PORTUGAL

A forthright appraisal of Portugal past and present that does not neglect the controversial aspects of its most recent political regime. As up to the minute as the Caetano appointment, this acknowledges the antecedents of current problems by opening with a (Portuguese) textbook quotation about its provinces, juxtaposing Salazar's 1962-63 dialogue (re: Angola and Mozambique) with the U.N., and then asserting that the nation ""clings grimly to its overseas territories against the tide of history."" There is quite adequate coverage of geographical divisions, history (even before independence and including a separate chapter for the exploration period), cities (Lisbon, Porto, Funchal, Coimbra), daily life and economic conditions as influenced by Salazar's ministrations. Although Wohlrabe and Krusch's Land and People of Portugal (Lippincott, 1960) has more information on traditional culture it is vague on 20th century developments and necessarily outdated; Miss Carew's study is a welcome addition.