Michener confesses that he feels a "spiritual connection" to Spain. This profound connection serves as an explanation for his overly long labor of love, which is the documentation of his travels around the country between approximately 1932 and 1966.

However, aside from the somewhat misleading title, as he never actually enters Portugal and rarely even mentions it, the book does have its redeeming qualities. It does contain some interesting anecdotes and information that can capture the reader's attention for a while.

Nevertheless, overall, the book is mostly forgettable. It fails to leave a lasting impression and may not be a must-read for most. The spiritual connection that Michener feels towards Spain might have been better translated into a more engaging and memorable piece of work.

I have had to do dog-ear for years.

On the top of the page to stop reading.

At the bottom, where I marked something precious.

A book with a flock of puppies.

Dog-earing is a simple way to keep track of where you left off in a book. It's quick and easy, but it can also damage the book over time.

Sometimes, I would mark a page with a particularly good passage or a quote that I wanted to remember.

The book with the puppies was one of my favorites. I would often dog-ear the pages with pictures of the cute little dogs.

Looking back, I realize that I should have been more careful with my books. I could have used bookmarks or other methods to mark my place.

But despite the damage, those dog-eared pages hold a special place in my heart. They are a reminder of the many hours I spent reading and enjoying those books.

Disclosure: I only read about 320 pages of this before stopping. This is about a third of the book.

The core of this book is a travelogue of the author's multiple trips through Spain. It uses this as a springboard for a LOT of digressions on various other things. There are digressions on the history of different regions, people the author talked to, the wildlife and art he sees. In theory, it can be an interesting way of taking a surface-level look at the country and viewing them more deeply. And at its best, this book achieves this.

The problem is that usually, these digressions just feel like digressions. They are long, unimportant, and uninteresting. It feels like a random collection of facts and stories only marginally relevant to each other. A lot of the stories are not especially interesting on their own. It's very obvious that the author views Spain with a kind of holy reverence and finds every single aspect about it fascinating and important. He even goes to the extent of declaring its weird rituals more spiritually meaningful than other countries'. But he only kind of converts this into actual interesting text for someone who has not actually experienced being there.

I think someone with more patience than me for this kind of thing would rate this book higher. I definitely enjoyed several parts of it, but I wish a good editor would have cut out the rest. When I find myself skimming over essentially whole pages, I know it is time to stop.

Overall, while the book has its moments of interest, it is also burdened by its excessive digressions and lack of focus. It could have been a much better read with some careful editing and a more streamlined approach. However, for those who are really passionate about Spain and are willing to wade through the less interesting parts, it may still offer some valuable insights and perspectives.

I read this book for two main reasons. Firstly, I have a deep adoration for Spain. Secondly, it was given to me as a Christmas gift in 2020. Before that day, I had no idea this book even existed.

Finally, after crossing the finish line of Michener's supermarathon through Iberian time and terrain, I'm left in a state of mental exhaustion. All I can manage to say is, "well, I did it."

This book had its shining moments, although there were probably more than I can currently recall. I've been laboring through it for almost a year. The chapter on Teruel amazed me with its pathos and personal detail. However, it's not entirely a compliment as I reached that chapter after nearly 800 pages of exhaustive and not always inspiring prose.

I'm a bit disappointed in myself for once again focusing on what dissatisfied me. This negative focus is a readerly vice I really want to reform, but not today. Or perhaps we can split the difference. I'll try to turn my negativity into a positive by reflecting on the lessons Michener's voluminous and panting style offers for my own writerly ambitions.

The problem with this book is that it lacks focus. Is this a ridiculous complaint? I was previously unfamiliar with Michener, so I'm not sure about his reputation. But the fact that all of his books are so long should have been a hint. Throughout this could-have-been-heart-swelling book, which climaxes and concludes with a treatment of the Camino de Santiago, Michener talks about so many things and digresses so often from the regional topic at hand that the potency of any given page is diluted.

I have complete faith in Michener's love and devotion to Spain. I believe him when he says it, and I feel it despite the flatness of the words on the page. The problem is that one cannot convince another of one's own love, and there are never enough words to describe such a love. The more one tries, the less likely the other person is to feel it.

To the extent that Michener's attention does settle on something, a second problem is that the book lacks poetic concreteness. There's an element of personal taste here, and I'm not comfortable faulting him for it. But for my money's worth, his reliance on comparisons and superlatives when communicating a feeling shortchanges a lot of aspects of Spain.

