The Spanish Civil War

The photo on the cover of the book showing a ME 109 Fighter Plane making a hair raising ground pass exemplifies this impressive study of the Spanish Civil War in striking detail. There are few studies on the Spanish Civil War, possibly because of the lack of interest in the subject, generated by observers there that complained nothing was learned from it. Mr. Antony Beevor reexamining of the Spanish Civil War provides a different aspect,, that reveals the shocking developments thatoccurred and the implications of that War that transcended it.Well Written , without Hype or Hysteria , of the Political , and Military events.Mr. Beevor provides the interesting details of battle , such as why Mosquito Hill was called Mosquito Hill, because of the sound the Bullets made.Mr. Beevor also includes key unit information about weapons and equipment, the German Heinkel 51 WW I type Bi Plane, that was then replaced by the ME 109 in mid 1937 to address the performance imbalance against Russian Fighters.The Spanish Civil War received little recognition , in terms of Historical Relevance, Mr. Beevors The Spanish Civil War addresses thislapse in Decisive Historical Studies,, of Political, Military History that are of paramount importance in World Events.

The Spanish Civil War, by Anthony Beevor, is a fairly detailed survey of the history of this occasionally confusing period. Beevor spends a few chapters giving much needed historical background. The detail is necessary but a little dry and perhaps exhaustive to read as an introduction. The social and economic history of Spain is dealt with in enough detail to put the civil war in context. After covering the events leading up to the war, the bulk of the book is devoted to a very detailed, more or less chronological history of the war itself.The events leading the to defeat of the Spanish Republic are sometimes referred to as a civil war within a civil war. Much attention is paid to distinguishing the various factions and personalities on both sides of the war. The Carlists, the Falange, PUOM, the Communists, the anarchists, et al, are all dealt with in detail so the reader is never really confused about how their aims, and why they did what they did. Beevor also spends time discussing regional differences among various factions. Lots of attention is paid to how the Republican forces were consumed largely from within, and how the various Nationalist factions also suffered some degree of discord.. In the end, fractionalization of Republican forces, Soviet style purges, a Communist take-over and just plain bad military and political leadership led to their inevitable defeat.Beevor is dispassionate in his treatment of both sides. There's no real moralizing: I saw no obvious agenda. Instead, he gives detailed descriptions of the agendas, excesses and strengths and weaknesses of all sides and factions.Against all of this was the background of foreign intervention. Again, Beevor goes into detail about the German, Italian and Russian interventions, and the lessons learned (or not learned) by each. The book also covers the incredible failure of the European and American democracies to do anything stop the war, and the hypocrisy involved in all their policies vis-a-vis Spain and the treatment of the various factions.Overall, this book is an excellent history of the war. The detail is thorough enough to make some parts a little slow to read. All sides are covered in detail, with no evident political agenda. Events are covered in extreme detail and all the factions are thoroughly explained. I would not call this the `definitive' history of the war, but this is an excellent, detailed overview and a must read for anybody interested in this period.

A classic I've not read yet .Great copy,thanks !

Prior to purchasing this book, my knowledge on the Spanish Civil War was limited to a footnote in a history book. I'm very glad to have purchased this and expanded my horizons. Not an enthralling combat memoir, but a good overview of a conflict that deserves more attention than it receives.

The Spanish Civil War was one of the great events of the 20th century. It was the great clash between an elected republican government, despite all its inherent flaws, and fascism.Antony Beevor has compiled a fine history of the events of 1936-39. He carefully tracks the election of the republican government and then the subsequent coup initiated by Franco. War followed with all its inevitable carnage until Franco finally captured Madrid and then continued seeking retribution from any remaining government supporters.In many respects, war in Spain was probably unavoidable. The two sides had divergent views that democracy seemed unable to manage. Foreign intervention to support the government was virtually non-existent while Franco had the direct and continuing support of both Hitler and Mussolini. The western democracies simply sat on their hands. The only support that the republic could muster was the limp assistance offered by Stalin, a man with much blood on his hands. Spain was thus trapped in slowly heating cauldron with no escape.Beevor's work is to be commended. However, it is inevitable that his work will be compared with his subsequent books on the siege of Stalingrad and the fall of Berlin. When this comparison is made, it is clear that "The Spanish Civil War" is a markedly lesser effort than his later works. Yet do not let this fact deter the keen reader of history. Spain was a massive tragedy and its story needs to be understood.

As with Beevor's other excellent books, The Spanish Civil War offers a clear, concise history of such a tumultuous period. For anyone who wants to get a good overall picture of the war, cause, effect and sociopolitical turmoil that surrounds it but without the waffle, this is ideal.

Far too many details/names/events. Left it after reading less than half. You tube (History Channel) offers F.O.C. a concise and clear version.

One of the best books on the Spanish Civil War. From my perspective (I am Spanish) it is well-balanced (not biased): it is concise and based on facts. I am an admirer or Beevor's works and I can say that this book (written before all his famous books on Stanlingrad, the fall of Berlin) it is worth reading albeit probably not his best work.

Excellent factual read, as my grandfather took part in the war and I have never known the motive behind him volunteering to take part against family wishes.

a great book on a lead up to the 2nd world war and the part that franco played in the war