Spain: The Kingdom of the Sun

by Claudia Martin

Illustrated with spectacular photographs, Spain showcases the jewel of southwestern Europe. From the stunning architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona in the north of the country, to the national parks of Alpujarras and Donana in Andalucia in the south, there are hundreds of miles of sights to explore with every chapter. Explore the Roman influences on the Iberian Peninsula and the vestiges of early Islamic rule in Córdoba. Spain also features everyday lifestyles of the people of the country including markets, food and fabulous flamenco dancing. Leaving the mainland behind, there is plenty more to see on the Canary Islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura and Balearic Islands of Majorca, Ibiza and Minorca to name just a few. Arranged by region, the book explores Spanish tradition and contemporary culture alike from medieval times to the present day. Presented in a landscape format and with expert captions explaining the fascinating stories behind each setting, Spain is a brilliant collection of images.

Genres: Spain, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 14, 2024

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Spain: The Kingdom of the Sun, is a breathtaking photography and information book all about Spain. This book is perfect for reminiscing about holidays there, for coffee table reading, or for exploring and discovering the history and beauty of Spain as a whole.
The photographs are stunning and made me want to just step into the book.
The book celebrates and showcases the many beautiful and historical places such as the architecture, national parks, beaches, culture, Roman and Islamic influences in the past, lifestyles, markets, food, dancing (flamenco) and much more.
The book is arranged by region, making it easy to find what area you want to read about and includes some fascinating stories and information that I didn't know.

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

WELL I’VE NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN, BUT I SURE WANT TO GO THERE…

…I hear that the buildings by Architect Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona are insane there, and that the cultural and geographical diversities in Spain from its legendary rice Paellas, Tempranillo wines, and savory Tapas appetizers; turquoise oceans, sandy white beaches and hot club scene; Flamenco dancers and castanets; Moorish Castillos and battlements; boundless cathedrals, including the El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of Saint James pilgrimage site; haunting Basque mountains and their mystical folklore; as well as the unexplained ancient megalithic astronomical architectural site on Minorca will always astound visitors there.

My intense curiosity about Spain and it’s expansive cultural diversity is only whetted after immersing myself in travel writer Claudia Martin’s feast for the eyes and soul, “Spain—The Kingdom of the Sun,” a sumptuous atmospheric photographic journey showcasing Spain’s aesthetically stunning millennia of ancient history of conquers and kings depicted throughout its multitude of languages, art, architecture, cuisines, history and folk traditions.

Organized by Regions of Spain, this breathtaking travelogue is photography rich and unlike many modern guidebooks, Martin lets the pictures do the talking. Except for brief narratives at the beginning of each section, text is limited to lovely descriptive captions for all of the photos.

I highly recommend “Spain” for everyone who is considering a trip to this gorgeous country, as well as a gift or coffee table edition for all former visitors who fell in love with this nation of cultural treasures. It’s probably the most spectacularly stunning guide book that I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. FANTASTIC!!!

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Claudia Martin, and Publisher Amber Books for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs showcase the amazing country of Spain. The book sections the country into geographical regions and has beautiful color photographs of people, culture, historical buildings, food, events, nature and more. This is perfect for the armchair traveler or as a souvenir for someone who has traveled to Spain. On a personal note I’m in the middle of planning a trip to Spain next month. While this isn’t a travel guide I have made note and added places to my travels based on this book.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much more to Spain than being one of the UK's favourite holiday destinations (primarily to holiday resorts on the coast and for sights such as the Bull Running, Flamenco and Tomatino) but rarely, tourists and travellers explore further inland and beyond

I will celebrate the metropolitan areas of Spain and the tourist destinations all day long for the contribution to Spains eceonomy, but as a passionate art lover, I am also about the ancient history, art and architecture of this stunning country and this is why Spain, by Claudia Martin is a 5+++ star read for me. It is simply beautiful, explores history from ancient to modern, every square mile, on every point of the compass and including the glorious landscaps of the Canary islands. The book also meets the people of spain, becomes immersed in their daily lives and celebrates the culture of this wonderful country

If you ever want to really explore Spain and go beyond the tourist traps and enjoy the rich culture and everything Spain has to offer, this book is perfect

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Amber Books and the author Claudia Martin for this beautiful arc. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous and informative, this book is great for world culture enthusiasts. There are plenty of beautiful pictures included throughout, providing depth to topics ranging from historical context, architecture and culture, to the arts and regional religious practices. The architecture was my favorite all in all.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Amber Books for providing this title in exchange for an honest review - I am interested in reading similar titles covering Spain and other countries as well.

[Sian Powpreek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book with stunning pictures and useful information. It includes mainland Spain, the Canaries and Balearics.

I like that the author hasn't always chosen the most obvious places for inclusion and that despite it being a picture book I still learnt about this stunning country.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review!

