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Cambridge Essential Histories
The Spanish Civil War
This book presents an original new history of the most important conflict in European affairs during the 1930s, prior to the events that produced World War II – the Spanish Civil War. It describes the complex origins of the conflict, the collapse of the Spanish Republic, and the outbreak of the only mass worker revolution in the history of Western Europe. Stanley Payne explains the character of the Spanish revolution and the complex web of republican politics, while also examining in detail the development of Franco's counterrevolutionary dictatorship. Payne gives attention to the multiple meanings and interpretations of war and examines why the conflict provoked such strong reactions in its own time, and long after. The book also explains the military history of the war and its place in the history of military development, the non-intervention policy of the democracies, and the role of German, Italian, and Soviet intervention, concluding with an analysis of the place of the war in European affairs and in comparative perspective of revolutionary civil wars of the twentieth century.
286 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2012
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About the author
Stanley G. Payne
81 books103 followersStanley G. Payne is a historian of modern Spain and European Fascism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He retired from full time teaching in 2004 and is currently Professor Emeritus at its Department of History.
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October 10, 2020
Distilled history...
On starting my personal challenge to get an understanding of the Spanish Civil War through history, memoirs and fiction, the first book I wanted was one which basically explained the historical background, laid out the events leading up to the war, introduced the main leaders, explained the factions and tried, at least, to avoid bias. This last point was the hardest – all the best known histories on the subject seem to be pretty overwhelmingly biased towards the Republican side. After a couple of false starts, I settled on this one and feel I couldn’t have made a better decision. Payne has been a historian of Spain and European fascism throughout his career, and this book feels like the sum of all that immense study, distilled down to its pure essence. Every word in its short 286 pages counts, so that there’s far more information in here than in many a waffly 900-page tome I’ve struggled through on other historical periods.
Payne’s bias, if he has one, seems slightly to the right, though it’s quite clear he’s no more a fan of the regimes of the far-right than the far-left. He avoids any kind of romanticisation of the left – generally a recurring feature of British and American writing on the SCW, showing how much better the left were at propaganda, if nothing else. Indeed, propaganda and the role of foreign journalists and novelists in its dissemination at the time, and on public perception of the conflict even today, is one of the many subjects he addresses in the book.
Payne starts with a brief introduction, putting the SCW into the context of the many civil wars happening in Eastern Europe and around the “periphery” of Europe around that time. He notes that Spain was unique in being the only Western European country to have a civil war in the interwar years, and that, while the political upheavals in other western nations like Germany and Italy rose out of the aftermath of WW1, Spain had remained neutral in that conflict.
He continues by giving a concise and clear history of Spain, from the time of the Romans. This is done in a just a few pages, but gives the newcomer to the subject a very clear idea of the development of the social, political and economic conditions in the country just prior to the civil war. He discusses Spain’s failure to modernise at the same rate as other European countries, remaining more rural and socially backward, less literate, poorer. Out of these conditions arose the factions on left and right that would both eventually feel that a limited conflict would give power into their hands.
Payne slows down a bit as he discusses the years from around 1930 to the outbreak of war, but it is still a very distilled account – no padding, very few anecdotes or character sketches, but everything very clearly explained. The profusion of factions on both left and right are the main reason I, and I’m sure I’m not alone, find the SCW more confusing than many other conflicts or historical events, and Payne takes the time to explain each in turn – how they arose, their affiliations to outside forces like the USSR or Mussolini’s Italy, their regional power bases within Spain, what they believed in and what kind of government they wanted to create. As he develops the history of events, Payne is excellent at constantly reminding the reader of where each faction stands whenever they are mentioned, so that I rarely found it necessary to turn to the included glossary of all those dreaded acronyms, like POUM and PCE and CEDA. In fact, by the end of the book I actually had a good idea of what all these terms actually meant – a considerable achievement, believe me!
Alongside the narration of events, Payne includes themed chapters where he goes more deeply into one aspect of the conflict, such as religion or foreign intervention or propaganda, etc., and it’s in these chapters that he’s more analytical. He debunks some of the commonly held and somewhat romantic myths, explaining their origin, and replaces them with factual analysis, including plenty of statistics, on numbers of executions on both sides, for example, or the brutal atrocities carried out, again by both sides. He is critical of Franco’s skills as a war strategist, suggesting his failure to take decisive actions at crucial moments led to a prolongation of the conflict. But his strongest criticism is directed at the shambolic chaos on the left, with faction fighting faction, and no clear plan of what they were trying to achieve. He compares the conditions in Republican and Nationalist zones, and suggests a major factor in the Nationalists’ success was their economic competence – indeed, their competence generally. The picture he paints is of idealism, factionalism and chaos on the left defeated by planning, pragmatism and organisation on the right.
