Mark Kurlansky: The Basque History Of The World

Vintage

$27.95

The singular remarkable fact about the Basques is that they still exist, writes Kurlansky in this enlightening history of Europe's oldest people.

Their origins are a mystery: they are a physically distinct group, possibly descended from the Cro-Magnons of 40,000 years ago, and their language is related to no other.

They are few in number, tucked into a corner of Spain and France, yet they feel inexplicably secure about their place among nations.

From time immemorial they have struggled to protect their separate identity while being very much a part of the wider world.

History has swept through their mountain passes and their villages - Indo-European invaders, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Nazis and, today, the idea of European union - but the Basques have remained distinct, although never separate.

They were pioneers of whaling and cod fishing and led the way in exploring the Americas and Asia, as well as leading Southern Europe's industrial revolution.

A wonderful story, charmingly told.