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Tom Schwarz's avatar

This is very coincidental as we are in Lisbon today and I was wondering how the English and the Portuguese both must have hated the Spanish back in the day and voilà, this arrives! I really didn’t know anything about Portugal before this trip and had decided to learn more. Starting now I guess. BTW, it’s beautiful, ridiculously inexpensive and the people extremely nice. Abrigago!

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Michelle Marmelo Pedro's avatar

And yes, the portuguese hated the Spaniards guts back in the day!

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Michelle Marmelo Pedro's avatar

Hi Tom! I'm glad you are enjoying my country! If you want some tips and to know more about Portugal you can ask me. I'll be glad to be of any assistance.

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Tom Schwarz's avatar

Obrigado! We only have one more day in Lisbon and the onto Madrid but for sure I want to know more about this wonderful country. Can you recommend a book?

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Michelle Marmelo Pedro's avatar

As a matter of fact I can! "Portugal, a Companion History" by my favourite portuguese historian José Hermano Saraiva. He was a great storyteller and had several TV programs. I actually met him once and he was a true gentleman.

I've read the Portuguese version and you just glide through it, a very pleasant and quick read.

You can probably find it at the oldest bookstore in Europe, Bertrand [the original store is in Chiado, Lisbon (exit tube station Baixa/Chiado in the Chiado direction)].

But you can also find it at Book Depository:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Portugal-Jose-Hermano-Saraiva/9781857542110

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Tom Schwarz's avatar

Thanks!

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Maureen's avatar

Every day is a school day 👏

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Michelle Marmelo Pedro's avatar

Yeah! Some portuguese (and english of course) history content! Thanks Dan, this is a treat for an English-born Portuguese like myself! I love this defining moment in portuguese history, a very important and interesting time indeed. If you're up for it, portuguese historical fiction writer Isabel Stilwell has a book about Phillipa of Lancaster's life translated in english. I think you can buy it from Amazon.

A great way to start the week!

Cheers!

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Julia Dietz's avatar

What is this? All history and no etc?

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Steven Batty's avatar

A very interesting piece, Dan. Added the Divided Houses o my next book order.

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Ger O Shea's avatar

I didn't know about this treaty. Very interesting.

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Ashley C.'s avatar

Very nice! Great to read something positive with my morning coffee instead of the usual news program.

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Dom Mac's avatar

Hi Dan - I ve just heard you on the Dana Schwartz podcast. Fantastic having both my favourite historians collaborating. Any chance of getting David Starkey on at a later date?

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Angus Roland's avatar

Great yarn, thanks Dan. In your considered opinion, is there a pure J.O'G bio that is head and shoulders above others?

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Valérie's avatar

Learned something new again.

By the way, is there something on record about how women felt about being married off, having to go to a foreign country?

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Tom Schwarz's avatar

ps. Are you reading my mind?

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