Raymond Carr's succinct and elegant volume is recognised as the classic account of the war, 'brother against brother', which established the Franco regime in Spain. Carr focuses on the disparities in Spanish society, between classes and the regions, and within these between centralists and separatists. He exposes the pitiful weaknesses of the political parties, which enabled Franco, 'the iron surgeon', to overthrow Catalan separatists and proletarian socialists alike. It was a war in which the riven country of Spain became the battleground of international forces, a war which aroused the fiercest political passions, and which became the vicious preliminary skirmish in the great clash of ideologies fought out in World War Two.
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About the Author
Born, 1919 and educated at Brockenhurst School and Christ Church College, Oxford, where he gained his D.Litt.. Fellow of All Souls College and of New College, and in 1967-68 was Oxford University Professor of the History of Latin America. From 1968-87 he was Warden of St Anthony's College, Oxford. He has also taught at Boston University, and is an Honorary Fellow of Exeter University. The recipient of decorations from the Spanish and Portuguese governments, he was knighted in 1987.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent balanced, judicious analysis of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath
3 Mar 2013
By F Henwood
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a balanced, classic account of the Spanish Civil War from a leading British historian of Spain. It is not a narrative account and presumes you have a bit of background knowledge of the war. It is an analytical, thematic account that covers social, economic and military factors, outlining why the war broke out but also dealing with post-war years up until the mid-70s. It is free of polemical simplification and judicious and balanced in its judgments. It genuinely leaves you free to make up your own mind about the conflict.
The book makes clear that the new Spanish republic in 1931 was in a hapless position. It did not have the power to deliver social change, disappointing the left, but alarming the right with its rhetorical posturing. Spanish Republicans found themselves presiding over a backward society and economy but unable to raise sufficient tax to do anything about it (income tax levels in the early 1930s varied from one to four per cent). It raised expectations on the left that could not be met. But what it did act to change, such as challenging the hold of the Catholic Church over education, frightened the political right. There is no evidence that the Republic desired or planned to take the country in the same direction as the Soviet Union but any challenge to the Church's cultural supremacy could not be countenanced. In the years before the Civil War, the middle ground gave way from pressure to the left and to the right and sowed the seeds for the military uprising in 1936 in which Franco was a leading, if not dominant figure at its beginning.
Once the war began, contemporaries and propagandists were both convinced right was on their side.... Read more ›
The book makes clear that the new Spanish republic in 1931 was in a hapless position. It did not have the power to deliver social change, disappointing the left, but alarming the right with its rhetorical posturing. Spanish Republicans found themselves presiding over a backward society and economy but unable to raise sufficient tax to do anything about it (income tax levels in the early 1930s varied from one to four per cent). It raised expectations on the left that could not be met. But what it did act to change, such as challenging the hold of the Catholic Church over education, frightened the political right. There is no evidence that the Republic desired or planned to take the country in the same direction as the Soviet Union but any challenge to the Church's cultural supremacy could not be countenanced. In the years before the Civil War, the middle ground gave way from pressure to the left and to the right and sowed the seeds for the military uprising in 1936 in which Franco was a leading, if not dominant figure at its beginning.
Once the war began, contemporaries and propagandists were both convinced right was on their side.... Read more ›
Format:Paperback
On principle never give 100% or in this case 5 stars, having been a lecturer for a large part of my life (albeit in Agriculture) as it can induce complacency! However, for a factual, in depth, summary of the events of the War, it would be hard to beat. Especially if one hasn't the stomach or patience to trawl thro' detailed accounts as in Beevor, Thomas or Preston. One cannot argue with Professor Carr's writing. After all, who am I to judge, a mere interested reader. There was everything one needs, such as references to Carlists and Agrarian issues which, I believe, are an important starting point for understanding the background to 20th/21st century attitudes.
My only real gripe would be the layout of the bibliography, which was helpful in being listed according to the chapter titles, but perhaps just needs getting used to!
My only real gripe would be the layout of the bibliography, which was helpful in being listed according to the chapter titles, but perhaps just needs getting used to!
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Raymond Carr's succinct and elegant volume is surely recognised as the classic account of the bloody war, 'brother against brother', which established the Franco regime in Spain.
As Alistair Hennessy wrote in the New Statesman, 'readers of Raymond Carr's previous work will know what to expect: a superlative command of a wide range of sources, economy of style enlivened by occasional idiosyncrasies, a sharp eye for obscure but significant detail, an awareness of cultural nuance, a first-hand acquaintance with the country and its people.'
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