"Wolfram". It's not a person, it's a mined mineral also called "tungsten". It makes a very hard surface and I can't even begin to talk about it scientifically. The only reason that wolfram has a place in my review of "Lisbon", by British author Neill Lochery, is that wolfram had an oh-so-important place in WW2 history. Wolfram was heavily mined in the Iberian peninsula - Spain and Portugal - and was a desperately needed product by both the Germans and the British in the making of their war materiel.
Portugal had long been ruled by dictator Antonio Salazar, and by the war's start, he had been playing a balancing act in his relationship with Spain, Germany, and Britain. Although officially "neutral", Salazar wanted to protect his country's neutrality - the neutrality of other countries had been violated by Germany - and play one side - Allied and Axis - against the other for both economic and cultural advantages. Portugal had long been an ally of Britain, but Salazar had to keep both sides satisfied with his claims of impartiality. He also had to try to keep Franco's Spain from entering the war. By way of keeping Portugal's claims of neutrality alive, his capital city of Lisbon went from a back-water capital without an international airport, to the "brightest" city in Europe. The lights of the city were a contrast to the blacked-out cities elsewhere on the continent and in England. No bombings for Lisbon; the city was a teeming kettle of refugees,bankers, spies, and profit-makers, trading in all the traditional commerce that come with refugees, bankers, and spies. Oh, and with the production and selling of wolfram.
Lochery's book is a well-written look at Salazar and his country and his relations with the WW2 world. In some ways, Salazar was a major-player; courted by both the Allies and the Axis. Not only did Portugal have wolfram, it also possessed some very important real estate. The Azores, in particular, were looked upon and coveted by both the British and the Germans for their war plans. Lochery looks at the people of war-time Portugal and writes about both the natives and the others who poured into Lisbon as refugees. Some were refugees for only a short period - days or weeks - while others, lost in that stateless limbo that was the lot of many, remained in Lisbon and the surrounding areas for months or years. It's a complete look at a small, but important, corner of the war.
By the way, if you're interested in the wolfram situation in Portugal during WW2 and the repercussions of it down the decades after the war, buy Robert Wilson's excellent novel, "A Small Death in Lisbon". It's amazing.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
$13.92
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Nipper
Good Read if you love Portugal as I Do
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2021Richard de Almeida
An excellent top-up on WWII history
Reviewed in Canada on February 21, 2013