip.

This is a book that I will definitely have to revisit and refer to, as it is filled with an abundance of places, historical details, famous people (Michener can be a bit of a name dropper), and non-famous people.

Michener complains that he never witnessed an acceptable flamenco dance in Spain, was served a good paella, or saw his favorite bullfighter, Curro Romero, perform a great fight. But he does return to Spain later and gets to witness a magnificent fight by Romero, so he still has hopes for the paella and the flamenco.

Michener was evidently extremely impressed with Robert Vavra, whose photographs illustrate the book. In fact, Michener says he decided to do this book after seeing a collection of Vavra's photographs. Michener liked that Vavra showed the life and people of Spain rather than just the cathedrals, medieval houses, and flamenco dancers. Personally, I would have appreciated more pictures of the cathedrals and sights described by Michener.

It is truly very disappointing. This book is not at all like the other books of his that I have had the pleasure of reading. Instead, it seems to be more of a whimsical autobiography of his time in Spain. Additionally, it was written way back in 1965, which means that his reflections on the government and the people are no longer relevant in today's context. One would have expected something more profound and engaging from an author of his caliber. However, this particular work fails to meet those expectations. It feels like a missed opportunity to explore deeper themes and offer more valuable insights. Perhaps the author was in a different mindset when he wrote this book, or maybe he was simply trying something new. Whatever the reason, it is a pity that this book does not live up to the standards set by his other works.

I was extremely disappointed in this book.

I had been anticipating Michener's typical historical fiction novel, but this was far from it!

It is much more than a mere travel book. It encompasses a vast amount of history, politics, geography, rumor, and innuendo.

Everything about Spain is covered, far more than one could ever desire!

The cover proclaims that it is "superbly illustrated". While there were indeed some interesting pictures, many of them were off-topic, just like Michener's rambling tendencies.

This book was first published in 1968, and a significant portion of the material is now dated.

I remain a Michener fan, but I will be more cautious in the future about what I embark upon.

This book is a substantial investment, consisting of over 1,000 pages.

It's a pity that this particular work didn't meet my expectations as much as I had hoped.

Perhaps Michener's other novels will prove to be more in line with what I was seeking.

Nonetheless, I will continue to explore his works, albeit with a more discerning eye.

My review likely has a closer connection to expectation rather than reality.

I have been a devoted Michener fan for several decades. However, this book was completely unlike the others I have perused. It is not historical fiction but rather a travel log set in 1960s Spain. There is an excessive amount of bullfighting for my taste. In fact, I skipped an entire chapter that described it in great detail.

Perhaps my anticipation was too high, given my long-standing admiration for Michener's work. But this particular book failed to meet those expectations. The focus on bullfighting seemed to overshadow other aspects of the Spanish experience that could have been explored more deeply.

Despite this disappointment, I still appreciate Michener's writing style and his ability to bring a place to life. Maybe this book was just a departure from his usual form, and I should view it as such. Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder that even our favorite authors can sometimes produce works that don't quite resonate with us.

A beautifully written travelogue of Spain in the 1960's. However, Michener gets a little too bogged down in descriptive detail. This is a writing trait that I've enjoyed much more in his epic historic novels.

This is the first non-fiction work I've read of his. He definitely manages to pull you into his journey through the country. It's as if you were right by his side, experiencing everything along with him. He also provides a detailed history of the different provinces of Spain, which is very enlightening.

I don't have a liking for bullfighting. I've always thought of it more as bull baiting and killing. So, I skipped over those chapters.

This was what my son refers to as a "doorstop book". It's so large and heavy that it could hold a door open even in gale-force winds. I have to admit that I preferred the depth and breadth of detail in his epic historic novels.