Description
Josep Maria Soler i Coll
Book Summary
This book offers a complete portrait of Josep Maria Soler i Coll, a key figure in the introduction and popularization of skiing in Catalonia and an agronomist committed to the modernization of the countryside. The work explores his dual trajectory: as a pioneer of hiking and backcountry skiing, participating in historic ascents, and as a technician who promoted genetic improvement and agriculture from institutions such as the Mancomunitat and the Provincial Council of Barcelona. The reader will discover the life of a multifaceted man who combined a passion for nature with a solid professional career in the service of the country.
What is it about?
Francesc Roma Casanovas's biography focuses on the figure of Josep Maria Soler i Coll, a person who stood out in two apparently distinct fields but united by his connection to the territory. On one hand, the book recounts his facet as a hiker and skier, highlighting his fundamental role in rooting and extending the practice of skiing in Catalonia. His ascents to Pyrenean peaks that marked milestones in the history of mountaineering are detailed. On the other hand, the work addresses his professional career as an agronomist, developed during a convulsive period that went from the Mancomunitat of Catalonia to the Provincial Council of Barcelona, passing through the Republican Generalitat. The text highlights his struggle to improve agriculture, especially through the genetic improvement of crops, offering a complete vision of his legacy.
Main Topics
- History of hiking and skiing in Catalonia.
- Biography of agronomists and technicians in the service of institutions.
- The modernization of Catalan agriculture in the 20th century.
- The relationship between a passion for nature and professional trajectory.
- The role of the Mancomunitat and the Generalitat in the development of the country.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is ideal for readers interested in the history of sport in Catalonia, especially the origins of skiing and mountain hiking. It is also of great interest to those who want to know the trajectory of key figures in the agrarian and technical development of the country, as well as for students of Catalan biography of the 20th century. In short, it is a work for anyone looking to discover the multiple facets of a man who contributed decisively to his land.
What this book offers
- A detailed and documented vision of the life of a pioneer of Catalan skiing.
- Knowledge of an agronomist's contributions to genetic improvement and agriculture.
- A portrait of Catalan society and institutions from the Mancomunitat to the post-war period.
- The connection between a personal passion for the mountains and professional public service.
- A narrative that values relevant but often little-known figures in the history of Catalonia.
Technical Specifications
- Author: ROMA CASANOVAS, FRANCESC
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Subject: BIOGRAPHY: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, BIOGRAPHY: SPORT
- Collection: PERFILS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2015
- Number of pages: 96
- Weight: 210 g
Editorial Review
This is a concise and well-documented biography that fulfills the objective of the "Perfils" collection: to offer accessible and rigorous portraits of relevant figures in Catalan culture and society. Soler i Coll's dual aspect, sporting and professional, enriches the narrative and makes it attractive both to mountain enthusiasts and to those interested in agrarian and institutional history. Its brevity (96 pages) makes it an agile read and perfect for anyone who wants a solid introduction to the subject's figure without delving into excessive technicalities.