Spain - a journey through history

There is no country in Europe that is as interesting as Spain, says Thomas Gustafsson, here with the first historic district in New Spain trilogy. Photo: Bjorn

Author with a passion for Spain

With his new book opens the author and journalist Thomas Gustafsson door to Spain's turbulent history. The reader is taken on a dizzying journey through time and space that provides a unique understanding of the Swedes' biggest tourist destination. - There are few countries where the story is equally present in the moment in Spain, says Thomas Gustafsson.

Ten years ago he came out with the acclaimed reportageboken Spain Sun and shadow. It has been sold out for many
years and are widely in demand. My first thought Thomas Gustafsson to update the content and publish a new edition of his old Spanienbok.
- But it had happened so much and would be so great changes that it became impossible, he says.
- Instead, I decided to implement a new book project.

Living History
The result was a whole new trilogy about Spain. The first stand-alone section with the subtitle A journey through the story was published in September 2009 and is about Spain's history from ancient times until today.
That the majority of non-fiction book series published just in 2009 is no coincidence. This year marks the seventy years since the Spanish Civil War ended. The last Franco statue is gone. Pact of silence has been broken. Therefore, Thomas Gustafsson, as he says, to finish their story.
- The truth about the civil war and dictatorship have now reached has made it possible for me to finish writing the section on Spain's recent history, he says.
Thomas Gustafson's history book is written in documentary reportage shape to, as he says, to bring his readers to the historical sites. He can then connect the past with the present in ways that would have been impossible if he had written more academic. The story is so vivid and the reader is drawn into the story.

Today's Spain
The second part of the trilogy with the subtitle A State number of nations is a modern non-fiction book that talks about politics, society and culture in Spain. Expected release is Spring 2010.
- The book that talks about today's Spain is more journalistic than the first historical book and includes many interviews with politicians and actors writers and other cultural personalities. There is also a large section of one chapter which tells of the social life, said Thomas Gustafsson.
The last part of the trilogy is entitled ¡Fiesta! And talk about all the great Spanish fiestas, the food and wine. It comes out in late 2010/början of 2011.
- This part will be a pleasure to write, says Thomas Gustafsson, who adds with a laugh:
- Many of my friends have already offered to join the research trips that are missing. It becomes a lot of festive joy and good food and good wine to be enjoyed.
All three books are written so that they can be read independently. You should be able to jump back and forth between the chapters as you wish, you can also put down the book for a while and then return.

Passion for Spain
Thomas Gustafsson admits that he was arrested by a deep passion for Spain is already in his youth.
Her childhood holidays were followed by youth studies in Spanish, and Spanish culture, history and political science. His first reports from Spain said he was already thirty years ago, when he as a young student, hitchhiked around Spain.
Then he became a journalist, he continued to write about Spain. First as a freelancer, then as a correspondent in Madrid. So far he has been stationed as a correspondent in Madrid three rounds for a total of ten years. The latest phase began in September 2009.
During all these years, Thomas Gustafsson accumulated knowledge and experience through constant travel in the country. He has covered every election since the late 1980s, has been in place during major disasters and attacks but also on fiestas and royal weddings.
- It has become appallingly many trips, says Thomas. Through the years I have visited all fifty Spanish provinces, all islands and even the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on several occasions.

Eyewitness to history
With that he began his coverage of Spain so early, he has been able to follow Spain's evolution from a closed dictatorship to today's open and progressive society. One can even say that Gustafsson has been a witness in recent history was written. All major events, he has also documented.
According to Thomas Gustafsson, today's Spain at the forefront in Europe with radical changes to marriage for homosexuals, new abortion laws and gender equality on paper is one of the most developed. While living very ancient remains.
- The old Spain, the Spanish built their morality on the three sacred fundamentals of family, Church and Military, you can still meet, he says.
- In Spain, the story is always present. It never did with its past. But seventy years after the war ended, the responsible dead and no one can be held accountable for the violence.
- Now the young generation, the grandchildren, ask questions and want to know what happened during the Civil War. My generation. I have many friends in Spain who had their grandparents killed in the war. Now, our generation of adults and children. Therefore, we want to know.

Correspondent in Madrid
In conjunction with the first part of Spain trilogy came out in September 2009, then Thomas Gustafsson their fixed service on Aftonbladet's central editorial office in Stockholm to move to Madrid, where he opened a correspondent office.
- It happens a lot of interest in Spain that is worth monitoring. I will also be much on the move. Not only in Spain but also in Latin America. Madrid is the European gateway to Latin America, which means that I have been very close to that part of the world that interests me a lot.
Who do you think is interested in your new book?
- First of all Americans live in Spain or who have a special interest in Spain. Interest in Spain has grown in recent years. The Spanish language is such as popular after English in Swedish schools.
- But Spain is also our largest tourist country. One million Swedes travel to Spain every year if you include the Canary Islands. I think many of them want to penetrate behind the stereotypes of Spain - the beach, sun and cheap booze - and learn more about their destination.
Does the book even when you are away?
- Yes, absolutely. The book is the perfect travel companion for a traveler Spain. The reader is taken on a journey to the places where history played out. For those who want to travel around on your own by rental car and explore other areas of Spain than the beaches, this is a perfect book.
Why is the book so thick?
- It holds the entire history, from ancient times until today. But you do not stretch read from cover to cover. Each chapter is its own little story and a part of history and you can jump back and forth. It may also function as reference.
Why do you feel that passion to Spain?
- I think it is the sharp contrasts that are so enticing. The people, the culture, the light. Our existence here in Spain is more intense in some way. It's rarely something is like that right as it is in Sweden. So it is with history. There is no other country that has a fascinating history of Spain.

More reading about Thomas Gustafson's book publication available on his website: tg-media.se

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