Guanches: Survivors and Their Descendants

by Jose Luis Concepcion

La Laguna. 21 cm. 83 p. il. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Concepción, José Luis 1948-. Bibliografí p. 79-[84]. En la ACIC, Asociación Cultura de las Islas Canarias. Guanches. Historia .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. 9788430078462; 8430078460

Genres: History

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Adam Marischuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book in English on a recent trip to Lanzarote for two reasons: 1) to share with my father who is interested in the history of the island and 2) because my ability to read Spanish is less than the author's ability to (self?) translate into English, him having lived in England for a decade. However, I regret this decision a little in that the numerous grammar errors or simple typos made fully understanding the text at times more difficult than necessary.

The book's central thesis is that the native population has survived (both culturally and genetically) as a majority on the island. The author does a good job proving this, though I think the majority of the readers (like myself) would be more interested in the culture than the fact that the local family restaurant's waitress boasts >50% Guanche blood.

The book can be roughly divided into four parts:
1) The Guanches (pre-contact)
2) Spanish Conquest
3) Colonial relations
4) a collection of black-white photos of people in the 1970s who had classical Guanche physiological features and practising classical Guanche activities such as whistling, dancing or herding.

I would have enjoyed more anthropological information on the native peoples, though I'm not certain how much additional information is available. The conquest could also have been improved with the inclusion of some maps and been less rushed.

Overall, a good introduction to the island for someone looking for a beach read.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Local History of the original inhabitants of the canary islands, the translation is not excellent but fully understandable. Nice little history about an often forgotten people who where conquered by the vanguard of European explorers.

[Rafa López · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro interesante que explica cual fue el origen de los guanches (aborígenes canarios) y como fue su vida antes y después de la colonización.
Me gusta el tema que trata, pero creo que tiene una versión un poco sesgada de los hechos. Es un texto demasiado corto y en algunos puntos parece faltar rigurosidad.
La escritura y edición no es muy buena, con algunas faltas y erratas.
A pesar de esto, me gusta el punto de vista que da (sabiendo de antemano lo que vas a leer), y te ayuda a comprender mejor como fue el desarrollo de este pueblo.

[JOAN BASSETS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un intent de presentar com investigació un recull històric discutible. El que és interessant és la descripció de l'ocupació de Canarias per part dels ocnqueridors castellans.
La resta, cal posar-ho en entredit, sense deixar de ser interessant.

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Information-wise a super interesting book to understand the origin of the Canarian people and the kolonisation process. It's not that well written (or translated) unfortunatly with some repititions.