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Into The Arena : The World of the Spanish Bullfight
 
 

Into The Arena : The World of the Spanish Bullfight [Kindle Edition]

Alexander Fiske-Harrison
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Kindle Price: £7.59 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Product Description

Review

`Arguably the most engaging study of bullfighting ... since Hemingway's 'Death in the Afternoon' ... controversial, thought-provoking and highly recommended' --Jason Webster, author of 'Duende: A Journey In Search Of Flamenco'

`Bold, provocative and morally searching, Fiske-Harrison writes about the bizarre and arrogant world of bullfighting with passion and deep knowledge' --Michael Jacobs, author of 'Factory of Light: Life in an Andalucian Village'

"An informed piece of work." --Daily Mail, May 27, 2011

"An engrossing introduction to Spain's 'great feast of art and danger'." --Sunday Times, May 29, 2011

"An engrossing introduction to bullfighting." --Financial Times, June 4, 2011

"An informative and breathtaking volume of gonzo journalism." --The Herald (Scotland), May 27, 2011

Book Description

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2011 Alexander Fiske-Harrison has spent a year travelling with bullfighters to watch them work in the bullrings and ranches of Spain. Along the way he has entered the ring and ran with the bulls in Pamplona and trained with world famous matador Eduardo Dávila Miura and is on a personal quest to fight a bull in the ring with the aim of winning

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1341 KB
  • Print Length: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Profile Books (26 May 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005IYT9X2
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #90,060 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Ole! 4 July 2011
By Nutmeg
Format:Paperback
Condemn bullfighting if you must but read this book first and at least it will be a qualified judgement!
The British author has lived amongst the toreros, bull breeders and aficionados in Spain and his insight into this closed and alien world is at once enlightening, exciting and disturbing. Opponents of the spectacle will find a remarkably balanced argument for and against presented with a host of facts and statistics which cannot fail to challenge any pre-conceptions. The author's ultimate test of his impressive resolve and raw courage is the final act of killing a 300kg bull in the ring after only limited training, albeit at the hands of some of the best exponents of the corrida currently on the circuit. This book entertains, shocks and undeniably demands a reaction from the reader. Scrupulously researched comparisons between ritual killing in the bullring and the beef farming alternative make for fascinating reading as does the detailed background description of the bull breeding infra structure which has shaped the very appearance of the terrain of vast tracts of rural Spain. Highly recommended!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this book incredably interesting and informative. Every chapter started with an educational intro into the terminology of Bullfighting "moves/passes" and contained an episode in alex's entry into the world of the bullfighter from spectator to fighter.
I would recommend this book to anybody with an interest in bullfighting, it even presents an interesting point of view on the ethics of bullfighting.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars at last a book that tells it as it is 21 Oct 2012
By johnp
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have lived in Spain for 8 years and have been to possibly 4-5 corridas
a year and have found it an amazing experience. This book has given me an
insight behind the arena makes no excuses and describes the moral dilema
all aficionados feel.Well written and well done.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars SO so
An okay read, although a bit boring in sections. A bit too much detail in some sections blah blah blah
Published 4 months ago by Pam
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read
This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Bullfighting and the way of life that surrounds it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Matty B
2.0 out of 5 stars anecdotal
There is no way, in my view that this book can be compared to Hemingway's "Death in the Afternoon." "Into the Arena" is much slighter and lacks the intensity and passion of... Read more
Published 9 months ago by wordparty
1.0 out of 5 stars What was the motivation? I'm unclear - for or against the torture and...
Yes, the book might seek to raise awareness of the culture and history supporting this 'sport' (and seeks to liken the bull's treatment and death to other ways employed in breeding... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tiddlywinks
1.0 out of 5 stars Disgusting
"the climax of the book is to go into the ring and win" Hang on a minute while I stop laughing.

The bull NEVER wins. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Wendy
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced and lively. Deals with issues head on. Recommended
The author immersed himself into the world of bullfighting to research this book and this has resulted in a high quality and well balanced read. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ivor Gudbuk
3.0 out of 5 stars Death in the afternoon in disguise
This book has great similarities to Hemmingway's death in the afternoon. I actually found this an easier read as the aforementioned as it was written around 2008 rather than the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Nilito
5.0 out of 5 stars To fight the bull - or not?
A very well written and thought provoking read on a difficult subject. The author doesn't try to persuade you one way or the other on the merits of bullfighting, indeed he doesn't... Read more
Published 22 months ago by dadams
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and thought provoking
I am a fan of bullfighting and have read most books in English on the subject. Most authors tend to be very dull, too technical or lacking in passion. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Accipitor
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
Highly recommend this book as an introduction to bullfighting for someone with no prior knowledge or to someone who is interested in it, the culture and the personalities within... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Alex. London
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Bullfighting: Art, Sport, Cultural Throwback or Moral Horror 0 8 Aug 2012
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