First published 1200
For over 2,000 years, the Basque people have fiercely defended their small homeland against a procession of invaders, from Celts to Napoleonic armies. Yet despite their obscure origins and tiny population, the Basques have wielded an outsized influence on Europe and the world. Delving into their ancient culture, language, and legal code, Mark Kurlansky illuminates how this paradoxical blend of tradition and ambition has made the Basque people a force to be reckoned with.
Genres: biography, history, non-fiction, cultural, cultural-studies
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-identity, underdog
Setting: Pays Basque (France), Pais Vasco (Spain), País Vasco (Spain)
400 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books