How the Spanish Civil War Became Europe’s Battlefield

By: Pamela B. Radcliff, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Pamela B. Radcliff

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The Spanish Civil War was a local conflict on the margins of Europe—a short yet bloody series of battles in a lull between the great World Wars—but the conflict was a microcosm of war in the 20th century. Not only did the Spanish Civil War foreshadow the global conflagration to come, but it also had its roots in the modern era’s central divides: urban versus rural, religion versus secularization, rich versus poor, progress versus tradition, democracy versus fascism and communism.

The only exposure many of us have had to information about the Spanish Civil War comes from the artistic masterpieces of Pablo Picasso’s painting Guernica and Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. Beyond these representations, however, the shadow of the war lives on as new information continues to emerge about the authoritarian rule of General Francisco Franco and the nation he built from the rubble of the war.

In this course, you will have the opportunity to explore this fascinating, complex, and often brutal history. How the Spanish Civil War Became Europe’s Battlefield takes you to the front line and introduces you to the competing coalitions on each side to look at the issues of a perennially confounding military and social history. Taught by Professor Pamela Radcliff of the University of California, San Diego, these 24 scintillating lectures survey the aspects of an endlessly multifaceted history.

Among many topics, you will investigate how Spain transitioned from a seemingly peaceful democracy to a nation torn by war, the role of the Catholic Church and the international community in supporting each side, and how ordinary soldiers and citizens experienced the war. You will reflect on the complicated legacy of the war. Since the Nationalist leader General Francisco Franco took power and held authoritarian rule for decades after the war, information about the war itself was limited until the later decades of the 20th century. Professor Radcliff delves into the so-called “memory wars” of the 21st century to show how multiple narratives of the war continue.

From the political polarization in the Second Republic to the urban warfare during the war years, this course is a magnificent overview of an astonishing history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 The Great Courses (P)2023 The Teaching Company, LLC

Good Overview

Informative and thorough look at Spanish Civil War. Excellent for beginner, however, a little difficult at first keeping caught up with various sides involved with political and social movements that led to war. Much more than Republicans vs Fascists. Reflective of existing divisions in America post-civil war.

Academic Treatment

Nothing wrong here. It was an academic treatment of the war. This is my first time to read a book specifically about the Spanish Civil War. I will likely come back to the subject with a narrative driven piece, but this was a great intro that will help me understand that narrative.

Much More Than a Military History

Writing as someone who previously possessed only a superficial understanding of the Spanish Civil War, this course provided an excellent introduction to that conflict. The bulk of this series is devoted to mapping out the complex social and political dimensions of the war, so if you’re looking for something like a blow-by-blow military history, you may be disappointed. Themes such as art, propaganda, religion, ideology, economics, geopolitics and gender roles are the focus, as is defining the Spanish Civil War's place in the evolution of "total war." Professor Radcliff is extremely knowledgeable and her intense personal interest in her topic reminded me at times of Suzanne Desan, whose brilliant “Living the French Revolution” is one of my favourite history courses. I can’t predict how listeners already familiar with the Spanish Civil War will assess these lectures, but they definitely filled a gap in my education.

Good information but a biased perspective

There was a lot of good information in the audio series and it was worth the time listening to the audiobook. The author seemed unusually pro-Marxist/Leninist and was very forgiving of Stalin. The book paints a picture of good (communist Republican) vs bad (Franco fascist), when most other accounts I've read on this war are bad (totalitarian fascist) vs bad (totalitarian communist). I suppose this stems from an inherent socialism/communism bias that seems prevalent at many universities.

Bad Narration

Please, if you can't pronounce a word in Spanish don't try to say it with a Spanish accent. Super distracting. Rolled my eyes so many times I almost blinded myself!