Or I'll Dress You In Mourning Paperback – May 8, 2020

A fasinating story of bull fighting and the people who enter into it. The book also contains a good deal of the history of Spain and how it influenced the people. The book is fast paced and very well written. Almost on the same level as Steinbeck's "Death In The Afternoon." After reading this book, you will not only have been entertained, you will have learned a great deal about bull fighting as well as the country where it still flourishes to this day.

If you like a great story. Want to learn a little history without having to take notes or blow up your brain. Are you going to Spain? Read this book. Do you believe that anything is possible and need life affirmation? Read this book. Everyperson I've given this book to has said the same things, "Amazing and Thnak You." You may not like bull fighting but you will understand it a little better. It's one thing to be in the audience and another to be in the bull ring looking at 1400lb of fury. Does courage enter into this dislogue? Does culture enter into this conversaton? This now is my prejudice when I have to ask " What is more savage and brutal? People paying to see humans beating themselves bloody in a cage or people paying to see a ritual where a bull is killed and it's flesh is donated to an orphanage. Fighting bulls are bred for ferocity and are only fought once. One man or woman dancing a dance of courage and death. It's pretty bloody and brutal no doubt. So read the book and have a strong opinion either pro or con. But you'll love the book.

I read a hardback copy of this book in 1970 and enjoyed it so I purchased the the kindle edition to reread it. It is a very good and well written book with a couple of minor flaws. The authors try to put Manuel Benitez in the context of the changes Spain was undergoing during his formative years. They do a good job of this but occasionally they lose the main character. If you want modern Spanish history and culture there is a fair amount here and it seems to be accurate. I was in Spain in the 60s and saw El Codobes bullfight. The scenes of his youth and the description of his fighting are excellent. Another minor flaw is the pictures that were in the original book have been removed and are missed.However, if you are a fan or want to know more about the corrida then read this book. It is enjoyable. Be aware that the authors, for all their history and cultural scenes, never really address the changes in bullfighting from the classic style of Manolete to the modern style that evolved in the 50s and beyond.

A great and entertaining account of bullfighting juxtaposed with 20th century Spanish history. The authors leave you on the edge of your seat!

I loved this book. There's so much history to learn outside of the bullfighting, but that itself is fascinating although horribly brutal, not just for the bulls and matadors but for the horses. How come no one ever talks about the horses?I learned a lot and enjoyed every bit of it except for the parts I had to skip due to animal cruelty which I can't take.Highly recommend.

I bought this as a used book but the font was so small that I was straining my eyes trying to read it. So I ended up buying the e-book and now I can increase the font size with that feature on my Kindle app on my iPad. This is a great book and I wonder why it has never been something more popular as with other books. If I were a high school administrator I would put this on the list with other books I read in high school such as The Tale of Two Cities, the Sun Also Rises, and the Old Man and the Sea. Unless you are old fashioned and like to have the hard copy book in your hands, buy the e-book because it is so much easier to read and takes up no room on your bookshelf - except that I now put my iPad on my bookshelf!

It is not as great as the other books by the author. Therefore, have given the book a 3 star rating.

I read this book 40 years ago while I was stationed in the US air force in Spain. I recently ordered it to read again and it still is such a wonderful powerful book of Spain. El Cordobes was the Joe Namath of bull fighting with a flamboyant style that just outraged the old traditionalists of this sport. This books' about much more than his exploits in the ring. It's about the Spanish civil war a horrible tragedy in the 1930's in that beleaguered country. Also the aftermath of the war and the depression that followed. His first love and those dangerous nights under the moonlight learning to fight the bulls as his only apprenticeship into the ring. I was there in Spain during some of his era and he was a true superstar who could stop the entire country gathered around TV sets when he hit the ring. You'll have to get this book and read for yourself. You'll never forget it ever.