Spanish Civil War: Basic and Essential

The list author says:
	"Although I dislike his conservative politics and his often-high political narrative, there is no work like it."

The list author says:
	"Brenan really does know what he is on about regarding Spain. Although a little dated by more recent work - no one has come close to understanding the collapse of the Second Republic."

The list author says:
	"One of the main reasons everyone knows about the SCW. Well-written and incisive. Sadly I have Homage to Catalonia as well..."

The list author says:
	"Monumental to say the least! Dense, academic but truly unparalleled. Always my first port of call for picking apart the sometimes complex history."

The list author says:
	"No one is yet to write a genuinely excellent history of the International Brigades as a whole unfortunately (in English). Baxell covers the UK... Very well!"

The list author says:
	"Excellent collection of essays covering a variety of topics, edited by the sublime Paul Preston."

The list author says:
	"Not ordered chronologically, and very lengthy but this book is truly superb."

The list author says:
	"Ealham is correct in saying that all 50000 of his monographs can be condensed into one, or two at most. This is one of his best."

The list author says:
	"Pioneering back in the day, a little dated now but informative and passionately argued. A comprehensive read."

The list author says:
	"Series of essays and articles written by/about Trots in Spain. Partisan but unequalled in terms of material on the non-Socialist/Communists/Anarchist left."

The list author says:
	"Partisan, selective and sometimes tedious, but at least its four times shorter than the official CNT history (which is MUCH better, but more expensive)."

The list author says:
	"All very well reading about it, see what it looked like. Pretty grim to be honest."

The list author says:
	"One of the more impressive accounts by journalists (that is actually affordable, in print and in stock!)."

The list author says:
	"If you thought Madrid was grim, wife of the aforementioned Gerald Brenan, she coined the term "pornography of violence". See why."

The list author says:
	"Excellent work on varying degrees of involvement and efforts by both sides and individuals. Alpert's work is always worth a look."

The list author says:
	"Barea's superb first-hand work combines both the hope, loss and anguish embodied in the war, when he eventually had a breakdown. Lengthy, but insightful."

The list author says:
	"As my review says, this book requires prior knowledge of the war but is the best thing I have read on it in YEARS."

The list author says:
	"I really enjoyed this, at times War and Peace-esque investigation into journalism and the war. Paul Preston is one of the main reasons I still enjoy reading about the war. Here's another one..."

The list author says:
	"Alright, it is is not essential but since its a .co.uk list I feel justified. Buchanan's work does have some gaps, but is 110% worth reading."

The list author says:
	"A collection of short writings by women who experienced the tumult, turmoil and tradegy that was."

The list author says:
	"Volunteer for Franco. Interesting, if a little military-all-over. Also has an interesting endnote regarding the last days of Sid Hamm. Othen's work on volunteers is also worth a look."

The list author says:
	"Expensive, but an excellent collection, along with the Gerda Taro archives. Heroism and defiance have many faces."

The list author says:
	"My favourite "general history" of the war. Left-leaning and covers the revolution, often language-laden but it really is excellent."

The list author says:
	"I wonder if they couldn't afford the rights to Homage to Catalonia? Similar story (and to the Wind that Shakes the Barely...) but worth a watch. Along with El Mar... and Pan's Labyrinth."

The list author says:
	"I thought it was alright... not great... but it has put life back into interest in the war so it gets my seal of approval."