After a couple of recommendations of Stephen Armstrongs book, 'The White Island' I popped into town and ordered this book to get some ibiza reading done as for many of us, winter is a long way from ibiza! 
It was an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I have no idea why, but I expected to open this book to find glossy page after glossy page of photo's with short tales to annotate the pictures from around the island, I couldn't have been any more wrong
Which turned out to be a good thing. I've not read much literature on Ibiza but this is by far the most indepth, detailed and carefully researched book I've ever read relating to that tiny Island in the med.
It's safe to say Mr King is not a seasoned clubber, and it's pretty apparent he isn't 'down with the kids'
however, he is obviously a fantastic researcher and no doubt has some background in History. To note this is his first published piece of work further shows just how talented he is. There are points in the book when he must have searched the world, literally, looking for the tiniest piece of information to satisfy the reader.
I'll admit, there were times when I felt like skipping a page or so as he tends to go a little too deep into the History of the island, the sheer amount of people who have invaded and relocated to ibiza is phenominal and obviously of great interest to Stephen. If you do read the book though, plough through and read every little detail, you'll be better off for doing it, everything pieces togethor and you appreciate everything that little bit more.
I gaurentee even the biggest Eivissan veteran will learn something with this book, be it a war once fought, famous person who came to rest on the island you never knew about or even a round up of the complicated politics that cloud ibiza.
I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of some of Ibiza's stranger characters (such as the seemingly rude 'mad mike'!) tales of the cults that set up shop, case studies of some groups of hippies, some deep rooted traditions and the fantastic story of the notorious picasso faker, Elmyr De Hory (Being an Art student myself, I loved his turbulant tale told from an Ibizan perspective.)
He donates a reasonable portion to the big clubs of ibiza (Privilige, particularly manumission) and does a good job of taling their development.
In my opinion this is must read material for any serious Hedonistic addict, my only gripe is that at times he somewhat puts a dampener on ibiza, claiming it's nothing like it used to be (dissapearence of the hippies, influx of tourists etc) but each to their own.
I paid £12.99 for my copy in store, although it's much cheaper on amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...35441/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/026-5720719-7350063
So, does anyone else have any ibiza related book recommendations for me next?
It was an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, however, It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I have no idea why, but I expected to open this book to find glossy page after glossy page of photo's with short tales to annotate the pictures from around the island, I couldn't have been any more wrong
Which turned out to be a good thing. I've not read much literature on Ibiza but this is by far the most indepth, detailed and carefully researched book I've ever read relating to that tiny Island in the med. It's safe to say Mr King is not a seasoned clubber, and it's pretty apparent he isn't 'down with the kids'
however, he is obviously a fantastic researcher and no doubt has some background in History. To note this is his first published piece of work further shows just how talented he is. There are points in the book when he must have searched the world, literally, looking for the tiniest piece of information to satisfy the reader.I'll admit, there were times when I felt like skipping a page or so as he tends to go a little too deep into the History of the island, the sheer amount of people who have invaded and relocated to ibiza is phenominal and obviously of great interest to Stephen. If you do read the book though, plough through and read every little detail, you'll be better off for doing it, everything pieces togethor and you appreciate everything that little bit more.
I gaurentee even the biggest Eivissan veteran will learn something with this book, be it a war once fought, famous person who came to rest on the island you never knew about or even a round up of the complicated politics that cloud ibiza.
I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of some of Ibiza's stranger characters (such as the seemingly rude 'mad mike'!) tales of the cults that set up shop, case studies of some groups of hippies, some deep rooted traditions and the fantastic story of the notorious picasso faker, Elmyr De Hory (Being an Art student myself, I loved his turbulant tale told from an Ibizan perspective.)
He donates a reasonable portion to the big clubs of ibiza (Privilige, particularly manumission) and does a good job of taling their development.
In my opinion this is must read material for any serious Hedonistic addict, my only gripe is that at times he somewhat puts a dampener on ibiza, claiming it's nothing like it used to be (dissapearence of the hippies, influx of tourists etc) but each to their own.
I paid £12.99 for my copy in store, although it's much cheaper on amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...35441/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/026-5720719-7350063
So, does anyone else have any ibiza related book recommendations for me next?
) but was on order for months and never arrived 
