Combining history and anecdote, Barry Hatton paints an intimate portrait of a fascinating country and its people. Portugal, an established member of the European Union and a founding member of NATO, remains largely overlooked on the continent's south-west rim. Hatton shines a light on this enigmatic corner of Europe by blending historical analysis with personal anecdotes, exploring the unique idiosyncrasies of the Portuguese and the eventful path that shaped their nation. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Portuguese led Europe into the Atlantic, connecting Asia and Europe. Their once vast empire is still felt today, particularly through the Portuguese language, spoken by over 220 million people worldwide. The narrative also delves into present-day society and culture while reflecting on Portugal's tumultuous past, including the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, which significantly influenced European thought, and the lengthy dictatorship under António Salazar. The 1974 Carnation Revolution brought Portugal to the forefront of Cold War dynamics, while the nation's quirky relationships with Spain and England are also examined. Despite its small size, Portugal boasts a diverse array of landscapes and an easygoing lifestyle, particularly evident in its culinary traditions. Hatton, a veteran journalist and commentator on Portugal, provides a thorough overview of his adopted country, drawing on over twenty years of experienc
