In January 1939, Antonio Machado would cross the border from Spain to France accompanied by his mother, traveling, as was his custom, with only the essentials. He died three weeks later in the small French town of Collioure, his appalling state a warning sign of his impending passing. Machado was sixty-four. Ian Gibson, internationally renowned Hispanist, has dedicated years of research and work to give us Machado's life story ?a passionate journey through the private life, philosophy and work of a man who is considered today one of the most read and loved Spanish poets of all times.