My only caveat, and it’s a small one, would be that a basic understanding of the Russian revolution and of the regimes of Hitler and Mussolini would be helpful, but I think he gives enough information on them in passing to prevent any reader from feeling too lost. So, in conclusion, great as an introduction for the newcomer, but there’s also plenty of analysis in here to interest those with an existing knowledge of events. Highly recommended – the perfect start to my quest!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
On starting my personal challenge to get an understanding of the Spanish Civil War through history, memoirs and fiction, the first book I wanted was one which basically explained the historical background, laid out the events leading up to the war, introduced the main leaders, explained the factions and tried, at least, to avoid bias. This last point was the hardest – all the best known histories on the subject seem to be pretty overwhelmingly biased towards the Republican side. After a couple of false starts, I settled on this one and feel I couldn’t have made a better decision. Payne has been a historian of Spain and European fascism throughout his career, and this book feels like the sum of all that immense study, distilled down to its pure essence. Every word in its short 286 pages counts, so that there’s far more information in here than in many a waffly 900-page tome I’ve struggled through on other historical periods.
Payne’s bias, if he has one, seems slightly to the right, though it’s quite clear he’s no more a fan of the regimes of the far-right than the far-left. He avoids any kind of romanticisation of the left – generally a recurring feature of British and American writing on the SCW, showing how much better the left were at propaganda, if nothing else. Indeed, propaganda and the role of foreign journalists and novelists in its dissemination at the time, and on public perception of the conflict even today, is one of the many subjects he addresses in the book.
Payne starts with a brief introduction, putting the SCW into the context of the many civil wars happening in Eastern Europe and around the “periphery” of Europe around that time. He notes that Spain was unique in being the only Western European country to have a civil war in the interwar years, and that, while the political upheavals in other western nations like Germany and Italy rose out of the aftermath of WW1, Spain had remained neutral in that conflict.
He continues by giving a concise and clear history of Spain, from the time of the Romans. This is done in a just a few pages, but gives the newcomer to the subject a very clear idea of the development of the social, political and economic conditions in the country just prior to the civil war. He discusses Spain’s failure to modernise at the same rate as other European countries, remaining more rural and socially backward, less literate, poorer. Out of these conditions arose the factions on left and right that would both eventually feel that a limited conflict would give power into their hands.
Payne slows down a bit as he discusses the years from around 1930 to the outbreak of war, but it is still a very distilled account – no padding, very few anecdotes or character sketches, but everything very clearly explained. The profusion of factions on both left and right are the main reason I, and I’m sure I’m not alone, find the SCW more confusing than many other conflicts or historical events, and Payne takes the time to explain each in turn – how they arose, their affiliations to outside forces like the USSR or Mussolini’s Italy, their regional power bases within Spain, what they believed in and what kind of government they wanted to create. As he develops the history of events, Payne is excellent at constantly reminding the reader of where each faction stands whenever they are mentioned, so that I rarely found it necessary to turn to the included glossary of all those dreaded acronyms, like POUM and PCE and CEDA. In fact, by the end of the book I actually had a good idea of what all these terms actually meant – a considerable achievement, believe me!
Alongside the narration of events, Payne includes themed chapters where he goes more deeply into one aspect of the conflict, such as religion or foreign intervention or propaganda, etc., and it’s in these chapters that he’s more analytical. He debunks some of the commonly held and somewhat romantic myths, explaining their origin, and replaces them with factual analysis, including plenty of statistics, on numbers of executions on both sides, for example, or the brutal atrocities carried out, again by both sides. He is critical of Franco’s skills as a war strategist, suggesting his failure to take decisive actions at crucial moments led to a prolongation of the conflict. But his strongest criticism is directed at the shambolic chaos on the left, with faction fighting faction, and no clear plan of what they were trying to achieve. He compares the conditions in Republican and Nationalist zones, and suggests a major factor in the Nationalists’ success was their economic competence – indeed, their competence generally. The picture he paints is of idealism, factionalism and chaos on the left defeated by planning, pragmatism and organisation on the right.
My only caveat, and it’s a small one, would be that a basic understanding of the Russian revolution and of the regimes of Hitler and Mussolini would be helpful, but I think he gives enough information on them in passing to prevent any reader from feeling too lost. So, in conclusion, great as an introduction for the newcomer, but there’s also plenty of analysis in here to interest those with an existing knowledge of events. Highly recommended – the perfect start to my quest!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
May 23, 2017
If you have ever wondered how Trump was elected and the parallel how Franco won the Spanish Civil War, this book will provide many insightful answers. The best remedy for myth is fact.
I'm a Canadian living in Spain married to a Catalan Independendista and thought I should familiarize myself with the Spanish Civil War (I did my undergrad in history but focused mostly on Central European Middle Ages).
I anticipated a good read but I didn't anticipate such an enjoyable read. The book reads like a novel and answered nearly all of my anticipatory questions. I found myself frequently thinking: "What about _____...." only to have my question answered in the following paragraph. The book is balanced, scholarly, interesting, fun reading with wonderful flow. This was the kind of book which sparked my interest in studying history 20 years ago.
But on to the details of the book. Stanley Payne, noted American historian of 20th Century Spain might have briefly had his books banned by Franco, but the book is hardly apologetic to the left. The writing style is narrative and the book is weighed towards explaining the causes of the conflict and significance in European history more than describing the details of the war itself.
