Rating: 
Summary: Despite flaws this is a good book
Review: Despite the fact this this is popular history this is a good read. Few books detail the Basques or their unique history and even fewer books are as illuminating as this one. From short histories of whaling to the birth of the Jesuit missionaries and other things this read is like a scroll of history. From detailing the odd and confounded Carlist wars to the Basque support of Republicanism, although they had nothing in common with the radical communists, and of course the modern issue of the ETA and the suppression of the Basques under Franco, this book seems to do it all. Immensely informative while not always willing to make judgment calls this book is still a must read. On par with other wonderful works like 1968 and `The Chosen Few' this book also has great chapters on Basque food and the Basque language. Anyone will enjoy this book. The expert Spanish historian may have qualms with the authors slight bias but nevertheless this wide span of this book out-ways any criticism. Seth J. Frantzman
Rating:
Summary: Despite flaws this is a good book
Review: Despite the fact this this is popular history this is a good read. Few books detail the Basques or their unique history and even fewer books are as illuminating as this one. From short histories of whaling to the birth of the Jesuit missionaries and other things this read is like a scroll of history. From detailing the odd and confounded Carlist wars to the Basque support of Republicanism, although they had nothing in common with the radical communists, and of course the modern issue of the ETA and the suppression of the Basques under Franco, this book seems to do it all. Immensely informative while not always willing to make judgment calls this book is still a must read. On par with other wonderful works like 1968 and 'The Chosen Few' this book also has great chapters on Basque food and the Basque language. Anyone will enjoy this book. The expert Spanish historian may have qualms with the authors slight bias but nevertheless this wide span of this book out-ways any criticism. Seth J. Frantzman
Rating: 
Summary: interesting...
Review: for most parts of the book Kurlansky does give vvv interesting information on the Basques, their laguage, culture and their aspirations and mindset.... the book portrays the world through the eyes of the Basque people.... however is not a history on the Basques per se....
Rating: 
Summary: If only it was based on reality
Review: I enjoyed this book until I reached the last chapters.
These last chapters (20th century) offer a very biased account of Spanish and Basque history. Misrepresentations range from mere embellishments about Basque contributions, to suspicious omissions (e.g. the most unpopular actions of the Basque ETA are not mentioned), to outright falsehoods, even about facts that can be easily checked online (e.g. the results of the Spanish Constitutional referendum of 1978 in Catalonia and Galicia, Maastricht and the EU, and so on in a long list).
All in all, I am disappointed because a case for Basque independence can be made without resorting to falsehoods. If you are really interested in Spanish and Basque history in the 20th century I suggest Raymond Carr and Paul Preston, both of them recommended by Kurlansky in the appendix (I wonder if he ever read their books).
Another anecdote that bothered me is his account of Elcano's role in the mutiny against Magellan. Grab Bergreen's "Over the Edge of the World" for a truthful and well documented account of the event.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a history book, and highly biased
Review: I read The Basque History of the World about one year ago. I had been asked a few times about Spanish history, and found myself quite ashamed not to know more. So I decided to grab a couple of books.
My boyfriend and I read it together by night, and although it is quite catchy, and easy to read because of Kurlansky's love for Basque culture, it is amazingly biased. Kurlansky is definitely not a historian, and although it never claims to be history, I wonder what to think about someone who does not give any of his sources.
The book is at the same time quite confusing. I knew the story -not the details or dates-, but my boyfriend got lost frequently.
If what you want is an easy-reading, then this may be your book. Kurlansky is higly partial, and his history of events is rather incomplete, so in my opinion, it should never be used as a reference.
Rating:
Summary: Romantic history
Review: I spent about 4 years in the Basque Country (Donostia and Deba). While Mr. Kurlansky has gotten all the little anecdotes right and places Ignatius of Loyola , Elcano, Unamuno and
Pio Baroja in their rightful place as towering figures of Western
Culture and true universalists, this book is severely maimed by a
romanticized and unreal vision of the land it portrays. Especially
when it comes to gloss over the violent tactics of groups such as E.T.A. and others . This group had its moment and its justification but not anymore. Not to advocate terrorism, kill bystanders and use blackmail and extortion. The author misses completely the irony of these groups advocating nationalism, racism and violence (fascism) to promote their agenda. Hitler was just as romantic. It also misses the true "novelty" of the Basques as a nation and Euzkera as a language. The intentions of the Spanish government are always dubious while the "victim" murderers have only the common interest and progress in their mind . In short. his portrait is extremely biased and only one side
of the story. .......
