Tales of the Alhambra

A Series of Tales and Sketches of the Moors and Spaniards

By: Washington Irving

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Written in 1831, Irving's dreamlike description of the Alhambra, the beautiful Moorish castle that defined the height of Moorish civilization, and the surrounding territory of Granada remains one of the best guidebooks to the region and one of the most entertaining travelogues ever written.

A heady mix of historical fact, medieval myth and mystery, sensual descriptions, and an appreciation for a civilization which valued beauty, philosophy, literature, science, and the arts on an equal level with warrior skills. Secret chambers, desperate battles, imprisoned princesses, palace ghosts, and fragrant gardens, described in a wistful and dreamlike eloquence will transport the listener to a paradise of his own.

The narrative is bewitchingly enhanced by Spanish guitar music. Tales of the Alhambra is a delightful offering for the romantic on anyone's holiday list.

(P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Spellbinding collection beautifully read

Tales of the Alhambra is a fascinating collection of first person travelogue, history, and delightful legends and tales of the place. What holds it all together is that Irving, in the 1830s, lived in the place. He had a strong command of Spanish, and so was uniquely qualified to serve as guide and storyteller. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which whetted my appetite for visiting Granada and the Alhambra.

The Wonderful Magic and History of the Alhambra!

I have just returned from visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. What a delight to hear Washington Irving's stories of the time he lived there and also the magical, mystical tales of Granada! I enjoyed the voice of the narrator too.

Olde Worldy travel guide

I love Ralph Cosham and had just finished The Alchemist and A Thousand and One Nights and so thought I'd enjoy this. A bit too slow for me and the language is pretty out dated being written in the 1830's(?). Good for another time maybe.

Wonderful Stories

I can hardly express how much I enjoyed this book! The detail that Irving wrote allowed me to see what he saw in the Alhambra, along the road to from, and the environs of Granada with great clarity. The way he describes the people--in real life and in the stories--caused me to see and understand them well; additionally the descriptions are frequently rather funny. The stories are in the Arabian Nights tradition and throughly enjoyable. Each one is interesting, exciting, and has an ending in which right triumphs. The end of each story left me with a positive sense of satisfaction. This entire volume is appropriate for family listening; perhaps something much better to excite imagination than a pile of DVDs for the kids on a family vacation road trip.

The reader has a voice that fits perfectly with the material. I found him easy to listen to and clear in his reading. As the book ended I felt truly sad that it was over. I will listen to this book again, and I don't think or feel that way about most of the books I listen to even if I have truly enjoyed them. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who savors wonderful stories, read well.

Alhambra

Excellent book, I couldn’t stop listening, I felt as if I was in the Alhambra