Payne paints a picture of the Radical Left parties repeatedly revolting against everything like spoilt children prior to the war and terrorizing all their opponents (conservatives, Catholics, other left-wing groups with whom they disagreed, the monarchy and monarchists, land-owners, factory owners, the bourgeoisie and petit-bourgeoisie, the middle class and the list goes on). Despite the Conservative CENA winning a plurality in the 1933 election, then again in 1936, by hook and by crook (mostly by crook) the left did everything in their power to subvert the 'democracy' they would later use in propaganda. The only difference between the two elections is that the middle fell out in 1936 and the radical left began a reign of terror equal to those of revolutionary France and Bolshevik Russia.
"The results showed that the popular vote ended in a virtual tie-46 percent for the Popular Front, 47 percent for the Anti-revolutionay coalition...The final margin in favor of the Popular Front was primarily the result of violence, mob action and political manipulations." (p. 33-34)
Payne dispells the myth of the left that the civil war was a fascist coup against democracy with the thesis that "The Spanish civil war was a clear-cut revolutionary/counter-revolutionary contest between left and right, with the fascist totalitarian powers supporting the right and the Soviet totalitarian power supporting the left." (p. 240)
The picture of the 'Republic' is so contrasting with the propaganda we are fed that the answer to why Franco won becomes obvious, just like in 70 years hopefully someone will write a similar book on the election of Trump. The rebellion wasn't that suddenly millions of people became fascists (the fascists had won only 40,000 votes or 0.5% of the 1933 election (p. 34) but rather that the left openly goaded the right, harassaed and assassinated their leaders and wanted an insurrection in order to crush it and implement a Soviet, Socialist, Anarchist or Communist utopia.
Anzaña taunted the right to revolt "'Did you not want violence?...then take to the violence. Be prepared for the consequences.' This was an extraordinary gesture after the CEDA's five years of observing republican legality, a bizarre spectacle of a parliamentary prime minister cahllenging the opposition to something approaching civil war." (p.43)
Unfortunately for the left, they overestimated their unity and strength and underestimated the right, whom they treated with disdain and contempt, as a relic of history. Even the Comintern repeatedly had to put the brakes on the Republicans in order to maintain the façade of democracy.
Dr. Payne does a remarkable job of explaining a complex history. The Glossary of names is very helpful when trying to distinguish between the alphabet soup of (primarily left) groups.
The book touches on everything:
Anarchists, artists, monarchists, fascists, women, Nazis, Soviet spies, Guernica, Catalan and Basque separatists, gold reserves, air and naval warfare, Franco, assassinations, persecution of the clergy...
I'm a Canadian living in Spain married to a Catalan Independendista and thought I should familiarize myself with the Spanish Civil War (I did my undergrad in history but focused mostly on Central European Middle Ages).
I anticipated a good read but I didn't anticipate such an enjoyable read. The book reads like a novel and answered nearly all of my anticipatory questions. I found myself frequently thinking: "What about _____...." only to have my question answered in the following paragraph. The book is balanced, scholarly, interesting, fun reading with wonderful flow. This was the kind of book which sparked my interest in studying history 20 years ago.
But on to the details of the book. Stanley Payne, noted American historian of 20th Century Spain might have briefly had his books banned by Franco, but the book is hardly apologetic to the left. The writing style is narrative and the book is weighed towards explaining the causes of the conflict and significance in European history more than describing the details of the war itself.
Payne paints a picture of the Radical Left parties repeatedly revolting against everything like spoilt children prior to the war and terrorizing all their opponents (conservatives, Catholics, other left-wing groups with whom they disagreed, the monarchy and monarchists, land-owners, factory owners, the bourgeoisie and petit-bourgeoisie, the middle class and the list goes on). Despite the Conservative CENA winning a plurality in the 1933 election, then again in 1936, by hook and by crook (mostly by crook) the left did everything in their power to subvert the 'democracy' they would later use in propaganda. The only difference between the two elections is that the middle fell out in 1936 and the radical left began a reign of terror equal to those of revolutionary France and Bolshevik Russia.
"The results showed that the popular vote ended in a virtual tie-46 percent for the Popular Front, 47 percent for the Anti-revolutionay coalition...The final margin in favor of the Popular Front was primarily the result of violence, mob action and political manipulations." (p. 33-34)
Payne dispells the myth of the left that the civil war was a fascist coup against democracy with the thesis that "The Spanish civil war was a clear-cut revolutionary/counter-revolutionary contest between left and right, with the fascist totalitarian powers supporting the right and the Soviet totalitarian power supporting the left." (p. 240)
The picture of the 'Republic' is so contrasting with the propaganda we are fed that the answer to why Franco won becomes obvious, just like in 70 years hopefully someone will write a similar book on the election of Trump. The rebellion wasn't that suddenly millions of people became fascists (the fascists had won only 40,000 votes or 0.5% of the 1933 election (p. 34) but rather that the left openly goaded the right, harassaed and assassinated their leaders and wanted an insurrection in order to crush it and implement a Soviet, Socialist, Anarchist or Communist utopia.