Rating:
Summary: Generally informative but take with a rock of salt
Review: Just like any other book, this one has its ups and downs. Unfortunately the downs seem to prevail in the overall picture. The "history" of the Basques is confusingly unsystematic, often not following the chronological sequence of events, and completely lost on the point of what is worth accenting and elaborating upon and what not (if you found the last sentence a bit disorderly, you already have an impression of what I mean.) Even though the author never added the ambitious "complete" to the title - maybe to avoid the obvious criticism that the text is far from exhaustive - he could have avoided a few dozens of the personal stories peppering this Basque pot. "Putting a human face" to history can not only be misleading, but can be politically dangerous especially when it shares covers with chapters on ETA and the government in Madrid. Mark Kurlansky seems humble enough never to make open statements on issues like globalization, nation versus state, ethnicity, culture, autonomy, and sovereignty, but leads the reader far enough to spell his opinions in evey blank space of the pages.
The ups come from the leisurely style of the writing, the variety of selected materials (also a down of course), but most of all from the fact that there are not even ten pounds (weightwise, not British quid) worth of books on the topic available to the English speaker.
Recommended to the curious and indiscriminate.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable introduction to lesser known subject...
Review: The Basques certainly deserve their own history, even if this retelling is highly subjective and not objectively historical. Kurlansky seems more in the business of giving clues to the Basque world without spelling everything out. The importance of home or "etxea" in the Basque mindset is explained, as are the resurgences of Basque languages (there seems to be more than one,) and nationalism. The devolution of some aspect of that nationalism into pure violence, and the terrorism of the ETA, is not developed. But the Basque identities of historical figures like Saint Ignatius Loyola and the writer Miguel De Unamuno are satisfyingly explained, as are the differences between later Basque leaders like Sabino Arano, and the chief executive in exile during WWII, Aguirre. Beyond that it's a bit of a hodge-podge, going from the development of Basque trade and industry with the Americas, the creation of the dish "pil-pil," the roots of Basque theology, and the significance of Guernica both as the center of Basque identity and as the victim of the staggering attack by Franco during the Spanish Civil War. And of course, the other reviewer is right. Ferdinand and Isabella had several children, the most significant of which are Juana La Loca and Katherine of Aragon who was the unfortunate first wife of England's Henry VIII. Kurlansky got that wrong, but I assumed he was oversimplifying.
Rating: 
Summary: Misnamed, Fascinating Book, Great for Spanish History Buffs
Review: The most important facet of this book on the Basques is that it finally offers something new and daring to those of us who are somewhat familiar with the general facts on the subject of Basque history and politics. This was very much what I expected after reading the book's title, which makes it sound as if it were about how Basques have perceived world events and culture. Au contraire, the title is merely an attempt to attract readers, and in all truthfulness the book is actually a "History of the Basque World" . Despite this criticism of little importance, I laud the book because here in Spain we are inundated with two extremist viewpoints on Basque issues: that of the most fanatical Basques who favor terrorism and independence, and that of the Spanish mainstream, which gives lip service to Basque autonomy and culture but then rails anything that has to do with the Basques (the usual madrileño or andalusian will opine "let them have their autonomy" and "it just disgusts me when they speak their caveman tongue" in the same conversation). Perhaps the forte of the book is that it is written by neither a Basque nor a (non-Basque) Spaniard, affording the author a somewhat more distant, less passionate viewpoint that allows him to relate historical events with much less of an ideological tint. And I found that he did so brilliantly and in an entertaining style, providing an interesting bookful of information to both those who know about the Basque Country and others who are being introduced to the topic for the first time, including the basic history of the region, local politics, culture, language, cuisine, current events, customs and relations with neighbors. You may criticize that he is "sympathetic" to the Basque cause (whatever you define that to be), but if he were not, then why would he have written a such an excellent book on the topic? He certainly shows no sympathy or support of any kind for terrorists, which is the only important factor in making his opinions as valid as anyone else's, and he certainly argues all of his points intelligently.
Rating:
Summary: Cookbook or History
Review: This book as well as this author's other book, "COD", contain a wealth of information about cooking recipes, and it does not mix well with the historical section. This author has to decide if he wants to write a cookbook or a history book. It makes this reader hesitant to take on another book by this author entitled "Salt" , because a history of salt may bring an overwhelming list of recipes. If the reader can ignore the history v.s. cookbook controversy, then the historical section is good writing, very interesting and informative. It seems civilizations, and conquerors may come and go, but the Basques remain, always attempting to remain true to their laws and traditions. A small fringe Basque group employs violent terrorist tactics with the aim of forming a separate Basque nation. The author conveys historical sympathy with majority of peaceful Basque people against the failed policies of the central Spanish government. His view is that they are often portrayed as scapegoats. I thought this sympathy may be a case of the author becoming a little too close to his subject matter and losing his objectivity, until the recent spate of train bombings in Spain. The Spanish government's first suspect was announced to be the Basque separatist movement, but later it was discovered to be Islamic extremists. All in all, it was a very worthwhile book dealing to inform oneself about the Basques and Basque history.
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