Franco: A Biography Paperback – 11 Jul 2011

From the Publisher

YORKSHIRE POST BOOK OF THE YEAR 1994
"General Franco was the most successful of 20th-century dictators in Europe. He was also the most unlikely. Franco had none of the charisma of some of his counterparts. Yet he was loved and hated as much as any of them. The portrait of Franco that emerges here is is far removed from both the demonologies and the hagiographies to which he has been subjected for so long. Preston's book skilfully weaves together anecdote and analysis in a seemingly effortless and enthralling narrative. His portrait is fascinating and chilling at the same time. As a biography of Franco, it is unlikely to be surpassed." Sebastian Balfour, SCOTSMAN

"Will stand as the definitive biography of the Caudillo...no history of modern Spain can be written from now on without constant recourse to the lavish and fascinating details and the penetrating analyses of this masterly work." Bernard Knox, LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS

"It is difficult to see this marvellous, brilliantly written and surely authoritative biography ever being matched. It is a book which any historian would be proud to have written." Ian Kershaw, TIMES HIGHER

"No previous study has told us so much about the formation of Franco's character. It grips the reader even in familiar passages from Franco's life. Its poised judgements and masterful scholarship make it certain to endure and difficult to refute." EUROPEAN

"This terrific book finally buries Franco. I read all its pages with unfailing fascination and sometimes astonishment. It is a tremendous piece of work." INDEPENDENT

"Preston's book is a work of great scholarship, making use of much new material. But it is not dry : He is a master of narrative, with an eye for the arresting and sometimes horrific detail. A gripping read." DAILY TELEGRAPH

"Brilliantly clear-minded and detailed...the definitive biography of Franco; there is nothing to match it in Spanish. It is a triumph of clarity, judicious analysis and detailed research." Colm Toibin, SUNDAY TIMES

From the Back Cover

"General Franco was the most successful of the 20th century dictators in Europe. He was also the most unlikely. Franco had none of the charisma of some of his counterparts. Yet he was loved and hated as much as any of them. The portrait of Franco that emerges here is far removed from both the demonologies and the hagiographies to which he has been subjected for so long. Preston's book skilfully weaves together anecdote and analysis in a seemingly effortless and enthralling narrative. His portrait is fascinating and chilling at the same time. As a biography of Franco, it is unlikely to be surpassed."
SEBASTIAN BALFOUR, 'Scotsman'

"Will stand as the definitive guide of the Caudillo… no history of modern Spain can be written from now on without constant recourse to the lavish and fascinating details and the penetrating analyses of this masterly work."
BERNARD KNOX, ' London Review of Books'

"It is difficult to see this marvellous, brilliantly written and surely authoritative biography ever being matched. It is a book any historian would have been proud to have written."
IAN KERSHAW, 'Times Higher'

"No previous study has told us so much about the formation of Franco's character. It grips the reader even in familiar passages of Franco's life. Its poised judgements and masterful scholarship make it certain to endure and difficult to refute."
FELIPE FERNANDEZ-ARMESTO, ' European'

"This terrific book finally buries Franco. I read all its pages with unfailing fascination and sometimes astonishment. It is a tremendous piece of work."
JAN MORRIS, 'Independent'

"Preston's book is a work of great scholarship, making use of much new material. But it is not dry: he is a master of narrative, with an eye for the arresting and sometimes horrific detail. A gripping read."
NICHOLAS GORDON-LENNOX, 'Daily Telegraph'

"Brilliantly clear-minded and detailed… the definitive biography of Franco; there is nothing to match it in Spanish. It is a triumph of clarity, judicious analysis and detailed research."
COLM TOIBIN, 'Sunday Times'