Monday, November 3, 2008

Guernica by Dave Boling



Review and Giveaway

Guernica by Dave Boling

Fiction, hardcover, 367 pgs.
Bloomsbury USA


Author's site: http://daveboling.com/

Guernica is a wonderful story, beautifully written. The history alone is fascinating, and told from the perspective of a tough but loving and loyal Basque family in the Spain of the 1930s, it becomes entirely alive to us. Justo Ansotegui and his two brothers grow up without the benefit of parents. One brother becomes a priest, Justo's daughter Miren marries Miguel Navarro, a woodworker. They are a strong family who together experience the squeeze of food shortages, arrests and disappearances of dissenters, threats of war. They stick together through it all. Then tragedy strikes.

Considerable research has gone into the telling of this story. Many of the figures of the time are real: General Franco, President Aguirre, Wolfram von Richtofen, brother of the famous Red Baron. The latter is the one who organized the bombing of the Basque village, which had no military targets. It was a Nazi experiment that remains a shocking example of innocent civilians attacked for the sake of testing strategy. The world was horrified. The author deliberately "tried not to tax the reader with elaborations on the complex and volatile politics at the time-especially the strange and sometimes shifting alliances, parties, and labels-but rather to establish a general context of the poverty, oppression, instability, and disenfranchisement that common citizens would have felt."

It is the personal story that interests us. How the Basque culture and language were outlawed in Spain. How they fiercely and loyally resisted attacks from all factions, smuggling those trying to escape from the Nazi's across the mountains out of France, or helping downed Allied pilots escape and get home again.The shipping of the Basque children to England is true and tenderly told. There is heartbreak in this story but there is so much love, and hope too, even after the worst kinds of suffering.Guernica is a story that needs to be told. Five stars, highly recommended. You owe it to yourself to read it.

CymLowell


I have arranged through Bookmooch to acquire TWO copies of Guernica to give away to my readers. They are in very good condition, gently read. This is a giveaway I am proud to have.

Entry is open worldwide until midnight Saturday, November 8, 2008 as part of Book Carnival Giveaway: http://bookroomreviews.wordpress.com/

For an entry:
1) Consider subscribing or following my blog, or putting a link to Fresh Ink Books on your blog roll. OR just leave a relevant comment on one of my previous book reviews. * If you already subscribe or follow me and would like to win Guernica, just remind me in your comment and you're entered!

2) Blog about this giveaway and put a link back to it and I'll give you a SECOND entry. If you don't have a blog, email 4 friends telling them about this giveaway copying me at sfuhringer(at) sympatico(dot) ca.

CLARIFICATION: You must qualify for the FIRST entry before you can earn a SECOND. Blogging about it or linking to this giveaway alone will not get you an entry. Sorry, but I'm interested in readers and commenters, not traffic.
Please leave a contact address if you're entering the giveaway and don't have a blog where I can contact you.

Winner will be announced on Sunday, November 9, 2008.

64 comments:

  1. Great giveaway Sandra! I'm very interested in reading Guernica - I've been reading some great reviews!!

    I've added you to my blog roll (couldn't believe I hadn't already) and subscribed to your posts via Google Reader / Following.

    Please include me in your drawing! wbarker (at) hotmail.com

    I'm giving away 10+ books to 4+ winners! To enter
    click here!


    Take care ~ Wendi

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  2. Don't enter me - the book is waiting patiently in my TBR pile. After reading your review, I want to move it to the top.

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  3. I've subsribed to your post via Google Reader. Thanks for entering my name! Have a great day!

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  4. I already had you on my blog role and I have now subscribed to your feed.
    Please enter me for this contest. Your review has intrigued me so much and I would really love to win and read this book.
    Thanks.
    Tamara
    ptbaff@cogeco.ca

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  5. I would love to enter your giveaway, and I subscribe to your blog in google reader...I'm participating in nano this month so I may be scarce.

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  6. I have posted your contest in my sidebar feature!

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  7. Okay, I'll sound like a nerd for saying this, but I totally wrote a paper about this time period of Spanish history. It's so fascinating! Off to see your other reviews...

