Synopses & Reviews
Lisbon: City of the Sea is a beautifully written portrait of a much loved city, from its origins in Greek legend to the present day. Malcolm Jack vividly captures the rich and unique history of this haunting and attractive port whose prominent position on the Tagus estuary has inextricably bound its character with the sea. Beginning with its earliest inhabitants, Jack traces Lisbon's life through its imperial success in the 16th century and the devastating earthquake that humbled the city and shocked Europe in 1755 to its current position as a vibrant and successful European capital. Stressing the importance of its foreign population in its artistic and social development, he draws out its cosmopolitan nature, as well as its colorful culture and self-image. Engaging and accessible, this book will appeal to Lisbon's many visitors as well as anyone interested in European history.
Review
"Any good historian must provide an engaging narrative, be able to relate ideas to history and provide savoury anecdote. Malcolm Jack does all of these things." - Philip Jenkins, Anglo-Portuguese Society Newsletter Praise for Malcolm Jack's Sintra: A Glorious Eden:
'Malcolm Jack's sensitive tribute examines Sintra both as cultural construct and as historical palimpsest…[His] own enchantment with the town is strong enough to convince us that this remarkable spot will somehow survive Lisbon's invidious suburban creep northwards' Jonathan Keates, Times Literary Supplement
'Sintra: A Glorious Eden is both a labour of love and a committed and accomplished work of scholarship - enjoyable as well as informative. It puts Sintra more vividly than ever on the map of geography and civilization, but also charts an important pattern of cultural change and cross-cultural influences within the European context' Vincent Newey, Byron Journal
About the Author
Malcolm Jack has written about eighteenth-century philosophy and literature and has edited the works of both Lady Wortley Montagu and William Beckford. His most recent book, Sintra: A Glorious Eden, was published in 2002. He lives in Portugal.
Table of Contents
Maps * List of Illustrations * Acknowledgements * Preface * From Mythical to Medieval City * The Imperial City * The Holy City * Earthquake City * Foreigners' City * From Royal to Republican City * The White City * Chronological Table * Kings, Queens and Rulers of Portugal * Bibliography * Index