Old Puglia: A Cultural Companion to South-Eastern Italy

by Desmond Seward, Susan Mountgarret

In recent years, tourists have discovered the rustic charms of Puglia, also known as Apulia, the heel stretching down from the spur of the Italian boot. The region boasts beautiful landscapes and miles of dramatic coastline, cities with Romanesque cathedrals, Gothic castles, and a tremendous wealth of Baroque architecture, as well as rupestrian churches containing Byzantine frescoes. Yet until this book, almost nothing about the region had been published in English since the days of Norman Douglas and the Sitwells. Filling that gap, Old Puglia is an entertaining exploration of the area and its historical influences, cultural sites, and emerging popularity.

Now fashionable as the “new Tuscany,” Puglia is featured on radio and television; travel supplements describe its beaches and cooking; and supermarkets worldwide stock Apulian wine, olive oil, bread, and pasta. Desmond Seward and Susan Mountgarret introduce readers to the story behind the destination, as they combine in-depth writing on Puglian history with discussions of the area’s contemporary culture. A fascinating look at a region whose ancient roots continue to delight modern enthusiasts, Old Puglia will entertain travelers, history buffs, and everyone with a taste for Italy.

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction, European History, History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Desmond Seward was an Anglo-Irish popular historian and the author of over two dozen books. He was educated at Ampleforth and St, Catherine's College, Cambridge. He was a specialist in England and France in the Middle Ages and the author of some thirty books, including biographies of Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry V, Richard III, Marie Antoinette and Metternich.

Reviews

[Yigal Zur · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is an interesting companion to travel in puglia. from few reasons it doent copy past the same details that other guide are doing and you see over and over the same info. it does bring a lot of information mainly from old tale travelers which is fun to read. some time the tone is flat and boring but there are enough gems so you can ignore it.

[Susan Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting details about the history of Puglia organized by town/events- sometimes bogged down with too much historical detail which makes for heavy reading.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read this book in advance of an upcoming trip to Puglia because I thought it would provide interesting and useful background information . As a frequent traveler and a bit of a history buff I do this frequently prior to trips abroad.
Most of the time the books I choose add greatly to my appreciation of the region or country I'm planning to visit. In this instance I'm certain that won't be the case. The book is entirely disconnected from the modern day region, but more significantly it is so poorly organized and written that it was a torture to read.
While I appreciate all the research that must have been done to compile the history of Puglia (hence, the two stars), it is so dense and so monotonous that it made my eyes glaze over. As a book whose intent it is to be a cross between a history text and a travel guide, it does neither well. The back cover says it's "highly readable." Don't believe it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thia is an excellent book to read if you are planning a visit to Puglia. That was my reason for picking this up, and I found it informative and useful, with lots of background history. It is essentially a collection of historical stories, a bit disjointed, but fascinating. I read parts of it to my travelling companions - as it is much better than a guidebook for imparting color and personality to the region.

Only after I finished the book. did O find, after the Acknowledgements, that there was a Chronology (super helpful because if the multitude of raiders and immigrants), a list of rulers , and best if all an Historical Gazetteer - a list of all the Puglian cities mentioned in the book. with a concise history of their relative historical significance and the page references in the book to where they are mentioned. Don't miss this part!

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the history of southeastern Italy. I was drawn to this book because my father's family emigrated from Peschici in 1920. Now I have a clearer understanding of the reasons for coming to America.

[r · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gargano werewolves and angels reversing arrows, the fox cult, and terrifying bacchic tarantismo! While I wish the book provided more than a mention of WWII history, it was overall very comprehensive and engaging. My heart is in Puglia <3

[Arianna Beall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting as a reference material for any background you might need on the region. I especially appreciated references to literature for further reading.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A v good summary of the history of the Apulian region. Headed there soon, so wanted to read a bit about the region.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

On page73 of 435.

This was a good read...further explains the history of the region.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of information but poorly written and organized.