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  8. would love to read this...have subscribed and when I get home this afternoon will blog...would love to read this...please enter me- thanks so much!mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

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  9. Hi Sandra I already subscribe thru google reader and I have ben looking forward to your review. I am also putting your contest on my blog
    Thanks for another great review and contest.

    florida982002@yahoo dot com

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  10. Hi, please enter me. This looks like a really interesting historical read. (P.S Just left a comment on your latest Sunday Salon post.)

    I'm also giving away an historical novel - perhaps the finest I've ever read:

    http://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/tss-what-lazysiddal-did-or-rather-didnt-do-desert-island-book-3-and-a-giveaway/

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  11. Thanks for a great review! I'd love to read this. You are in my reader already!

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  12. This book is on my "need-to-read" list. Winning it would be excellent. Thanks!

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  13. Hi !

    I'm interested in the book and i would like to enter the contest please :)

    Thanks

    (acrisalves AT gmail DOT com)

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  14. I've posted at Win A Book. No need to enter me in the contest.

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  15. Sounds like a very good read. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. I subscribed to your rss feed in a reader, and I would love to win a copy of this book!

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  18. I am definitely interested in reading this book!

    I subscribe to your feed in my Bloglines account, and have added you to my blogroll.

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  19. I followed your blog. Love a chance to win this. :D

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  20. I have hear nothing but good things about this book. I had not know previously, anything about the incident in the book. But I seem to read a lot of books about adversity and persecution, and I think that I would get caught up in this story.

    I have toyed with creating a Bloglines account for a while. So now after coming across your blog (via LT) I've started it up and we are off and away! I expect to subscribe to more blogs than I can possibly keep track on in the next few minutes! :)

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  21. I'm a total follower. ;) Thanks for the chance to win Sandra!

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  22. Sounds like a great book and I love history.

    Thanks for having the giveaway!

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  23. Hi Sandra, I own this one so no need to enter me, I just wanted to say hi and thanks for participating in the carnival:)

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  24. I've heard such good things about this book! I'd love to be entered! Thanks!

    I already follow your blog via Blogger and I subscribe via Google Reader. I've also linked to the giveaway in my sidebar.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric
    diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  25. Hi - I added you to my blog lists and also blogged about you over at my site! Thanks for the giveaway!
    Kristi

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  26. Great review! It does sound fascinating! I'd love to have my name in for a chance to win.

    I already subscribe to your feed through Google Reader.
    And I've added your giveaway to my post here.

    Thanks.
    tanabata2000 at gmail dot com

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  27. I commented on your Matrimony review. I've heard about this book before and it sounds like a good read. I'd love to be entered. Thanks!

    sj3girls AT hotmail DOT com

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  28. Awesome ... thanks Sandra for making it worldwide :-)

    I would like to enter! I am already subscribed to your blog :-)

    I will put this giveawa onthe sidebar on my blog. :)

    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have been wanting to read this book since before it even came out.

    I just added your blog to my Google reader. I would love to follow your blog.

    I also posted your giveaway on my blog, here:

    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-weeks-givaways-galore.html

    My email is teddyr66 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great Giveaway please enter me!!

    Email is danmarugg at yahoo dot ca

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  31. Subscribed to your blog via Google Reader :) Thank you so much for the giveaway. I am a huge historical fiction buff and would LOVE to win Guernica!

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  32. I've been wanting to read this book since I first heard about it. I just subscribed to your blog.

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  33. I'm dying to read this book! I love Spain and anything to do with Spanish history and/or culture.

    I'm already subscribed to your blog via Google Reader.

    bluebyrd24 at gmail dot com

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  34. thank you for having this! THis looks and sounds like an excellent read. I also really enjoyed the review of Copy of Theives by David Benioff. Thank you!
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

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  35. I've added to you to my Google reader. I've gone back over and read a couple of your reviews, and I like what I've read so far!

    I'd love to be included in the drawing.

    -- Memory
    xicanti AT gmail.com

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  36. I am really looking forward to reading this book! I have subscribed to your blog on my Google Reader ... please enter me in the drawing ... and THANKS!!

