The Hidden Life of Tirol

Rating:
Summary: Finally: A study of Tiroleans
Review: Often as one gets older, there is a need to get back to one's roots. I am of half-Tirolean ancestry, but have never been fully immersed in the culture. And unfortunately, I've also never visited the region either. This book has been very helpful in becoming re-acquainted with my Tirolean roots.

Ms. Ward has presented good research and anecdotal information about an ethnic group of which, aside from yodeling and their folk costume, very little is known outside of the region.

The book also clarifies some hot regional issues dealing with politics and ethnicity that were seldom spoken of when I was growing up. And it's filled with quotes, prose, and anecdotes from the past 200 years which were very interesting!

The book fell short of my expectations only in that it lacked articles on physical anthropology of the Alpine (a.k.a. Alpinid) group to which Tiroleans belong. The emphasis was primarily on the sociological aspects of Tirolean life.

I would recommend Hidden Life of Tirol to anyone interested in European contemporary history. Gemutlichkeit!!