TALES OF THE ALHAMBRA & CHRONICLE OF THE CONQUEST OF GRANADA

by Washington Irving

"Tales of the Alhambra" is a collection of essays, verbal sketches and stories about the Moors and Spaniards. Through these stories, sketches and essays it is described the author's journey through Spain in Andalusia, where he gives a general description of the country and people. The collection consists of around 30 Tales about the Alhambra, the city castle of the last Moorish rulers in Al-Andalus. The stories are dealing, for the most part, with after-Moorish period in which the Alhambra has been managed as a possession of the Spanish kings and was left to decay. "Tales of the Alhambra" is translated into many languages and is considered one of the most important works of the author.
During Irving's stay in Spain, after the success of his previous books, he was invited to stay at the palace of the Duke of Gor, who gave him unfettered access to his library containing many medieval manuscripts. It took him just a year to complete The Chronicles of the Conquest of Granada. The book is covering the long process of banishing the Moors from Spain and Portugal.
Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. Irving also served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

385 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2025

About the author

People remember American writer Washington Irving for the stories " Rip Van Winkle " and " The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ," contained in The Sketch Book (1820).

This author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle to begin his literary career at the age of nineteen years.

In 1809, he published The History of New York under his most popular public persona, Diedrich Knickerbocker.

Historical works of Irving include a five volume biography of George Washington (after whom he was named) as well as biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and several histories, dealing with subjects, such as Christopher Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra, of 15th-century Spain. John Tyler, president, appointed Irving to serve as the first Spanish speaking United States minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

Reviews

[J.S. Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting work from not only a historical standpoint, but a cultural one as well.
Most people don't realise that Washington Irving of Rip Van Winkle/Sleepy Hollow fame was also an accomplished United States diplomat, a historian and a biographer.

[Jenny Ilderton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Travelogue/history/legend from the 1830s! Would be great to read aloud around a fire.

Well, I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would and it wasn’t exactly what I expected, either! I vaguely remember reading the Legend of Sleepy Hollow in school and hearing this title listed among Irving’s other classics in the Author’s card game we played as a child. But after visiting the Alhambra this summer I felt it was time to give it a go. I thought it would be exclusively Moorish/Spanish legend. But it is so much more than that. Imagine reading a travelogue written in the 1830s to romantic, exotic Granada. Irving lushly describes the journey and ascent to what was then a partially ruined palace of Alhambra where he is invited to stay as a guest! As he begins to show us different rooms and views, he also introduces us the people who live in the Alhambra as caretakers and weaves through our journey the secrets and tales behind the walls, fountains, towers, and even the mountain the Alhambra was built upon. I really enjoyed being immersed in the stories from cultures that crossed centuries and faiths but all linked to this one very special place. And I am thankful that Irving took the time to learn these stories and tell them in his own wonderful voice. I often thought what fun it would be to read aloud sitting round a fire as he has such gift for drawing the reader right into the palm of his hand.

[David K. Glidden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eminent early 18th century American author, Washington Irving wrote these two works in the course of his presence in Spain as the American ambassador and anthropological researcher.

The first book concerns the history and folklore surrounding Alhambra, the last Moorish Kingdom before its final conquest by Catholic King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492. Irving narrates its history and its Moorish legacy of an amazing set of mystical tales that Irving reconstructed and doubtlessly embellished. They are captivating!

The Chronicles are Irving‘s highly detailed history of the final conquest of Moorish Granada. It Is a history of violence, brutality, juxtaposed against the chivalric traditions which cloaked such inhumanity in a gauze of honorable traditions. It is fascinating to read to read Irving‘s detailed reconstruction of those years.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

History from a Master Storyteller

This history of the fall of Grenada in 1492 as well as a series of stories and legends of the Alhambra is a good, if long, read. Irving brings his storytelling genius to bear in the descriptions of the Moors and Castilians as well as the personages and geography of Grenada and surrounds. Essentially two books - one of stories and legends of the Alhambra and one of the 10 year campaign to invest and capture Grenada. A well written collection.

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but too dated for my taste

[Becky]

I read this in anticipation for an upcoming cycling trip to the Andalucía region of Spain and found it delightfully informative with engaging tales of the legends from the Alhambra and Granada.

[Roy Kenagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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