Narratives of smaller countries/regions
July 7, 2022 1:20 AM Subscribe
I recently read and enjoyed The History of Bhutan by Karma Phuntso. I’m looking for similar books that delve into the history and culture of smaller countries/regions. Any part of the world works for me!
What I’m not looking for: travelogues by Europeans during the colonial period and texts that are written with an obvious political bias (any side of the political spectrum).
What I’m not looking for: travelogues by Europeans during the colonial period and texts that are written with an obvious political bias (any side of the political spectrum).
Best answer: I’m currently reading The Basque History of the World by Mark Kurlansky.
posted by kevinbelt at 4:20 AM on July 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 4:20 AM on July 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Making Sense of the Troubles: A History of the Northern Ireland Conflict by David McKittrick
Pretty balanced book about Northern Ireland.
posted by knapah at 4:27 AM on July 7, 2022
Pretty balanced book about Northern Ireland.
posted by knapah at 4:27 AM on July 7, 2022
Best answer: Our Mothers’ Land, on Wales.
Rosalind Mitchison’s history of Scotland.
Some of Alistair Moffat’s books might work. He has one on the Scottish Borders, for instance. His latest, which I haven’t read, is The Secret History of Here.
The Life and Death of St Kilda.
Shapwick, if you don’t mind archaeology with some history.
posted by paduasoy at 2:08 PM on July 7, 2022
Rosalind Mitchison’s history of Scotland.
Some of Alistair Moffat’s books might work. He has one on the Scottish Borders, for instance. His latest, which I haven’t read, is The Secret History of Here.
The Life and Death of St Kilda.
Shapwick, if you don’t mind archaeology with some history.
posted by paduasoy at 2:08 PM on July 7, 2022
Best answer: While obviously on a city and not a country, Samir Kassir's Beirut might be of interest.
posted by Ahmad Khani at 2:14 PM on July 7, 2022
posted by Ahmad Khani at 2:14 PM on July 7, 2022
Best answer: Richard Foltz, The Ossetes: Modern Day Scythians of the Caucasus
posted by Morpeth at 3:55 AM on July 8, 2022
posted by Morpeth at 3:55 AM on July 8, 2022
Best answer: There are lots of books on the Languedoc and the Cathars. I can’t find the details of the one I read, but some are discussed here.
posted by paduasoy at 3:27 PM on July 8, 2022
posted by paduasoy at 3:27 PM on July 8, 2022
Best answer: Came back to add The Debatable Land by Graham Robb. Border territory England / Scotland.
posted by paduasoy at 9:06 AM on July 19, 2022
posted by paduasoy at 9:06 AM on July 19, 2022
Response by poster: I've started with Mark Kurlansky's book on the Basque region and it is exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks to everyone!
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 6:50 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 6:50 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
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posted by crocomancer at 1:34 AM on July 7, 2022 [4 favorites]