5.0 out of 5 stars Mad Delusion Of Propaganda

M.V. · July 31, 2006

The Battle For Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 is a book that focuses on not just the causes of the conflict and military actions taken during it, but also on the ideals, goals and politics that shaped the two sides.The facts of the war have always interested me and the author does a good job of adding new and updated information. I knew that the German pilots used the war to try out new tactics, like flying in pairs and mass bombing, but I didn't know that the Stuka dive-bomber was first used in the Spain or that the 88mms were used in Spain against ground targets as while as enemy aircraft (I thought the German 88mms were first used against ground targets in the invasion of France). I knew Germany and Italy helped the Nationalists while Russia and Mexico helped the Republic but had no idea that Hermann Goring sold weapons to the Republic or that Ford, Studebaker and GM supplied 12,000 trucks to Franco!I did not know that Franco offered to enter the Second World War on the side of the Axis. I knew about the Spanish Blue Division but not about the thousands of Spanish Republicans who fought for the USSR or the French resistance.First person accounts from Russian sources add new perspectives. Now, in all the sad detail, we can watch the infighting between socialists, anarchists, republicans, Basque nationalists, communists and so many other groups within the Republican Zone. We can watch the lies, the back stabbing, the tactics of terror, the dehumanization of the enemy, the string pulling, the blackmailing, the killings and the consequences of said actions as the war rages on. And the National Zone isn't a paradise either, with war trials that started almost with the first shot and did not end till sometime in the late 1950s.The book also touches on European events and how the nations of the world reacted to (or failed to react to) the Spanish Civil War. Nothing is in a vacuum and the book makes clear the complex balance of power that the European powers were trying to weave to keep the peace. In the end the crumbling Republic would find itself a sideshow with the clouds of another World War forming on the future horizon.The amazing part is Antony Beevor's skill in linking all the major events, one by one, without being too heavy handed. His light touch allows us to swiftly understand the problems each side faced and how each side dealt (or did not deal) with them. And the aftermath that followed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Historic and Prophetic

A.C. · January 18, 2012

Having heard stories of the Spanish Civil War from my father who was a merchant marine officer and had his ship stopped frequently and raided for cigarettes, I've always been intrigued by the personalities involved in the war. Anthony Beevor's book is most certainly the best book I've read written on this conflict. It lays excellent historical context and provides interesting political analysis and information derived from Nazi and Soviet sources.Most books on this conflict are written from a pro-Republican perspective. I have yet to read one from a full Francoist viewpoint. Beevor's writing is generally evenhanded but he certainly devotes more time in the book to Republican matters. This may be due to his sources but there were a few instances where I felt he clearly sympathized with the Republicans.Beevor writes clearly about the human aspect of all the parties involved and their desires for a better life for themselves, their families and their national/regional loyalties. While each regional group within Spain clearly had their loyalties to their state, I never got the feeling they did not consider themselves Spanish. And there lies the tragedy of this and all civil wars. When civil discourse breaks down and armed conflict begins, there are no winners.A few things stood out for me. They are observations that I think have near universal application in our world. First I appreciate all the more the religious freedom we have in the US. Regardless of your viewpoint, faith or non-faith, the Spanish Civil War highlights the evils of state religion and the oppression that can result. Secondly, the war demonstrated how the politicalization of classes, outside of one's culture, is dangerous. Ethnic diversity that does not blend into and impact the dominant culture, but chooses to remain separate, breeds extremists. Thirdly, it demonstrated how political reforms that seek to reverse injustices or inequities done without consideration for political dialog and most importantly; time, are doomed to fail. Fourth, it demonstrated the need for people to carefully consider giving their allegiance to a political party or a bunch of power-hungry people. Charismatic political leaders tend to be dangerous. Lastly, people desire to be self-determining and free to make decisions without outside influence. History clearly validated Spain's desire to be a proud and self-determining people through its non-violent radical transformation from authoritarianism to parliamentary Republic.From a political standpoint, I was intrigued by the Soviet advisors whose quest for power always seemed to end in their demise. Sometimes it seemed safer to be on the battlefield than an adviser to Stalin. In the end, I think the Republican's lost the war largely because of their over-reliance on Stalin and their fractured ideology. Without Germany and Italy's assistance to Franco, they probably would have. Clearly they were outgunned by the Nationalists, but the incompetence of Stalin's political officers on the ground and their selfish motives seemed to create confusion and chaos that helped splinter the military command and any national will to win the war.The book is very engaging and I could not put it down. My only difficulty reading came from the fact the book is filled with European "alphabet soup" that made it hard to follow. Europe has a long history of using abbreviations for political parties and their associated wings. The author provided an index of abbreviations and terms and I found myself flipping back and forth (which is a little harder on the Kindle which I used to read this book) However, at times I found myself lost as to what side he was referring to(Republican or Nationalist) in the narrative.I mentioned this book as prophetic in my title. I kept thinking of the political polarization of my own country, the propaganda and class warfare being played by the two main political parties and the willingness of the people to place their hopes in politicians. I see great similarities in the rhetoric today as is expressed in this book. We fought a civil war 125 years ago and it's my hope that anyone who reads this book will use it as a motivation to reflect on what can happen when we ratchet up the divisiveness and place our hope in a charismatic leader to save us.

Tough read

J.G. · March 24, 2016

Extraordinarily detailed great research but the narrative was hard to follow at times. However interesting and informative on a conflict overshadowed by events elsewhere

100%

T. · July 9, 2021

I do so love a story with a happy ending.In our timeline I would say we are up to page 50 or so… dangerous times ahead.

Great for a important time

B.L. · July 7, 2024

This was a great book it covers a changing point in time when some of the major players of world war 2 would show their hand, I would recommend, thanks.

Excelente producto

M. · August 28, 2024

Es un libro voluminoso, pero con un tamaño de letra agradable a la lectura y hojas suficientemente gruesas para que no se noten la impresión al reverso. Tiene mapas e ilustraciones que ayudan a la inmersión de lo que fueron los acontecimientos.

ottima ricezione ottimo libro.

C.A. · October 7, 2018

mi ci vorrà un po più di tempo per esprimere un giudizio completo. ma l'autore è già una garanzia di completa soddisfazione.