“The pictures are there, and you just take them.”
One of the most impactful, romanticised and destructive wars in modern history, the Spanish Civil War was fought between 17 July 1936 – 1 April 1939. Contested between the left-leaning Republicans and right-wing Nationalists, the war has come to symbolise the class, political, religious and ideological divides that continue to impact the country to this day.
The war has also been described as a ‘dress rehearsal for World War II’ due to the technologies and strategies introduced in the conflict that would later be used during the war, as well as the influx of foreign forces on both sides. From the passion it inspired to informative accounts of the brutal fighting, join us at What We Reading for the best Spanish Civil War books!
The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction – Helen Graham
Kicking off this list of the best Spanish Civil War books is Helen Graham’s snappy introduction to the conflict. Graham’s introduction highlights the political, social and cultural history of the war, exploring the domestic and international context with an easy-to-grasp delivery. As well as following the course of the war, Graham traces how the rapid modernisation of Europe and polarising politics at play across the country helped set Spain on a course towards the conflict that would split it in two.
Combining authority with accessibility, Graham’s book remains one of the best resources for understanding the context of the war and how it continues to impact Spanish society to this day.
The Battle For Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 – Antony Beevor
Acclaimed historian and bestselling author of Stalingrad and The Battle of Arnhem Antony Beevor offers a comprehensive guide through the Spanish Civil War to mark the 70th anniversary of its outbreak.
Utilising new material from the Russian archives as well as other resources, Beevor’s work is accessible and fast-paced in its delivery. Offering a balanced and insightful perspective, The Battle for Spain explores the tumultuous events that led to the war’s start, as well as the immediate and long-term consequences of it.
Hotel Florida: Truth, Love, And Death In The Spanish Civil War – Amanda Vaill
Amanda Vaill presents a remarkable true tale of love during the destruction in Hotel Florida. Set in Madrid in 1936, readers follow Ernest Hemmingway, Martha Gellhorn, Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, Arturo Barea and Ilsa Kulcsar as they trace the opening acts of the conflict through the eyes of these three couples.
Hotel Florida follows the trio as they attempt to untangle their destinies from a noir landscape of spies, soldiers, revolutionaries, writers and artists. From the raw material left behind in the form of letters, memoirs, diaries, documents, reels of film and high-quality photography, acclaimed biographer Vaill captures the essence of brother vs brother and friend turning to foe in Hotel Florida.
The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, And Revenge – Paul Preston
Touted as the leading historian on all things Spain, Paul Preston presents one of the most informative guides to the Spanish Civil War in his introduction to the conflict. In it, Preston delves into the heart of the build-up to the war, and how the progressive movements of the Depression years led to Spain being divided in two.
He draws fascinating lines on how the Spanish Civil War acted as a precursor to WW2, and how the brutality of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship was captured by the wealth of artists, writers and linguists in the country at the time. For a compelling look at the ideological forces in play throughout the conflict, this remains one of the best Spanish Civil War books.
Homage To Catalonia – George Orwell
One of the most critically respected commentaries on politics, literature, language and culture, Homage to Catalonia is George Orwell’s first-hand account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War. One of the most fierce opponents to totalitarianism in history, the British novelist famously served with the POUM militia of the Republican army during the war.
Homage to Catalonia spans the period between December 1936 and June 1937, and features Orwell’s own personal experiences training in Barcelona, getting shot on the frontlines and his escape to France after the POUM was declared an illegal organisation. Not only is Orwell’s work a defining commentary against totalitarianism, but also one of the best Spanish Civil War books for understanding what the conflict looked like to those fighting on the frontlines.
The Spanish Civil War – Hugh Thomas
Hugh Thomas’ One-volume of the Spanish Civil War continues to be acclaimed as one of the most informative books on the conflict ever since its first publication in 1961. Presenting an unbiased, analytical and objective overview of the conflict, Thomas maps out the political, religious and ideological stakes that made the war such an international affair.
He also expertly answers the most asked questions surrounding the period, including why the Republican cause collapsed so quickly, why the US, UK and France refused to intervene and why so many left-wing volunteers were roused to fight against Franco.
Spain In Our Hearts: Americans In The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 – Adam Hochschild
Another one of the best Spanish Civil War books for understanding the conflict and America’s complicated relationship with it remains Adam Hochschild’s Spain in Our Hearts. Nominated for Best History and Geography in the Goodreads Choice Awards, Hochschild chronicles the history of the Spanish Civil War through the eyes of a dozen different characters.
From Hemingway to Orwell, there is a celebration of the most figures from the conflict, as well as some equally compelling, albeit lesser-known figures from it. The result is a captivating and informative read that captures the valiant causes these individuals fought for, as well as how the war captured the sympathies of those even in a non-intervening America.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
