Lois asked Cynthia Fletcher Rothstein:

Could you tell me what other books you found interesting, readable and useful about Spain and Portugal? Thanks, Lois

Cynthia Fletcher Rothstein Hi, Lois. When I traveled to Portugal seven years ago, I had very little notice and a difficult time finding good books on the subject. I had much more time to plan for my 2015 trip to Spain, however, and found several excellent books. If you only read one, make it James Michener's Iberia. (Although Portugal is also on the Iberian peninsula, this book is only about Spain.) I don't know if you've read Michener before. His books are long, but entertaining and fascinating, so stick with it. (Skim over the slow parts, if you want.) You'll learn a boatload about the country. I also enjoyed A Traveller's History of Spain by Juan La Laguna. It is a history book, but it's very readable. I liked the timeline format. It helps put their history in perspective.
Two outstanding fiction books are For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, for a good understanding of the Spanish Civil War, and Winter in Madrid by CJ Sansom--a more personal account of living in Spain during the Civil War. Enjoy!

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