Tales of the Alhambra Paperback – December 13, 2011

I read this before a vacation in Spain that included a visit to the Allhambra. It greatly enhanced the experience of my visit. I can’t recommend these wonderful stories enough!

Washington Irving is credited with bringing the glorious history and unbelievable beauty of the Alhambra, in the city of Granada, (the last stronghold of the Moors in the South of Spain) to Western conciousness.After spending a day at the Alhambra last Summer, and passing by the closed apartments that he occupied, I decided to listen to his book while driving one hour each way to work. (any short trips won't work because all of the 'tales' are lengthy)My title says it all. If you are a student of dry history this book is not for you. Only about 20-30 minutes will satisfy your curiosity for the facts. If you enjoy legend and lore this book is it. The bulk of the book tells numerous stories of princes and princeses, kings and soldiers, common laborers such as mule drivers and water carriers, loves found and loves lost, and especially the perrenial human lust for long lost and buried treasure, etc., all told with a wonderous style and feel for southern Spain of the 13-th to 15-th centuries.The factual account of how Columbus finally came to agreement with Isabella and Ferdinand to sign the contract for the three ships, almost by chance in 1492, while the two sovereigns were outside Granada laying the final siege of the Alhambra fortress, is mind blowing. History came 'that close' to having Columbus sail three French ships instead of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.If you want just the facts, look elsewhere. But if you are planning a trip to Granada and the Alhambra, definitely pick up this book, along with a second, more fact based, and give a read or listen. I wish I had done that before my trip. It would have given much more life and enjoyment to the place as I walked through the various rooms and towers and gardens that Irving so lovingly describes.

Heading to the Alhambra this spring, so I picked up this hoary gem from the early 19th Century by Washington Irving. Consisting of a series of sketches and retellings of stories he'd either heard or read, the Tales are a marvelous if uneven collection that reminded me of Rushdie in places. Irving is an opinionated and occasionally bigoted narrator, but he approaches all his experience with good humor and an appreciation for the Spaniards he meets. He is also remarkably complementary of the Moors, whose Moslem influence he believed balanced the intemperate Christian Spanish world. There is no end of spells, treasures, enchantments, sturdy cavaliers, beautiful princesses, noble peasants and ruined castles. Irving's prose is lively and--except for its rich vocabulary and assumption of a certain literary education--quite modern. Time will tell whether his experience has any lessons for a visit by me two hundred years later.

Washington Irving's "Tales of the Alhambra" is really two books in one. The first section chronicles Irvings 1829 visit to the crumbling Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Irving was permitted to reside within the palace grounds. His beautifully detailled descriptions of the deteriorating palace and its inhabitants fit well within the romantic vision that was beginning to sweep Europe. One can only imagine Irving's influence in shaping the Orientalist craze that played out in the Nineteenth Century European art.As a young man, Washington Iriving was inspired to learn Spanish after having read Miguel Cervantes' "Don Quixote". In that work, Cervantes interjected long romantic tales into the middle of the narrative. The second half of "Tales of the Alhambra" is a collection of romantic tales inspired by the Alhambra's Moorish and Spanish past. They are charming tales clearly inspired by Miguel Cervantes."Tales of the Alhambra" was published in 1832 and has been in continous print. This book survives because of Irving's ability to recreate a beautiful and romantic past for the ever elegant Alhambra Palace.

If you accept the fact that this book is written by a 19th-century author, it is a wonderful read. Read it before you go to Spain, while you are there, or after you return—perhaps all three! The descriptive language is stunning, and the sense of place is palpable. My only caveat is that this edition does not include all of the text. I’m not sure if that is due to Irving’s revision (he published the text twice) or some other reason, and there is no preface to explain. The notes and glossary at the end are helpful, although the format of the latter makes it a little hard to read.

I read this years ago in Spain, when visiting the exquisite Alhambra Palace in Granada, and the elegant prose and stories were a wonderful complement to my experience.Washington Irving would be later known as a famous 19th century writer of the Hudson River valley school (in future years, the author of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, Rip Van Winkle). As the son of a family of means, the young Irving was sent to the European continent to complete his education and gain worldly polish.In the company of a Russian nobleman, he traveled through Spain and obtained permission of the local authorities for them to camp out in the abandoned Alhambra Palace, which they did for months. His local guide enthralled him with the local Moorish legends, and the result was this delightful book.

I had forgotten how well Washington Irving writes. I read this is the wake of visiting the Alhambra and having seen the room in which Irving lived for some time and from which he garnered the stories included in this book. I was glad to have read it, as it increased my appreciation for the accomplishments of the Moors during their centuries-long stay in Spain, and of the chivalry so valued during that era. A person with a curiosity about history, especially of Spain's, might like to read this.

Tendría que estar mejor numeradas las páginas.

Agréables évocations de la vie à Grenade et dans l'Alhambra. Rien de transcendant dans ces contes soit-disant populaires, mais au final une lecture agréable, avec de belles descriptions de Grenade. Dans le style des "Les lettres de mon moulin" mais un cran en-dessous en terme de psychologie/qualité du style.A lire avant un voyage à Grenade !

An excellent acco unt of life in Spain as well a very well written detailed description about Alhambra and it's denizens of the past and present

Vedo che il mio pacco con quattro libri "è stato consegnato" il 15 gennaio. Ma niente pacco! L'indirizzo è corretto, e non so neanche a chi devo scrivere per sapere dove cavolo è il mio pacco e con quale servizio è stato mandato. AIUTO!

Read the account of irving's travels while being in granada myself and nothing could have provided a better background for my travels and sightseeing. it was so great to read the myths of the alhambra while checking out spain for yourself. recommended!not a travel guide though, do not expect loneley planet.