Anzaña taunted the right to revolt "'Did you not want violence?...then take to the violence. Be prepared for the consequences.' This was an extraordinary gesture after the CEDA's five years of observing republican legality, a bizarre spectacle of a parliamentary prime minister cahllenging the opposition to something approaching civil war." (p.43)
Unfortunately for the left, they overestimated their unity and strength and underestimated the right, whom they treated with disdain and contempt, as a relic of history. Even the Comintern repeatedly had to put the brakes on the Republicans in order to maintain the façade of democracy.
Dr. Payne does a remarkable job of explaining a complex history. The Glossary of names is very helpful when trying to distinguish between the alphabet soup of (primarily left) groups.
The book touches on everything:
Anarchists, artists, monarchists, fascists, women, Nazis, Soviet spies, Guernica, Catalan and Basque separatists, gold reserves, air and naval warfare, Franco, assassinations, persecution of the clergy...
August 20, 2019
Probably one of the best introductions to the Spanish Civil War (or, as the author says: the revolutionary/counterrevolutionary struggle).
In short, the political left started the whole thing by excluding the right and instituting an all leftist government, even though half the population of Spain at the time was conservative. Add to this the left's hatred of all things traditional and religious and you have a recipe for disaster.
The left in Spain had a bad habit of calling anyone on the right—even right-of-center—"fascists!" when in fact, as the author points out, this was not at all true.
The left also created a mythology that remains to this day: that their democratic government was unjustly attacked by "fascists!" when in fact their election rigging, exclusion of conservatives from government, murder of political opponents, church burnings, and murders of clergy eventually resulted in their humiliating defeat on the battlefield at the hands of righteously angered (and mostly religious) conservatives (and forty years of right-wing dictatorship).
It's no wonder the academy, media, and Hollywood ignores the Spanish Civil War. Their side lost. Badly.
If you want to know the truth about the Spanish Civil War read this book. I was hoping this book would be a good one, in that the truth would finally be told, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was. Kudos to the author and the publisher for telling the unpopular truth.
Everyone in the USA should read this book, because the left is using the same tricks now that they were using then. They want to silence all conservatives and have them removed from government, despite the fact that half the country is conservative and deserves a voice in government.
The USA now, resembling the Spain of 1936, has no place for center-moderate politics, compromise, or tolerance.
We live in a time where the other side is considered evil, and you don't compromise with or tolerate evil; you destroy it.
This is what happened in Spain, and also during the US Civil War. Two different civilizations competed for total political and cultural dominance. There was no room for compromise. Total victory was all that could be imagined.
God help us if we don't change our ways.
This book has a happy ending: the center-moderates eventually formed a democratic government wherein everyone had a say and all people were enabled to compromise and tolerate one another.
It's a shame they couldn't have done that sooner, and avoided the war.
In short, the political left started the whole thing by excluding the right and instituting an all leftist government, even though half the population of Spain at the time was conservative. Add to this the left's hatred of all things traditional and religious and you have a recipe for disaster.
The left in Spain had a bad habit of calling anyone on the right—even right-of-center—"fascists!" when in fact, as the author points out, this was not at all true.
The left also created a mythology that remains to this day: that their democratic government was unjustly attacked by "fascists!" when in fact their election rigging, exclusion of conservatives from government, murder of political opponents, church burnings, and murders of clergy eventually resulted in their humiliating defeat on the battlefield at the hands of righteously angered (and mostly religious) conservatives (and forty years of right-wing dictatorship).
It's no wonder the academy, media, and Hollywood ignores the Spanish Civil War. Their side lost. Badly.
If you want to know the truth about the Spanish Civil War read this book. I was hoping this book would be a good one, in that the truth would finally be told, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was. Kudos to the author and the publisher for telling the unpopular truth.
Everyone in the USA should read this book, because the left is using the same tricks now that they were using then. They want to silence all conservatives and have them removed from government, despite the fact that half the country is conservative and deserves a voice in government.
The USA now, resembling the Spain of 1936, has no place for center-moderate politics, compromise, or tolerance.
We live in a time where the other side is considered evil, and you don't compromise with or tolerate evil; you destroy it.
This is what happened in Spain, and also during the US Civil War. Two different civilizations competed for total political and cultural dominance. There was no room for compromise. Total victory was all that could be imagined.
God help us if we don't change our ways.
This book has a happy ending: the center-moderates eventually formed a democratic government wherein everyone had a say and all people were enabled to compromise and tolerate one another.
It's a shame they couldn't have done that sooner, and avoided the war.
September 8, 2019
An even handed, scholarly look at the Spanish civil war. It doesnt sugar coat the atrocities committed on both sides, and it doesnt over glorify either side, and in particular the republican side as is so often done in works by western academia.