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another gorgeous travel book from Amber Books, that made me want to fly off to Spain and get away from the disappointing weather we’ve been having for months!

As always there were amazing photos with short text to explain what you’re looking at, making it easy to read. The book is split up into seven chapters including an Introduction, northern, central, eastern, and southern Spain, the Balearics, the Canaries plus the important Picture Credits.

I think my favourite photos were of the sunsets and stunning beaches of the Balearics, the medieval windmills of central Spain, the Alhambra and the Generalife palaces in Northern Spain.

I didn’t realise that the largest royal palace in Europe and the largest Renaissance building in the world are both in Madrid, or that copper, silver gold and other minerals have been mined in Northern Spain for over 5000 years! I also didn’t know that there are dozens of megalithic sites from the Bronze Age on the Balearic Islands of Menorca and Mallorca, or that Es Verda a rocky islet off Ibiza is said to be the home of the Sirens who tried to lure Odysseus as he sailed by!

I thoroughly enjoyed my armchair visit to Spain, as it brought back happy memories of previous holidays to Spain, and helped me discover new places to visit!

Highly recommended if you enjoy travel books.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and AmberBooks for my digital copy via the NetGalley app.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel the wonders of Spain from your armchair and prehapes add a few more destinations to your bucket list.
These beautiful photographs capture the very best that Spain has to offer from the diverse and dramatic natural landscapes with terrifying volcanos to tranquil beaches. Ancient and medieval wonders the cover the everything from Roman Iberia to the diverse and fascinating history of the Alhambra. Modern city life also makes an appearance leading they way seamlessly from architecture to the countries culinary delights.
We aren't limited by the mainland either both the Canereries and the Balearics are covered in exquisite detail.
This is a must have coffee table book that will not only be a conversion piece but also a magical escape on those cold and wet days.

[AnnieM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been to Spain a few times and after reading this beautiful book, I want to go back pronto! The photographs are absolutely beautiful - from natural landscapes, architecture, people, food -- it captures it all. There are photos of the running of the bulls, paella, Guggenheim museum in Bilbao among many other images. There is just a little text but each photograph has a very detailed description. The book also covers the Iberian islands (Mallorca is one of my all time favorites) and the Canary Islands. A beautiful book to look at and dream about voyaging in Spain!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd, for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay no, this isn't all right, how have I never been to Spain?? I studied Spanish in college and I've read a little about Spain, but this collection of stunning photos made me realize I need to know a lot more, and I need to learn first hand.
This author knows the most famous Spanish landscapes, but there were a lot here that I never heard of. I highly recommend this as a gift, as a coffee table book, and for anyone who wants to feel inspired to travel.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love destination books by Claudia Martin. The descriptions are just enough to satiate my curiosity and the images are second to none. Truly. The photographs captured bring Spain to life in a whole new way. I have been to many of the locations in this book and seeing the pictures affirmed my mind’s eye memories. A welcome addition to any destination collection or library.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Lyndsey Bookish Nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~~~

This is a wonderful photographic collection of Spain. It is broken up into 7 sections: Introduction, Northern Spain, Central Spain, Eastern Spain, Southern Spain, The Islands: Balearics, and The Islands: The Canaries. The photos do a great job encompassing Spain's history, terrain, and culture. I'm getting ready to visit Spain myself in a few months, and I'm looking forward to it even more now! Highly recommend this book. It'd be a good coffee table book or one in a waiting room.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous! I knew Spain was more than the well known and obvious tourist traps, but I had no idea of just how many incredible hidden and not so hidden gems await me.

Sorted by mainland region and then onto the Spanish islands, this book has lots of information and an abundance of breathtaking photographs.

Lots of new places on our must-see list for our next visit to beautiful Spain.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Claudia
Martin and Amber Books for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to hop on the next plane, with my camera bag, to Spain, but I don’t know where to start because I want to see all of it! No really, Barcelona, hiking the Paranyse? Yes to all of that and everything in between. The photography is beautiful; some images are a full two-page spread. It is a dream for me to take pictures and write travel photobooks. I will be browsing through this book for a long time.

Thank you, NetGalley and Amber Books, for an advanced copy.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having visited Spain within the last year I was pleased to get the chance to see this book. It brought back memories of places I’d visited and showed me places I hadn’t, the information was very interesting as the history is old, the stunning architecture, the food, the scenery. Only thought I had was the photographs looked quite dated? Although in an ancient country like Spain I guess not a lot changes as it keeps its character.

