Cadiz
The Story of Europe's Oldest City
Published on 30. November 2024
Book
Hardback
324 pages
978-1-911723-61-5 (ISBN)
Description
This is the tale of Western Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city, a 3,000-year history of war and seafaring, culture and commerce, liberalism and resistance.
Helen Crisp and Jules Stewart offer a vibrant account of Cadiz past and present, from its ancient founding myths to its reinvention as a trendy tourist destination. They illuminate Cadiz's experiences under Roman and Moorish rule; explore its centuries of maritime warfare, from Francis Drake to the Battle of Trafalgar; and probe its role in Spain's 'Golden Age' of empire, when it dominated trade with the New World. As Spain's de facto capital during the Peninsular War, Cadiz also produced Europe's first liberal constitution in 1812. And in 1936, it was the port of entry for Franco's troops, mustered to overthrow the Republic.
Cadiz has excited the passions of travellers for centuries. Lord Byron was enchanted by the ladies of the city, whom he described as 'form'd for all the witching arts of love'. Benjamin Disraeli fell in love with Cadiz in 1830, seeing 'Figaro in every street and Rosita in every balcony'. This beautifully illustrated book, the first to tell the full story of this intriguing and extraordinary city, brings its past to life.
Helen Crisp and Jules Stewart offer a vibrant account of Cadiz past and present, from its ancient founding myths to its reinvention as a trendy tourist destination. They illuminate Cadiz's experiences under Roman and Moorish rule; explore its centuries of maritime warfare, from Francis Drake to the Battle of Trafalgar; and probe its role in Spain's 'Golden Age' of empire, when it dominated trade with the New World. As Spain's de facto capital during the Peninsular War, Cadiz also produced Europe's first liberal constitution in 1812. And in 1936, it was the port of entry for Franco's troops, mustered to overthrow the Republic.
Cadiz has excited the passions of travellers for centuries. Lord Byron was enchanted by the ladies of the city, whom he described as 'form'd for all the witching arts of love'. Benjamin Disraeli fell in love with Cadiz in 1830, seeing 'Figaro in every street and Rosita in every balcony'. This beautifully illustrated book, the first to tell the full story of this intriguing and extraordinary city, brings its past to life.
Reviews / Votes
'[A] thorough, solid, well-written portrait of Cadiz.' -- <b><I>Morning Star</I></b> '[This] engaging and informative new book brings this remarkable city vividly to life, concisely tracing its ever-shifting fortunes across more than three millennia.' * <b><I>Geographical</I></b> * 'The authors are clearly enchanted by the place and have dashed off a handy introduction, lavishly sprinkled with 59 illustrations.' -- <b><I>La Revista</i></b> 'A sparkling homage to an unsung city. Engaging, complex and filled with a literary eye for the details.' -- <b>Nicholas Casey, staff writer, <i>The New York Times Magazine</i></b> 'Cadiz is one of Spain's most beautiful and seductive cities, as rich in history as it is in gastronomy and flamenco music. It is also one of the less overwhelmed by tourism. Whether it will remain so after this elegantly written and enticingly knowledgeable history is a matter for some trepidation.' -- <b>Sir Paul Preston, author of <i>Perfidious Albion: Britain and the Spanish Civil War</i></b> 'Helen Crisp and Jules Stewart capture the essence of this unique and ancient settlement, with just the right mix of facts, myths and insight. A joy to read, it moves through 3,000 years of history with elegance and pace. An engaging and thoroughly enjoyable book.' -- <b>Jason Webster, author of <i>Duende</i> and <i>The Book of Duende</i></b> 'Lively, evocative and rich in anecdotes, Cadiz takes us on a 3,000-year journey through the multi-cultural history of a city set between two continents and two seas that have forged its vital role in world trade.' -- <b>Elizabeth Drayson, University of Cambridge, author of <i>Lost Paradise: The Story of Granada</i> and <i>The Moor's Last Stand: How Seven Centuries of Muslim Rule in Spain Came to an End</i></b> 'An excellent introduction to Cadiz for discerning travellers who use tourism for education rather than destructive, whistle-stop, list-ticking European weekend breaks. Through the study of one city's history, the reader gains a wealth of knowledge about Spanish history in general.' -- <b>Helen Rodgers, co-author of <i>City of Illusions: A History of Granada</i></b>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
60 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 144 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
546 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-911723-61-5 (9781911723615)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2024
1st Edition
Hurst Publishers
from
€45.99
Available for download
Persons
Helen Crisp is fascinated by Spain's history, landscapes and lesser-known museums. She is co- author, with Jules Stewart, of Madrid: Midnight City and Strike Up the Band: New York City in the Roaring Twenties. Jules Stewart is a journalist and author, whose thirteen book topics include the NYPD and Prince Albert.