It's more of an analysis of events and geopolitics of the time than an in depth look at the very interesting characters in this war, though as I understand it, Stanley G Payne has elaborated on these people in other books.
Very interesting and gripping book.
It's more of an analysis of events and geopolitics of the time than an in depth look at the very interesting characters in this war, though as I understand it, Stanley G Payne has elaborated on these people in other books.
Very interesting and gripping book.
December 13, 2020
Probably the most unbiased book out there on the Spanish Civil War.
October 17, 2020
The best book I read so far on the Spanish Civil War. It's short and packed with details written in a concise and very clear manner. I've recommended this book to my colleagues who are studying the civil war because it is amazing.
On top of that, his bias is not as visible as it happens with other authors - Paul Preston, for example.
On top of that, his bias is not as visible as it happens with other authors - Paul Preston, for example.
October 14, 2013
Was reading Ciano's diaries and wanted a good, clear explanation and overview of the Spanish Civil War to provide context for italian actions. This book filled the bill -- very, very clear and well presented. Topical chapters discuss big issues, with overall narrative woven in. Much easier to follow and grasp than another book I picked up at the same time that was mostly a blow-by-blow chronological narrative.
One nice advantage -- with 2012 publication, Payne is able to review and discuss evolution of the viewpoints on the war and the two sides. Debunks common view of the left as the "good guys" and the right as "fascists." Not nearly that simple -- the left really brought the civil war on itself by its undemocratic actions.
The book is part of the "Cambridge Essential Histories" series -- designed for high-level college students. I'll look for other works in the series.
One nice advantage -- with 2012 publication, Payne is able to review and discuss evolution of the viewpoints on the war and the two sides. Debunks common view of the left as the "good guys" and the right as "fascists." Not nearly that simple -- the left really brought the civil war on itself by its undemocratic actions.
The book is part of the "Cambridge Essential Histories" series -- designed for high-level college students. I'll look for other works in the series.
July 10, 2017
Perhaps the best and far the more accurate book about the spanish civil war. Made me change my mind about many things:1. why the war started, why the republicans could not win even one major city, what happened behind the fron etc
June 12, 2023
This book was surprisingly very informant of the Spanish civil war considering how short it is!
It's a great introduction to the subject if you have never read about it beforehand.
It's a great introduction to the subject if you have never read about it beforehand.
July 10, 2016
It's a bit difficult to evaluate the impacts of the Spanish Civil War from a 21st century perspective because the two contending sides--totalitarian socialism/communism and totalitarian fascism--mostly do not exist in today's political geography. Started as a socialist/communist revolt against a repressive monarchy with a limited parliament (1934-36), the civil war then entered a new phase (1936-39) when the right-leaning (eventually Fascist) military staged a counter-revolution and all-out war of attrition. The war would eventually bring in military and economic assistance from the Soviet Union on the Republican or "Loyalist" side and Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on the Nationalist side. The Republican side enjoyed better press at the time and in the decades that followed because of the building and then world-shaking war against Fascism (two examples include Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and a brief reference to the war in the movie "Casablanca"). However, this book makes pretty clear that a lot of terrible acts, ranging from theft to mass murder, were performed by both sides. [Minor spoiler if you're not familiar with the history:] The Fascist side under Generalissimo Francisco Franco eventually won in 1939 and went on to rule Spain until 1975. Under the new realities of the Cold War, Franco began the slow process of liberalizing the Spanish economy and turning the back into a monarchy. Spain didn't have a formal constitution or traditional Western-style parliament until after Franco's death.
This was a conflict I knew very little about, so it was good to get the knowledge. However, one problem with the organization of the book is that it covers the civil war by topic (political, military, economic) rather than discussing the conflict chronologically. As a result, events are repeated, and it can be difficult to piece things together as a whole. Still, given the high-blown rhetoric occurring in the current U.S. election cycle, I thought it worth reading about this intense left-right conflict that happened not so long ago. One would hope it never gets so bad here.
This was a conflict I knew very little about, so it was good to get the knowledge. However, one problem with the organization of the book is that it covers the civil war by topic (political, military, economic) rather than discussing the conflict chronologically. As a result, events are repeated, and it can be difficult to piece things together as a whole. Still, given the high-blown rhetoric occurring in the current U.S. election cycle, I thought it worth reading about this intense left-right conflict that happened not so long ago. One would hope it never gets so bad here.
April 10, 2017
This is a good short history of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939. The author begins with a brief lol at Spanish history from unification under Ferdinand and Isabella to the eve of war and the abdication of the king,Alphonso XIII. The author also traces the great influence of the Catholic Church has played in Spain's history.
The book then details the formation of the Republic and the attempts to form a democracy. Why this attempt failed and the forces, both social and political, that led to the civil war are examined.
The author follows the progress of the war from both the Nationalist and Republican sides. He shows how each side organized their respective areas and their strengths and weaknesses in fighting the conflict. The author also traces the origins and effects of the foreign intervention in the conflict. Germany and Italy on the Republican side and Russia on the Nationalist side.
