Portugal: A Companion History

by José Hermano Saraiva, Ian Robertson (Editor), Ursula Fonss (Translation)

An illustrated brief history of Portugal written for non-specialist foreign readers. Also included in the book is a historical gazetteer, short biographies, chronological tables and maps.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Portugal, Travel

222 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1998

About the author

JOSÉ HERMANO SARAIVA nasceu em Leiria, a 3 de Outubro de 1919. Formado em Direito e depois em Ciências Histórico-Filosóficas, exerceu inicialmente a advocacia. Redactor permanente do Jornal do Foro, assumiu também a direcção jurídica da Gazeta do Comércio e Indústria.

Estreou-se com um livro de contos em 1944 e fez uma breve incursão como autor dramático, obtendo por duas vezes o prémio de peças para o Teatro do Povo com o drama rural Dinheiro Mal Ganho, 1949, e O Caminho da Esperança, 1960. Conserva-se inédita uma sua tragédia filosófica intitulada A Morte de Cícero, 1970.

Incondicional admirador de Salazar, a sua carreira de homem público veio a realizar-se dentro do regime, desde deputado da União Nacional, passando por procurador à Câmara Corporativa, até atingir a pasta da Educação, em 1968. Todavia, a crise de 1969 viria a afastá-lo. Passou então a dedicar-se mais a trabalhos de investigação e divulgação histórica, tornando-se popular através de uma presença regular na televisão. O seu discurso, no entanto, afastado da visão oficial, levantou reservas ao governo de Marcelo Caetano que preferiu afastá-lo dos ecrãs e enviá-lo para a Embaixada de Portugal em Brasília.

Através da televisão, granjeia uma enorme popularidade para os programas de história de Portugal, a que não é estranho o seu estilo de grande comunicador. Em 1989, numa altura de crise, aceita dirigir o vespertino Diário Popular, procurando salvar este da sua quebra de leitores, em 1989.

Membro da Academia das Ciências de Lisboa e da Academia Portuguesa da História, a sua obra de divulgação é vasta e abarca os mais variados temas da história nacional. Publicou, de autor anónimo, o livro Ditos Portugueses Dignos de Memória [1980], obra do século XVI para cuja edição elaborou notas e comentários onde a sua erudição está patente. Em 1983, dirigiu uma História de Portugal, agrupando à sua volta alguns nomes prestigiados da investigação nacional, e seguidamente dirigiu a edição portuguesa de uma História Universal (1985). A sua História Concisa de Portugal (1ª. ed. com três tiragens e 2ª. em 1978) é um caso invulgar na edição portuguesa, quer em tiragem total, quer em número de edições.
Faleceu em Palmela, a 20 de Julho de 2012.

Reviews

[Peter A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book about Portugal that I have read. The other two are by Barry Hatton (The Portuguese A Modern History) and by Martin Page (The First Global Village). Of the three, this one feels most conventional, in the sense of a chronological progress and relatively complete history, although by design focusing only on the political realm, since in the author’s words, since it is these (political events) “which act like the hands of a clock, enabling us to see and to make the changes continuously, imperceptively, wrought by time”. This book is helped by a wonder set of appendices of time lines, a brief history of key players and events, and a set of maps that lay out the growth of Portugal, its navigational accomplishments, its empire, over time.

While the book is concise, it is almost too much so. Its strength is being a metronome of time. However, the other two books, if read with this one, give a great deal of spice (interesting stories) and personal perspective that augments a rich history of a less than well-known nation in Europe.

There is still so much to learn about Portugal and the Portuguese, but that will have to wait for another visit. And there is more for the world to learn from Portugal and the Portuguese.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the main text, five stars for the maps, which really help put the voyages, discoveries, conquests and conflicts into spatial perspective.

The text is okay. It's serviceable, but ends up being a bit too concise to be a very enjoyable read. For a livelier account of Portugal's history (focusing on Lisbon), there's Queen Of The Sea: A History Of Lisbon. I've read both books in tandem, and they complement each other quite well.

[Calzean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish all history books were as well written. It is a brief overview so there are things missing or covered very briefly. I did like the structure, with the history, maps, short summary of various famous people and a short summary of the events occurring at major towns or cities. A great introduction to the Portuguese.

