Bullfighting: A Troubled History

The Amazon editorial reviews are made out to suggest that this book is a dispassionate, evenhanded examnation of the history of the bullfight, and I purchased the book expecting as much. The book is nothing of the sort: it's an anti-bullfighting screed.If you're a member of PETA, this book may be of interest. If you're an aficionado looking for a scholarly examination of bullfighting's past you will need to look elsewhere.I give the book two stars, instead of one, because of the quality of the photos and paintings liberally supplied throughout the text.

We come to review this book not for what it says, but rather for what it shows. We here at Dream Factory have a passion for the 'skin of society'. That being - ART.This luscious book is absolutely overflowing with wonderful bullfight related artwork. 93 reproductions to be exact. By the likes of Delacroix, Solana, Oscar Dominguez, Picasso, Bacon, Andre Masson, Renoir, Guerineau, and dozens more. 2 by Dali ( one of which we have never seen. Because it was painted especially for a bullfight in his honor). Over a dozen by Goya. 4 by Manet. Including his masterpiece 'the dead toreador'. Sado-erotic drawings by the surrealist Masson. A stage curtain by Picasso. Plus there are photos of bullfight statues and posters galore. . . . Oh yea then theres the gore. Well after all this is an anti-bullfighting book. Don't worry only about four photos.Note that this is not a official art book and thus the art reproductions do not have any explanatory captions.. That's ok because this is a wonderful bullfight art collection. Well look here the author is a professor of art. Great job Ms. Elisabeth.

Actually, I thought that Hardouin Fugier's book was not an "anti-bullfighting screed" but an extremely well-argued and beautifully written account of the history of the corrida, written from the standpoint of resolute and steadfast but intelligent opposition. She avoids dwelling too much on the (usually unproven) allegations of some activists about the way that the bulls are treated before the corrida and talks about what we all know, that it is an indefensible activity in itself. She examines intelligently the myths that helped to glorify and glamourise bullfighting and those who make a living out of it. She examines the psychological appeal of the bullfight and gives credit where credit's due to aficionados and others who don't share her views but have contributed to the debate. One of the things she examines is the fact that euphemistic language and symbolism and rituals disguise the reality and frequently what the corrida is thought to be bears absolutely no resemblance to what actually happens. This book is a must read for anyone who feels strongly about the subject. If you are an aficionado you may, however, find this book extremely offensive, but not because there is anything crude or inaccurate within its pages, but simply because she is telling the truth and the truth hurts.

das Bullfighting Buch von Hardouin-Fuguer ist das beste, was man als engagierter Antitaurino derzeit bekommen kann. Es demaskiert die verlogene Kulisse, die um den Stierkampf gesponnen wird, total.Stierkampf ist keine Kunst, sondern ein perfider Missbrauch tierischer Instinkte zur sadistischen Belustigung.Der Prozess der "Humanisierung des Stierkampfes" (Was auch immer das im Kontext meint) von seinen Anfängen als primtive Fortsetzung der Autodafes über die Jahrhunderte zur nicht weniger dummen Verkünstelung wird gut beleuchtet.Der Kunstbegriff am Stierkampf entsteht nur in den Halluzinierereien der Zuschauer, nicht aber an dem, was sich in Realität abspielt.Negativ ist, dass H.-F- zu sehr nur den Kunstaspekt, weniger den biologischen betont.