The author also discusses the effects of the conflict on the people, the economy, the church and how the war was viewed in world opinion.
The book then details the formation of the Republic and the attempts to form a democracy. Why this attempt failed and the forces, both social and political, that led to the civil war are examined.
The author follows the progress of the war from both the Nationalist and Republican sides. He shows how each side organized their respective areas and their strengths and weaknesses in fighting the conflict. The author also traces the origins and effects of the foreign intervention in the conflict. Germany and Italy on the Republican side and Russia on the Nationalist side.
The author also discusses the effects of the conflict on the people, the economy, the church and how the war was viewed in world opinion.
June 22, 2016
Excellent; precise, concise, unbiased
August 8, 2019
Good overview of the forces that lead up to the Spanish Civil war.
Well worth the read.
Well worth the read.
December 24, 2021
A clear eyed view of confusion
Excellent and concise rendering of a very confusing war presented with great clarity. A must read for anyone interested in this topic.
Excellent and concise rendering of a very confusing war presented with great clarity. A must read for anyone interested in this topic.
November 9, 2019
This is a good balanced history of the Spanish Civil War in a very readable 250 pages. It avoids the sanctification of the Republicans and demonization of the Nationalists that taints many other histories of the period. This is nearly the only war in which the losers largely wrote the history.
The organization is a little quirky, with groups of short chapters switching between A) linear historic narrative and B) a focus on a specific topic such as religion or propaganda. This interrupts the flow, but overall it works acceptably. A more serious complaint is that the book has only four rudimentary maps. Some of the significant text refers to locations that aren’t identified on any of these maps, which is an easily avoidable flaw. Other histories of this period have much better maps; this one shortchanges the reader.
It is still well worth reading this book for a good overview of the period that has more balance and less propaganda than nearly all of the alternatives.
On reflection after finishing the book, the parallels with the developing situation in the US are disturbing:
“the left… identified the new Republic not so much with a democratic process to be scrupulously respected as with a radical reform project, for which Manuel Azaña and other leaders sometimes used the term ‘revolution.’ To them, ‘the Republic’ meant less a political system than a special cultural and institutional reform program, under which it was indispensable to exclude permanently Catholics and conservatives from any participation in government.” (p.13)
“Whereas the CEDA has accepted an electoral law written by its opponents, the left contended that the Catholic party could not be permitted to win elections – even under rules drawn up by the left – because the CEDA proposed fundamental changes in the Republican system. Although the left had just finished drastically altering Spain’s political system and the Socialists proposed to go much further yet to introduce socialism, the left maintained that the Catholic right could not be allowed to introduce any other changes, irregardless of how many votes it received. The left insisted that the Republic constituted not an equal democratic regime for all, but a special project exclusively aligned with the left.” (p.17)
“Only ten years earlier, in 1923, most of the left had demanded full democratization. As soon as it arrived, they rejected it when it failed to guarantee their domination.” (p.18)
“Turning to rightist deputies, [Azaña] challenged them directly by saying 'Did you not want violence…? Then take to violence. Be prepared for the consequences.' This was an extraordinary gesture after the CEDA's five years of observing Republican legality, a bizarre spectacle of a parliamentary prime minister challenging the opposition to something approaching civil war." (p.43)
“A fundamental mistake of all the left was their total scorn for the right, which they judged to have rendered impotent by historical change. They held devoutly to this belief, and only found how inaccurate it was when it had become too late.” (p.49)
The organization is a little quirky, with groups of short chapters switching between A) linear historic narrative and B) a focus on a specific topic such as religion or propaganda. This interrupts the flow, but overall it works acceptably. A more serious complaint is that the book has only four rudimentary maps. Some of the significant text refers to locations that aren’t identified on any of these maps, which is an easily avoidable flaw. Other histories of this period have much better maps; this one shortchanges the reader.
It is still well worth reading this book for a good overview of the period that has more balance and less propaganda than nearly all of the alternatives.
On reflection after finishing the book, the parallels with the developing situation in the US are disturbing:
“the left… identified the new Republic not so much with a democratic process to be scrupulously respected as with a radical reform project, for which Manuel Azaña and other leaders sometimes used the term ‘revolution.’ To them, ‘the Republic’ meant less a political system than a special cultural and institutional reform program, under which it was indispensable to exclude permanently Catholics and conservatives from any participation in government.” (p.13)
“Whereas the CEDA has accepted an electoral law written by its opponents, the left contended that the Catholic party could not be permitted to win elections – even under rules drawn up by the left – because the CEDA proposed fundamental changes in the Republican system. Although the left had just finished drastically altering Spain’s political system and the Socialists proposed to go much further yet to introduce socialism, the left maintained that the Catholic right could not be allowed to introduce any other changes, irregardless of how many votes it received. The left insisted that the Republic constituted not an equal democratic regime for all, but a special project exclusively aligned with the left.” (p.17)
“Only ten years earlier, in 1923, most of the left had demanded full democratization. As soon as it arrived, they rejected it when it failed to guarantee their domination.” (p.18)
“Turning to rightist deputies, [Azaña] challenged them directly by saying 'Did you not want violence…? Then take to violence. Be prepared for the consequences.' This was an extraordinary gesture after the CEDA's five years of observing Republican legality, a bizarre spectacle of a parliamentary prime minister challenging the opposition to something approaching civil war." (p.43)
“A fundamental mistake of all the left was their total scorn for the right, which they judged to have rendered impotent by historical change. They held devoutly to this belief, and only found how inaccurate it was when it had become too late.” (p.49)
October 14, 2022
西班牙內戰在華文圈也是冷門至極的主題了，大概繁體就麥田早年出過的世界史小專題叢書有一本，還有林達寫的半旅遊文學《帶一本書去西班牙》有還算豐富的介紹。事實上我對於這段歷史的認識都是來自於後者，林達的文筆優美，觀察細膩，已經是準史學作品了。
去年簡體市場一口氣冒出了兩本這個主題的作品，分別是本文要介紹的Slanley G. Payne跟Burnett Bolloten。純就內容詳細度來說，前者是不能跟後者相比的，但坦白講，兩位作者本來就目標不同。Payne與其說是要詳述西班牙內戰，不如說是分析、討論介紹最新研究成果，是一本較進階的作品，而非通史。也因此，本書的篇幅不長，作者按照主題分門別類，快速向讀者呈現了各種見解跟論點。不過，其實Payne還是花些筆墨鋪陳史實，一般讀者看的時候不至於一頭霧水。
雖然我早知道這場內戰並不像一般通說那樣，合法左翼執政對抗反叛法西斯獨裁那樣簡單，可看了本書，這才知道，事實上30的年代西班牙政局混亂程度較之威瑪共和也是絲毫“不遜色”。左右兩派各種作死的節奏，誰也沒認真把真正的法治民主精神放在眼中，只是假著一個軀殼，自行其是。誠如作者所強調，二十世紀意識形態的大戰重要的特色，就是其趕盡殺絕的程度讓人髮指，這場鬥爭已經很難用什麼道德去批判，可能真的要用鮮血換來教訓才能有真正的體悟吧。
在這種環境下粉墨登場的佛朗哥，嚴格來說他不是英雄人物，二十世紀的眾多獨裁者中或許只是二流，但卻恰好是他的國家所欠缺的人。左派的失敗在於其從頭到尾無法建立真正的統一戰線，反觀右派，佛朗哥一開始就掌握西班牙最精銳的部隊，能跟他匹敵的同儕又死的“正逢其時”，他的獨尊也就那麼順理成章。儘管他並不雄才大略，但穩紮穩打，適時爭取外援跟敵人自己作死，終於成就其霸業。之前閱讀林達的作品時我就對此人頗感興趣，有意思的地方在於他對於西班牙未來究竟抱持怎樣的想像。眾所皆知，佛朗哥在1947年把國體定為天主教君主國，自任終身攝政(印象中這不是首例，貌似匈牙利也有人玩過)，然後到了晚年真的迎回王室後裔，進而開啟憲政民主化的道路。這是他從一開始就打的算盤嗎？還是是因為沒辦法家天下(他沒兒子)而不得不做的選擇呢？佛朗哥的執政對西班牙來說應該是很難簡單的評判，誠然，做為獨裁者背負的原罪他一個都跑不掉，不過他執政多年，聰明的沒有加入軸心國，利用冷戰找尋國際空間，帶領西班牙逐步現代化，臨死前選對了繼承者讓民主化有了可能實現的機會，這都是正面的。或許就像蔣經國一樣應該是毀譽參半，端看你屁股下面坐的是哪張椅子決定吧。Payne對佛朗哥的領袖特質做了簡單的分析，但僅止於內戰有關的部分，讓人意猶未盡，作者也有寫此人傳記，希望能夠引進。
總的來說，本書翻譯流暢，除了幾個小錯字外沒啥大問題，要說缺點的話，就是寧可花錢印一張有點詭異的海報送讀者，卻沒附上半張地圖，怎麼都讓人百思不得其解吧。以上，推薦給有興趣的朋友。
去年簡體市場一口氣冒出了兩本這個主題的作品，分別是本文要介紹的Slanley G. Payne跟Burnett Bolloten。純就內容詳細度來說，前者是不能跟後者相比的，但坦白講，兩位作者本來就目標不同。Payne與其說是要詳述西班牙內戰，不如說是分析、討論介紹最新研究成果，是一本較進階的作品，而非通史。也因此，本書的篇幅不長，作者按照主題分門別類，快速向讀者呈現了各種見解跟論點。不過，其實Payne還是花些筆墨鋪陳史實，一般讀者看的時候不至於一頭霧水。
雖然我早知道這場內戰並不像一般通說那樣，合法左翼執政對抗反叛法西斯獨裁那樣簡單，可看了本書，這才知道，事實上30的年代西班牙政局混亂程度較之威瑪共和也是絲毫“不遜色”。左右兩派各種作死的節奏，誰也沒認真把真正的法治民主精神放在眼中，只是假著一個軀殼，自行其是。誠如作者所強調，二十世紀意識形態的大戰重要的特色，就是其趕盡殺絕的程度讓人髮指，這場鬥爭已經很難用什麼道德去批判，可能真的要用鮮血換來教訓才能有真正的體悟吧。
在這種環境下粉墨登場的佛朗哥，嚴格來說他不是英雄人物，二十世紀的眾多獨裁者中或許只是二流，但卻恰好是他的國家所欠缺的人。左派的失敗在於其從頭到尾無法建立真正的統一戰線，反觀右派，佛朗哥一開始就掌握西班牙最精銳的部隊，能跟他匹敵的同儕又死的“正逢其時”，他的獨尊也就那麼順理成章。儘管他並不雄才大略，但穩紮穩打，適時爭取外援跟敵人自己作死，終於成就其霸業。之前閱讀林達的作品時我就對此人頗感興趣，有意思的地方在於他對於西班牙未來究竟抱持怎樣的想像。眾所皆知，佛朗哥在1947年把國體定為天主教君主國，自任終身攝政(印象中這不是首例，貌似匈牙利也有人玩過)，然後到了晚年真的迎回王室後裔，進而開啟憲政民主化的道路。這是他從一開始就打的算盤嗎？還是是因為沒辦法家天下(他沒兒子)而不得不做的選擇呢？佛朗哥的執政對西班牙來說應該是很難簡單的評判，誠然，做為獨裁者背負的原罪他一個都跑不掉，不過他執政多年，聰明的沒有加入軸心國，利用冷戰找尋國際空間，帶領西班牙逐步現代化，臨死前選對了繼承者讓民主化有了可能實現的機會，這都是正面的。或許就像蔣經國一樣應該是毀譽參半，端看你屁股下面坐的是哪張椅子決定吧。Payne對佛朗哥的領袖特質做了簡單的分析，但僅止於內戰有關的部分，讓人意猶未盡，作者也有寫此人傳記，希望能夠引進。
總的來說，本書翻譯流暢，除了幾個小錯字外沒啥大問題，要說缺點的話，就是寧可花錢印一張有點詭異的海報送讀者，卻沒附上半張地圖，怎麼都讓人百思不得其解吧。以上，推薦給有興趣的朋友。
October 13, 2025
It is a very short book explaining the author's view on the Spanish Civil War. As such is very opinionated and it seems to rely too much on secondary sources.
It is very interesting in the sense that it will present a view different from what you can get as the common British view of "Franco was a bad guy that fought against the wonderful democracy that was Spain in 1936".
On a personal level my grandparents were on different sides of that war. As an example, my maternal grandfather fought for the republic and was even political commissar. My maternal grandmother was in Madrid, hidden as part of a Catholic organisation. I would have loved to talk with them about it knowing a bit more.
I will wait for a more definitive opinion on the book before reading Hugh Thomas massive volume.
It is very interesting in the sense that it will present a view different from what you can get as the common British view of "Franco was a bad guy that fought against the wonderful democracy that was Spain in 1936".
On a personal level my grandparents were on different sides of that war. As an example, my maternal grandfather fought for the republic and was even political commissar. My maternal grandmother was in Madrid, hidden as part of a Catholic organisation. I would have loved to talk with them about it knowing a bit more.
I will wait for a more definitive opinion on the book before reading Hugh Thomas massive volume.
September 22, 2022
My family lived through it.My parents in law also lived through it.In fact, my father in law went to prison for fighting on the Communist side.
This book is the most accurate I have come across from the Spanish Civil war.I absolutely recommend.
This book is the most accurate I have come across from the Spanish Civil war.I absolutely recommend.
October 16, 2018
Informative and well-researched, but it felt like I was reading a brick.
July 8, 2021
Informative and interesting account ranging broadly across the political and historiographical issues. More than a mere retelling, with good analysis and reflection on the prevailing currents.
January 31, 2024
If you want to read a book about the Spanish Civil War, this would be the best choice.
By far.
By far.
February 7, 2024
By far the best book on the Spanish Civil War.
March 14, 2017
This was an excellent introduction to the Spanish Civil War. Stanley Payne lays out the events, issues, and concepts surrounding this conflict in a clear, analytical style and draws on resources well. Another reviewer described this survey as "cool" and "forensic", and I agree with this observation. Payne's "cool, forensic gaze" has both advantages and disadvantages as I prefer at least a little humanistic passion to color my learning of history. I recognize that I cannot consider myself fully informed or knowledgeable about the Spanish Civil War after reading a single volume. However, I do feel that this was a wonderful place to start.
March 16, 2021
The best book on the Spanish Civil War I’ve ever read. Also...the ONLY book on the Spanish Civil War I’ve ever read so far. But that speaks to how good it might be for you, even if you have no prior interest or knowledge. It took me a few chapters to get invested, so I’d say stick with it a bit if you pick it up but aren’t immediately drawn in.
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