When he writes about art, architecture, music, dance, or anything cultural or visible, the vocabulary is often limited to terms like "finest," "well-balanced," and "graceful." For this reader, such descriptions are equivalent to no description at all.

There are a couple of notable exceptions to this lack of artfulness. Early in the book, when Michener is describing the limited Spanish vocabulary he intends to use, his efforts to define "duende" and "gracia" are rendered dramatically. Another exception is when he talks about people. Here, his keen sensitivity regarding the human spirit shines through.

All in all, I don't regret reading this book. But as I often reflect with friends who travel, once one has had the experience for oneself, nothing can replace it. Reading a book about Spain is not the same as visiting Spain. But in the absence of the opportunity or energy for the latter, one can feel grateful for the former and for those who devote so much time and energy to producing it.

I made up my mind to delve into this during the holidays. It was a part of my subsequent and insatiable pursuit to absorb as many aspects of Spanish culture as I could.

I have long been a highly appreciative enthusiast of Michener's historical epics. This volume, though, is not like Chesapeake, Hawaii, or The Source. Those works provide exhaustive and nearly encyclopedic examinations of their respective topics.

This autobiographical piece, based on Michener's personal experiences in the Iberian peninsula from the 1930s to the 1960s, is in sharp contrast to the almost clinical way he treats his other subjects. I confess to being delightfully astonished by the humanity with which Michener approaches Spain, as well as by the poetic literary style he uses to capture the essence of the nation's culture, psychology, and character.

Even though most of it is set in the Franco era and is obviously quite outdated, it is some of the finest travel literature I have had the joy of reading. After finishing this one, I truly and seriously question whether Michener didn't overlook his true vocation as a travel writer.

Michener is, of course, a literary giant. "Bridges at Toko-Ri" was one of the very first books I ever delved into. However, for some reason, after that initial encounter, I only managed to read a few more of his works, namely "Tales of the South Pacific," "Chesapeake," and "Texas." So, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no expert on his extensive body of work. But I can say with confidence that this particular book taught me more about Spain than my actual visits to the country or years of studying the Spanish language ever did. Here is just a taste of what Michener reveals to us:

The unique Spanish system of surnames. Extremadura, that poor and rugged region bordering Portugal, which gave birth to Balboa, de Soto, Cortez, and Pizarro. The concept of "pundonor," that extreme and uniquely Spanish sense of honor. "Duende," the highest form of praise, and "ambiente," ambiance in the most wonderful sense. The famous emperors Trajan and Hadrian, and the Borgias, who are not as well-known as Spaniards. The Transparente, that exquisitely carved screen of near-mystic beauty in the Toledo cathedral. Almond soup. The explosion during the Republican siege in 1936, which was heard forty miles away in Madrid yet failed to flatten the Alcazar. Las Marismas and the Donana bird sanctuary. The enchanting magic of Seville. Bullfighters. El Escorial. The composers Albeniz, Granados, Falla, and chief among them, Victoria. The magnificent architecture. Hemingway. The great painters, especially Velasquez, and their masterful works. The delicious food. The captivating legends. The kings and queens. The books and the vibrant city of Barcelona. A brilliant chapter on Spain's fighting bulls. And yet, perhaps the most remarkable part of the book is the final chapter, dedicated to Santiago de Compostela and the rich history of the pilgrimage to it. All of this is presented here in exquisite detail. And what a vivid and comprehensive picture it paints! Region by region and city by city.

That Michener possessed such in-depth knowledge of Spain, and that this was just one of the many places about which he had such profound understanding, is truly astonishing and almost beyond comprehension. This is a magnificent and highly satisfying work that offers a wealth of insights into the culture, history, and beauty of Spain.

It's been fifty years, and so much has changed.

Not least of all, Franco finally passed away, and Spain has become far more democratic than it was when Michener was there.

His perspective is very much a male one, although his wife makes an appearance at the end of the book.

The book is extremely long, but it is quite readable if you approach it with a degree of skepticism.

Despite its length, it offers valuable insights into the history and culture of Spain during that time period.

However, it's important to remember that Michener's views are his own and may not necessarily reflect the full complexity of the situation.

Overall, it's an interesting read that can provide a unique perspective on a bygone era.