#Spain #NetGalley

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of Spain and what do you think of. Many will think it’s just British bars and sunloungers. It’s so not. This book gives you all the must see in the beautiful country.
Full of exquisite photos with descriptions of the places and regions. I’m pleased to say that I have visit most of the places in southern Spain. I now want to pack a backpack and get exploring the rest of Espania.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see a DRC

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a thing for Spain.
I have always had a thing for photos.
And then, this book. It is like taking a trip all around Spain while staying at home. The photos have captured the essence of this sunny, beautiful country. There are big cities, small towns, tiny villages, all things touristy and small, hidden gems, it is all there.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had an apartment in Marbella for 25 years, and was shocked there isn't any photos from here. And I certainly wouldn't make a book about Spain without a photo from Sierra Nevada or from Semana Santa (Easter) in Sevilla or Malaga.
But the photos that are in the book, as well as the short texts, are great. A beautiful book.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Spain's rich history and culture. The illustrations are clear and beautiful, making it a great resource for those planning to travel to Spain.

Thank you to Claudia Martin, NetGalley and Amber Books for the arc of this book.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of photographs and facts about Spain that could entice anyone to want to travel to the Iberian Peninsula.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spain: The Kingdom of the Sun is a photo book for anyone longing to immerse themselves in the amazing Southern European country. The photo book is arranged by region, dividing the country into six parts: Northern Spain, Central Spain, Eastern Spain, Southern Spain, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands. Each section features a wide array of photos, each captioned with historical and cultural information about what is shown.

There are several types of photographs in display here. Most impressive are the pictures of architectural structures built throughout the centuries, from castles and cathedrals to aqueducts and monuments. Breathtaking nature shots are also included, showcasing mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and more. From Northern Spain’s lush green forests to Southern Spain’s sandy beaches, there is a such an expansive range of scenery to behold. And finally, this book also offers a glimpse into the lives of Spaniards, from celebratory events to day-to-day life. Photos of markets, festivals, bars, and regular homes give an intimate look at what Spain is really like today.

I was lucky enough to live in Spain on two separate occasions, first for three months in León, then for a full year in Valencia. I was able to travel arounds parts of Northern, Central, and Eastern Spain, and in going through this book, I was excited to see many destinations I remembered from my own travels. Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, Barcelona, and Valencia are all well represented here (though I do wish this book included some photos of Valencia’s architectural wonders). However, the region I found most beautiful is Southern Spain; it’s an area I would love to visit someday, and this book certainly whetted my appetite!

Spain: The Kingdom of the Sun is a great collection of Spain’s sights, complete with valuable insight about each photograph. I do wish it was a bit longer, with some of Spain’s more famous landmarks shown, but I also appreciate the attention given to normal life among Spaniards. This book would appeal to those who have been to Spain before as well as anyone who is interested in someday traveling to this incredible country.

Special thanks to Amber Books Ltd and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of the highly pictorial country guides from Amber Books, where the photos certainly take precedence, leaving just the captions to inform us of the history and geography of what we're seeing. And this is pretty much all of Spain we're getting a glimpse of, from Bilbao down to Ronda, and copious places in between. Here is the life of the place, too, as we're often informed of, if not shown, different festivals and celebrations, and we're taken to several food markets along the way. Yes, some of the images (a very aged doorway at one point, someone in a fooderie) are of the more pointless, airline magazine style, but generally we get great shots of everything from Atocha Station, Madrid, to the Gaudi houses of Barcelona, and right out to both groups of islands, from Puerto Soller to that there Robot Wars-inspired venue on Tenerife.

The fact I've only mentioned places from the book that I've actually seen in real life is not to boast, it's to suggest this is probably best as a souvenir, and for someone who's been about the country concerned. It's an appealing coffee table book, regardless, but beyond the waiting area of a Spanish-themed restaurant who has the need for such if it's to be idly looked at? You won't qualify as an expert in anything from the easily-read captions. But while I never really know who the target audience of these books is, I know they're to be appreciated for the visuals and the way they're produced very well indeed.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you took several random pictures from this book and saw them on their own with no explanation you’d think that they were from completely different countries. Alpine forest next to cacti, Prehistoric paintings next to surrealist masterpieces, Roman aqueducts and medieval castles next to the most modern buildings, Spain has it all. There are pictures of stores and cultural events, the serrano hams that are so normal in Spanish markets look exotic to everyone else. There are natural environments and human-made constructions, the one thing that all these photographs have in common is their high quality. The colors are beautiful and vivid. I lived in Spain for decades and, as much as I learned and visited, this volume featured many places that I hadn’t even heard of. The short texts accompanying the images are informative and fascinating. For armchair travelers, fans of history and readers who enjoy good photographs.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amber Books.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ stars/5.

This book is beautiful! I loved allllll the pictures, and am 100% ready to go back to the country and explore--everywhere!

It truly whetted my appetite and wanderlust, in the best of ways. Beautiful, and one I'll be purchasing once it releases.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of beautiful pictures perfect for any armchair travel. It made me wish I was there
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine