History Books I've Read on the Spanish Civil War

Don't let the word 'war' fool you - the political and social aspects of Spain's Civil War are the focus here

You know you want to read more. I know you want to read more. So here’s a topic worth reading about!

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) is one of my absolute favorite parts of history. But don’t worry! It’s not one of my favorites because of troop movement and battlefield maneuvers. In fact, I know next to nothing about those aspects of the conflict, and I hope it stays that way. Keep the Military History Industrial Complex © at bay!

William, how can you be interested in the Spanish Civil War, but not the War itself?

I am interested in the political and social aspects of the War, not troops movements. This often overlooked interlude between World War I and World War II contains ideological extremism, romanticized violence, famous authors, a hopeless cause, international intrigue, and a narrative that is fought over to this day. It’s friggin’ interesting.

At birds-eye view, the Spanish Civil War began when a majority of the Spanish Army began an uprising against the Government of the Second Spanish Republic on July 17, 1936. Led by General Francisco Franco, the Nationalist forces would defeat the forces of the Republic years later, on April 1, 1939. Spain’s dictatorship would last until 1975.

A military uprising leading to a dictatorship is not even scratching the surface, though. Gen. Franco’s forces formally joined with Falangists, a ‘conservative authoritarian’ political movement inspired by fascism and Mussolini. Franco’s war was underwritten by that very man, Mussolini, and to an even greater extent, by the personal patronage of Adolf Hitler. Like his funding Führer, Franco would go on to give himself a title, Caudillo, implying statesman and military officer infused.

What about the other side, the defending Republic? The Government of the Second Spanish Republic was narrowly elected in 1936, an amalgamation of left-wing parties known as the Popular Front. The Frente Popular was a mix of run-of-the-mill liberals, socialists, communists and anarchists - to contrast with the Nationalists, the only thing ‘traditional’ about the Republicans was their left-wing instinct for infighting.

Marina Ginestà in Barcelona, 1938. Women’s liberation was also a huge point in the fight for Spain.

Despite the chaos of the Republican factions, they were considered the legitimately elected Government, and volunteers arrived from around the world to defend them. One of them was the democratic socialist (and author) George Orwell. Orwell arrived in Catalunya and joined the POUM, an independent, anarchist and anti-stalinist militia. His time in Spain would harden his views against Stalinism, inspiring works like Animal Farm and 1984.

The War and its many protagonists and antagonists have called me back over and over through the years, which is why I made a corny mini-doc in Madrid years ago:

But before I lose myself in thousands of words and spoil the story for you, let’s get into some books on the Spanish Civil War!

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