[Kostiantyn Levin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Жозе Германо Сарайва написав 1978-го року книжку з історії Португалії — História Concisa de Portugal — яка стала локальним бестселером, витримавши десятки перевидань. Але коли йому запропонували перекласти працю англійською, він запропонував наново переписати її для іноземних читачів. Так 1997-го року з'явилася ця книга. Хочеться, звісно, порівняти її з тим бестселером, бо якщо він написаний так само, то португальці доволі оригінальні в своїх вподобаннях. "Portugal: A Companion History" — стандартна історія королів і принців, війн, міжнародних альянсів, плюс ще трішки географічних відкриттів. Написана "як писали в старі часи" — нудно, схематично, але, що дуже добре, коротко. Містить величезний додатковий апарат, підготовлений іншими авторами, який становить більше третини обсягу — 14 історичних карт (кожна з розлогим поясненням), вставки з ілюстраціями, хронологічні таблиці, словник визначних подій та людей. Як на вступ до історії країни цілком згодиться, а взагалі-то історичні праці, призначені для широкої аудиторії, вже так не пишуть.

[Susan Abernethy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A link to my review of this book:

https://flhwnotesandreviews.com/2018/...

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to accompany a short holiday to Lisbon and Porto. I wanted a quick, basic Portuguese history. This does the job (which is good, as there don’t seem to be that many alternatives). It’s a straightforward narrative of events and fast and easy to read. I felt it could have done a little more to give context and a better sense of the place. Of the Portuguese discoveries of the sea routes to Asia and subsequent conquests, for example - how was this possible with such apparently small groups operating over such vast areas? The endless political machinations of the 19th century become a bit of a meaningless list of changes of government, when a bit more explanation of the underlying forces might have been better. It’s solid enough as an introduction, though, and I did read it on the Kindle while traveling, so did not really benefit from the maps or illustrations.

Two other recommendations - the “Rest is History” podcast has a very entertaining series of episodes covering Portugal. And Lisbon and Porto (and Coimbra) are great places to visit.

[Vandita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise history of Portugal - easy read in a couple of hours. Worth it as an introduction to the country. However it is written as a chronological sequence of events without much analysis or insights so can be quite dry reading.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in prep for a trip to Portugal and it was just the right level of detail for my purposed. Recommended if you're not familiar with the country's history and want a basic foundation for visiting the tourist spots.

[Chee Hwa Ng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very concise history of Portugal, written in a chronological order. There's a lot of information covered but without much elaboration of analysis, and the material was a bit dry.

Interesting but at times it felt like a history textbook.

[Nadiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reads too much like a school history book.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did its job of a general overview of portuguese history. Of course, I want to learn more about some periods, but that wasn't the goal of this book.

[Santiago Fraire Willemoës · Rating 4 out of 5]

a brief and good enough intro to Portugal's history

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great preparation for my trip to Portugal - not only does it have a 120-page history of the country, but it also contains a series of historical maps, chronology lists, a historical gazetteer, and a section of brief biographies. I'll be taking this handy little volume with me on my trip to refer to as I sight-see.

[Tony Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point. The maps in the back are awesome! And the book is well written and easy to follow, even with the many names and events. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Portugal or History.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am adamant that there seems to be no end of boring books in this world. Even if they do help you grasp something that you have by now doubtlessly forgot.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple read. A very cursory overview. Nothing special.

[Breanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but too brief history. Does not explain things fully enough, I needed Wikipedia a lot.

[Garth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a precursor to a visit to Portugal, I was unfortunately overwhelmed by the richness and my unfamiliarity with Portugal's history. Will need to re-read to do it justice.

[Qing Wang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a reasonably brief introduction of Portugal.

[Frederik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Portuguese history. Including very good historical maps. Good start into our 3 week travel.

[Try Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

He describes the brief history of Portugal. Afonso Henriques declared independent of Portugal from Spain in Guimaraes. They enlarged the country to the south. He introduced the gold coin for transaction hence he made country rich during his regime.
Portugal was courage and explored the world. Vasco da Gama found India. Pedro Cabral found Brazil. They did the trade across oceans from Europe to Brazil to Africa to Asia.