Old Calabria - Softcover

Douglas, Norman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1842124609 ISBN 13: 9781842124604

Publisher: Phoenix, 2001

Synopsis

When Norman Douglas visited Calabria, Italy in the early years of the 20th century, its wild, secluded, and enigmatic country attracted little interest and few tourists. But Douglas never followed the already-traveled path, and so, we have this classic in which he wittily escorts us from the promontory of Gargano to the tip of Aspromonte, and through the influences of many invaders. Elegant and literary, this remarkable travel book stands in a class of its own.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

First published in 1915, Old Calabria is one of the most comprehensive and exciting accounts of adventure travel in this century. Captivated by the cheerfully pagan quality of the mezzogiorno, as he understood it, Douglas plunged into Calabria, the southernmost and most backward part of Italy (a province that was still largely devoid of any form of modern amenity). He endured extremes of climate, scaled mountains, rode in rickety carriages driven by villainous coachmen, and traversed remote stretches of country where murderous groups of banditti were known to roam.

About the Author:

Norman Douglas was born in 1868 and was educated in England, Germany and France. He entered the diplomatic service in 1894 but was granted extended leave in 1896 to avoid a scandal. He settled in Italy and began to write seriously. Siren Land was published in 1911, Fountains in the Sand in 1912 and Old Calabria in 1915. Publication of South Wind in 1917 established his reputation but after this success he became and exile, living in Italy and travelling in India and Africa. He returned to England in 1942 but spent the last five years of his life in Capri, dying in 1952.

About this edition

• Publisher: Phoenix
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1842124609
• ISBN 13: 9781842124604
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384