THE LAST OLD PLACE; A SEARCH THROUGH PORTUGAL

A look at Portugal through the eyes of two aging gentlemen discusses the country's history, its contributions to the modern world, its colonies around the world, its country fare, its people, and its landscape. 15,000 first printing.

A former American diplomat, linguist and ardent fly fisherman, Proper ( What the Trout Said ) combines a travel journal, rich in astute, witty commentaries on Portugal and its people, with self-revealing personal recollections. The route selected by the author and his 77-year-old Portuguese companion took them, on foot and by car, from Lisbon and the southern port of Sagres, from which Prince Henry the Navigator launched western expansion, to the northern Douro Valley, famed for its port wine. With a sure, deft touch, Proper evokes the essence of places as different as the walled city of Evora, replete with Roman-Moorish-Christian grandeur, and the inviting countryside, where they paused to sample savory fare and test the trout streams. The book offers an engaging portrait of a small country "top-heavy with history" and its hospitable though in many cases impoverished people. Illustrations.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

One of the most enjoyable ways to get to know a country is through reading autobiographical travel writing. Proper and his guide, a 77-year-old Portuguese, ramble throughout Portugal and reminisce about the history and heroes, language, culture, and character of the Portuguese people. The author frequently quotes from Luis Vaz de Camoes's The Lusiads, and he enlivens his work with subtle humor, whether describing quiet fishing expeditions or detailing culinary delights while conversing with locals in the countryside. His reflections are not light reading but more an intellectual study of many aspects of the country and its people. The coverage of his journey is well balanced and enriching. Recommended for more specialized collections.
- Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Osgoode, Ontario
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.