Old Calabria
📘 About This Book
First published in 1915, Old Calabria is a comprehensive and exciting account of adventure travel. Captivated by the pagan quality of the mezzogiorno, Norman 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 carriages driven by villainous coachmen, and traversed remote stretches of country where murderous groups of banditti were known to roam. As Jon Manchip White points out in his introduction, it "makes good reading, but it must have constituted a protracted and frightening ordeal--frightening, that is, to anyone except someone like Douglas, possessed of a more than normal share of guts and fortitude."
📖 Summary
Old Calabria is a comprehensive and exciting account of adventure travel that chronicles Norman Douglas's immersive journey into the southernmost and most backward part of Italy. First published in 1915 and later reissued in 1996, this 348-page travel narrative captures the raw, untamed essence of a province that was still largely devoid of any form of modern amenity during the author's exploration. Douglas was deeply captivated by the pagan quality of the mezzogiorno, drawing him away from the beaten path and into a landscape steeped in ancient history, harsh realities, and striking isolation. Rather than opting for comfortable tourism, Douglas plunged directly into the heart of Calabria, embracing its rugged terrain and enduring extremes of climate that would have deterred a less resolute traveler. The book details his physical journey across the region, where he scaled formidable mountains, rode in carriages driven by villainous coachmen, and traversed remote stretches of country where murderous groups of banditti were known to roam. As Jon Manchip White points out in his introduction to the book, it makes good reading, but it must have constituted a protracted and frightening ordeal—frightening, that is, to anyone except someone like Douglas, possessed of a more than normal share of guts and fortitude. Through his keen observations, Douglas offers readers a vivid window into a bygone era of exploration, blending historical insights, geographical descriptions, and personal encounters with a region left behind by the modern world. The narrative stands as a testament to the spirit of adventure, highlighting the stark contrast between the classical heritage of southern Italy and the challenging, isolated conditions of early twentieth-century rural life. Readers are taken along for a thrilling, perilous, and deeply atmospheric ride through a forgotten landscape, experiencing through the author's fearless perspective a land defined by its striking natural beauty, historical resonance, and uncompromising human element.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Offers a thrilling and immersive account of genuine adventure travel.
Provides vivid descriptions of a remote and historically rich Italian province.
Showcases the author's remarkable courage and fortitude in the face of danger.
Features an insightful introduction by Jon Manchip White.
⚠️ Cons
Depicts harsh conditions and perilous situations that may feel daunting to some readers.
Focuses on a specific historical period and region that might not appeal to all travel enthusiasts.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
When was Old Calabria first published? +
The book was first published in 1915.
What region of Italy does the book focus on? +
It focuses on Calabria, the southernmost and most backward part of Italy.
Who wrote the introduction to the edition discussed? +
Jon Manchip White wrote the introduction for this edition.
How many pages long is this edition of the book? +
This edition spans 348 pages.
What kind of challenges did Norman Douglas face during his travels? +
He endured extreme climates, scaled mountains, rode with villainous coachmen, and traversed areas known for roaming banditti.