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  37. From everything I've read about Guernica, it sounds like a book I'd love to read, and share with my son-in-law.

    I just subscribed to your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just added you to my reader. I think I'll like your reviews!
    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    You can contact me at ioscribacchina AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I subscribed through Google reader. The book sounds great-I love historical fiction!

    smchester at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Own it, read it, loved it, reviewed it (and interviewed Dave)... so don't enter me, but I wanted to say I enjoyed reading your review and totally agreed with this: There is heartbreak in this story but there is so much love, and hope too, even after the worst kinds of suffering.Guernica is a story that needs to be told.. I'm so glad you liked the book as much as I did!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please enter me into the giveaway! The book sounds great and I love historical fiction. I've left a comment at the link below:

    http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-hovering-flight-by-joyce-hinnefeld.html

    Thank you!!!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot).ca

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  42. Great giveaway! I already have your blog in my blogroll.

    outofblue1@gmail.com

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  43. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  44. Sandra - I have you in my blogroll :-) How do I prove it :-)

    and I have commented sometimes on our blog :-)

    m i eligible?

    have a good day!

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  45. Veens sweetie, you are one of my regulars. No worries, you're entered. :)

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  46. thank u :D :)

    thank u !

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  47. This is the first time I've heard of this book and it sounds really good. I'm glad to see you gave it high ratings. I was thrilled to add you to my blog roll! My blog is only a month old and I'm still learning. I've also subscribed to your posts. Thanks for your contest!

    www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com
    5wrights1@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  48. Such a lovely sounding story line and one I would really enjoy reading! I subscribed to you feed via my Yahoo Reader Page! Please enter me in your delightful book giveaway drawing. I appreciate it very much. Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I just signed up to follow your blog. The book looks wonderful!
    doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  50. With a review like the one you wrote how can I not want to read this book? It sounds terrific.
    I do subscribe to your blog and I will try to get this announced on my blog and will get back to let you know. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I have subscribed with Google Reader!
    Enter me please. Thanks

    axelrulz@hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I keep hearing such great things about this book! I really must make time to read it. Thank you for your great review.

    I'm not entering the contest since I already have a copy--but for the record, I subscribe to your blog through Google Reader. :-)

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  53. This story sounds wonderful. Would love to read it.
    Added you to my blog roll at
    http://toohotforturtle2.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm following your blog, and am hearing many interesting comments regarding Guernica. I'm curious and would love to read it.

    Please enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Reading your review on this book has made me want to read it! Please enter me into the drawing, thanks!

    Mariah
    penguinqueen@hotmail.com

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  56. Looks interesting. I'm following your blog. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  57. I'm entering! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  58. Great review! I will definitely read it. And I will add your blog to my blog roll. But you don't have to enter me in the contest -- it sounds like a book worth buying!

    By the way, we are in The Complete Booker together. So today is my day to check out the blogs of all my fellow participants. What an interesting and creative bunch of fellow readers! Keep up the good work!

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  59. Please enter me for this one!! I now follow your blog and would love to win this book:) THanks!!
    Michelle
    oshea(at)shaw(dot)ca

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  60. Sandra - no need to enter my name, as I've also read/reviewed *Guernica*.

    I wanted to say what a great review it is, and a generous giveaway you're holding. Nice addition for the "LT Authors Challenge"

    ReplyDelete
  61. I've got Guernica on my ARC-alanche pile and will be reading it this year, maybe in March. I had forgotten most of what it was about, other than it took place in Spain during WWII.

    Reading your review has made me eager to get to it :-)

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  62. I had never hard of this book but of course I am aware of the importance of Guernica and the Spanish Civil War. I have read Hemmingway and a couple of other books set in this time.

    This sounds like a different take on the era and I have added it to my wishlist.

    Thanks

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I think that this one definitely has to go on my to-buy list. Thanks for the wonderful review. I came over from Cym Lowell's Book Review party.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Beautiful Blog...new follower...Looks like a good book...stopping by from Cym Lowell's Book Review Party.

    Elizabeth

    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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