the first time that i’ve read this book, The Tales of Alhambra by Washington Irving, was back in 1994. In 1996, i had a chance to visit the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, a part of the old Andalus, or what is now known as Andalusia. Alhambra is a Landmark, a breath taking palace which is a clear example of How Arabs roling dynasty helped prosper a European Country – spain – during the dark ages. it is nice that finaly the Spanish government is taking care of such landmarks in Spain, since most Palaces built by arabs in Spain were ignored for years.
Washington was not only an Author, but also a Diplomat in Spain back in the 19th Century, back then, he took a long journey riding a mule crossing spain and ending up in Alhambra palace in Granada.
in This book, he describes what he observed in a magical way, takes the reader back to the glory days of the Islamic/Arab Khalifa, literature mixed with fairy tales, something close to 1001 Arabian nights. I Highly recommend this book for people who like to read about Travel/history/art.
the book i have is Washington Irving : Bracebridge Hall, Tales of a Traveller, The Alhambra (Library of America) (Hardcover) .
Published in 1992. it was originaly published back in 1832.
it is a available in a new edition published in 2005.
i give this book a rating of 9/10
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May 28th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
read it, isn’t it enchanting?
such a shame if you read it and did not see the palace “Al Hambra”, the palace itself is something out of Arabian nights..
May 28th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
–Baroque–, yeah , i cant forget what was written on the walls of Alhambra Palace ” ولا غالب اللا الله”
it was amazing and the garden in the palace was closest thing to paradise.
May 29th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Although I am not into history books or novels but this one might worth checking out. We did study about Andalusia in high school (or was it in middle-school) and we also read a poem regarding the Arab’s defeat and fall…it was good.
May 29th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Sounds good, may read. Thanks