Michener has always been one of my favorite fiction writers. This time, his work, written in the late 1960's, delves into his travels throughout the diverse regions of Spain from the 1930's to the 1960's. It is an excellent travelogue that masterfully blends his personal experiences with the rich history of each town. The vivid portrayals bring the landscapes, cultures, and people of Spain to life on the pages. Each chapter offers a unique perspective, allowing the reader to embark on a journey through time and space. It is not just a book about travel; it is a comprehensive exploration of a nation's past and present. Just overall, it is an excellent read that is well worth the time it takes to get through the 939 pages. It is a literary masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on any reader.

How does a man manage to encapsulate everything he adores about a country into a collection of experiences that transcends mere anecdotes and interviews, goes beyond history and cultural exploration, and is more than just profiles of men, villages, and landscapes?

If we envision a rich stew that has been simmering continuously for centuries, perhaps we can gain an understanding of the abundance of its ingredients, the harmonious interaction of its flavors, and the substances that its history has imprinted on its taste.

I was completely unprepared for this non-fictional account of Michener's travels through Spain. The book is divided into regions, and Michener's affection for each one is as palpable as the Spaniards' love for him. He doesn't merely write about bullfights; he delves into the lives of matadors, aficionados, and the bulls themselves.

Do you desire to know how to prepare the most delicious flan in Spain, or how to cook oxtail? Indeed, the recipes are concealed within these pages, waiting to be unearthed. Are you interested in the political intrigues of the country's royalty, or what life was like during Franco's era in Spain? It's all here.

A vivid and masterful journey through Spain's architecture, museums, local legends, and festivals, the book delves deep into the country's soul. One finishes reading it with a sigh and a profound sense of a world where honor and grace hold greater significance than commercialism and global ideals.

Just like the rugged land it represents, the book is a journey, one that uncovers unexpected treasures in the most surprising of places. I have visited Spain and relished my time there, as well as its people. But "Iberia" reveals the reason why so many foreigners have Spain in their blood. Certainly, Michener had a deep love for that country, and his passion makes this book a delight to read. It is an amazing achievement.

A detailed literary travel book of the Spanish peninsula awaits you. It is an astonishing potpourri of information that has been painstakingly gathered from a rich tapestry of sources. The author has delved deep into history, engaging in countless conversations with many Spaniards, and drawing upon their own personal experiences from visiting Spain multiple times. The result is an immensely colorful perspective on everything concerning Spain.

From the vibrant cities with their ancient architecture and bustling plazas, to the idyllic countryside with its rolling hills and charming villages, this book takes you on a journey through the heart and soul of Spain. It explores the country's unique culture, traditions, and cuisine, providing insights and anecdotes that will both educate and entertain.

For those who truly want to understand Spain, this is the book to read. It offers a comprehensive and engaging look at a country that is full of surprises and delights. Whether you are planning a trip to Spain or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating nation, this literary travel book is sure to satisfy your curiosity.

A fascinating saga awaits as we delve into the world of Spain as it was 50 years ago. The history of the second half of the 20th century is truly beyond comprehension. It is a complex tapestry of events, social changes, and political upheavals. However, Michener did an awesome job of presenting it in a vivid narrative. He brought to life the people, the places, and the emotions of that era. Through his words, we can envision the bustling streets of Madrid, the beautiful beaches of Barcelona, and the charming villages of Andalusia. We can feel the excitement of the Franco era, the turmoil of the transition to democracy, and the hope for a better future. Michener's work is a must-read for anyone interested in Spanish history or simply a great story.

White intellectual romanticizing the exotic - Michener truly brought to mind snippets I had witnessed of Gregory David Roberts and Paul Gauguin.

All of them donned the guise of admirable art. Five years ago, I might have been in awe of Michener's subtlety or his worldliness. His extensive traveling is indeed impressive: I was astounded by his encyclopedic knowledge of Iberia. Later, I discovered that he had written numerous books about as many different locales. For his era and his circumstances, he was an intellect to be envied.

However, his "great men" worldview seems rather outdated. I highly doubt that every Spaniard cherished him as much as he adored them. I even question if he himself enjoyed them as much as he documented. And I'm skeptical that his experiences were as enchanting as he maintained. Throughout the book, his profound love for life is intertwined with fetish.

Still, I can't find fault with a life so productive in both traveling and writing. He had a remarkable talent for both.

By the way, I merely skimmed through this weighty book, mainly with an eye towards my own future travels.