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Sweet Promised Land
In Sweet Promised Land, Laxalt paints an affectionate portrait of his father and, simultaneously, tells the story that connects immigrant families everywhere in the United States. Dominique Laxalt, a Basque-American sheepherder, is persuaded by his family to return home for a long-planned visit after living nearly half a century on the ranges of the American West. Accompan...more
Hardcover, 50th Anniversary Edition, 207 pages
Published
March 5th 2007
by University of Nevada Press
(first published January 28th 1957)
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When I moved to Idaho about a year ago, I was determined to learn all I could about my new home. No exploration of Idaho would be complete without learning about the Basques--those hardy people from the Pyrenees mountain area of the French-Spanish border area who emigrated to the West in great numbers in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Many of them became sheepherders and cowboys in the mountain areas of Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Their mark can be seen in many ways, not least of which is the...more
A well written memoirs that reflects the lively and traditional culture of the Basques, both at home here in the Americas as well as in the Basque Country. The Laxalts are a family that have been a huge part of Reno's development and it is truly incredible to get an inside look at the lifestyles of two men who were essential in the founding of this town. Entertaining and beautifully written, this story portrays the true experience of the American immigrant; the hardships he faces and the virtues...more
Aug 06, 2011
Alan
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Robert Laxalt is the brother of Nevada senator Paul Laxalt. Their father was a Basque shepherd who well into his sixties lived in a tent with his flock of sheep in Nevada's desert and mountains. After he had a stroke, not seeking any care, just surviving in the mountains, his children decided that he should take a long-delayed trip back to the old country. This is the story of that trip, but is also the story of outlaws and battles between sheep herders and cattle ranchers in the early half of t...more
I had hoped to love this book a lot more than I did. Being part Basque, there sadly isn't that much I know about my Grandmother's side of the family and about the people my Great Grandmother left behind when she immigrated from Basque country to America. The story was interesting, but I expected to connect more with the characters. Instead the book was lightening fast, fairly simple in writing style, and was over before I'd felt I had a chance to really know these people and this culture. The on...more
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This is a beautiful story of father and son, and going home again. There is so much dignity and devotion in this book. Lots to ponder. It is a little about Basque sheep herders and a little about growing up. It is more about the dignity of human beings and a son's growing respect and admiration for his father's simple life and sacrifices for his family. Laxalt's writing always reminds me of Hemingway. I always love anything written by a local author and set in our geographic area.
I just reread this book after many years. It tells the story of immigrants, old lands, new lands and in the end one finds "you can't go back." This is a story that would resonate with individuals who've lived in the U.S. for many years and some for the majority of their lives - yet they will have to "go back" to a land they barely know should circumstances shine the light of the law on them.
This is a very poignant story written by a master writer.
This is a very poignant story written by a master writer.
Going into the University of Nevada, Reno, I was required to read this book, as well as in one of my later classes my junior year. I didn't like it the first time I read it. But the second time I did, the imagery of the land was just beautiful. The fact that it is nonfiction blows my mind. It seems too beautiful to be true. Definitely a great read about the beautiful state of Nevada.
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My great uncle was an amazing person and this is my favorite novel written by him.
I really enjoyed this story of visiting the homeland
The prose is elegant, compelling. The topic is about personal character, integrity, adjustment to new customs, survival, growing up.
The setting is the Sierra mountains, the Pyrenees in Europe, French Basque families.
The setting is the Sierra mountains, the Pyrenees in Europe, French Basque families.
A Basque-American sheepherder returns with the help of his adult son (the author) to visit Tardents, France (French Pyrenees), the homeland the father left when he was 16. This is partially a story about that visit. I also enjoyed reading the parts about his life in America as a sheepherder in the Sierra-Nevada hills.
A simple, short read with a strong sense of Place.
A simple, short read with a strong sense of Place.
A very sweet, poignant memoir/travelogue about Laxalt's father and a trip they took together back to Basque Country, where his father grew up. Well-written in deceptively simple language considering the complex emotional experiences depicted.
Could be used for Nevada or Basque country in geographical challenges.
Could be used for Nevada or Basque country in geographical challenges.
I was forced to read this for my final Humanities course. Since my school is in Northern Nevada, the text is important to Basque studies.
touching account (from the 50s i believe) of an old basque rancher in nevada who takes a trip back to his homeland at the end of his life. mostly transcribed anecdotes from the old guy's life spent as an immigrant rancher.
I enjoyed this glimpse into the past of a Basque sheep herder in the early days Reno , Nevada and his trip back to his native Basque village in France. Reading it a second time was just as good....=).
This book is a fantastic description of the herding lifestyle in America, and a touching story about immigration. Loved it!
Jan 16, 2011
Caroline Huggins
added it
This was a surprise! I love it.
Apr 30, 2013
Aimee Lilles
marked it as to-read
Feb 20, 2013
Poiema
marked it as to-read
Jan 10, 2013
Logan Miller
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Laxalt was a Basque-American writer whose work was especially well received in the ranching areas of Nevada and adjacent states, and led to creation of several "Basque Festivals" in those areas. Laxalt also served as a consultant to the Library of Congress on Basque culture, and helped start the Basque Studies program at the University of Nevada.
Laxalt founded the University of Nevada Press, which...more
More about Robert Laxalt...
Laxalt founded the University of Nevada Press, which...more
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