Scan barcode
Reviews
The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition and Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain by Paul Preston
chuckri's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books that angers the reader because of the injustices perpetrated during the Spanish Civil War, some by both sides, but primarily by those allied with Franco. Also, the role of the Catholic church is pretty shocking. One would expect good Christians to oppose cruel treatment of anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. When priests not only advocate the execution of the opposition but actually do the executing one has to wonder, if there is an afterlife, where those priests are today.
Like all oppressive regimes, Franco and his allies understood early that they had to control people's thoughts. They had a very effective propaganda machine designed to convince the Spanish public and the rest of the world that the Spanish Republicans were really the evil ones. In some cases, particularly with the anarchists, that was true. For the most part, though, Franco's forces were much more brutal with innocent people than the Republican forces were.
The biggest problem I had with this book was the repetitive detail. Mr. Preston catalogs pretty much what happened in every town in Spain. There are sections where he tells ad infinitum what the rebel forces did as they marched from town to town, and it is the same in each town--torture and kill the political leaders, teachers, writers, etc., and all their family and friends. The local women seemed to get the same torture everywhere--raped, shaved their heads, made them drink castor oil, marched them in front of the public. After a few of these towns, we get the idea and don't need it repeated endlessly.
Another problem with the book is the plethora of names Mr. Preston gives. There are literally thousands of names in the book, and almost all of them are mentioned only once. There is little need to list the name of a mayor of a small Spanish town, especially when the mayor is quickly executed and plays no other part in the book. Many of these people's names are given and one or two sentences are devoted to them. It seems there should have been an editor for this book, someone to tell Mr. Preston he needs to cut out about a quarter of what he has.
Aside from these two problems, this was an interesting book. Mr. Preston is extremely knowledgeable about his topic. If someone is researching the Spanish Civil War, I would say this book is a must-read. However, if you want a more readable book that gives more of an overview of the war, I would look elsewhere.
Like all oppressive regimes, Franco and his allies understood early that they had to control people's thoughts. They had a very effective propaganda machine designed to convince the Spanish public and the rest of the world that the Spanish Republicans were really the evil ones. In some cases, particularly with the anarchists, that was true. For the most part, though, Franco's forces were much more brutal with innocent people than the Republican forces were.
The biggest problem I had with this book was the repetitive detail. Mr. Preston catalogs pretty much what happened in every town in Spain. There are sections where he tells ad infinitum what the rebel forces did as they marched from town to town, and it is the same in each town--torture and kill the political leaders, teachers, writers, etc., and all their family and friends. The local women seemed to get the same torture everywhere--raped, shaved their heads, made them drink castor oil, marched them in front of the public. After a few of these towns, we get the idea and don't need it repeated endlessly.
Another problem with the book is the plethora of names Mr. Preston gives. There are literally thousands of names in the book, and almost all of them are mentioned only once. There is little need to list the name of a mayor of a small Spanish town, especially when the mayor is quickly executed and plays no other part in the book. Many of these people's names are given and one or two sentences are devoted to them. It seems there should have been an editor for this book, someone to tell Mr. Preston he needs to cut out about a quarter of what he has.
Aside from these two problems, this was an interesting book. Mr. Preston is extremely knowledgeable about his topic. If someone is researching the Spanish Civil War, I would say this book is a must-read. However, if you want a more readable book that gives more of an overview of the war, I would look elsewhere.
stewarthome's review against another edition
4.0
Dry and depressing account (from a liberal perspective) of the atrocities committed during the Spanish civil war. Preston describes anarchist cruelty and excesses (as well as the attempts of other Republican factions to curb them), while making it clear that only Franco and the fascists operated on the basis of a policy of organised terror, and that the crimes against humanity committed by the nationalists completely dwarf the lesser excesses of some of the anarchists. Turgidly written but well worth reading all the way through.
welshcoaster's review against another edition
4.0
This book is really important in trying to come to terms with the Spanish Civil War but it is painful to read. I have always thought that that war was a tragic defeat for the forces of progress and civilisation but this book makes that defeat seem even more depressing as it uncovers the true brutality of the opposing factions. Before the war, traditional forces of conservatism in Spain were implacable in their determination to crush any glimpses of progress so they forced the left into even more extremes of their own cruelty.
This book examines in forensic detail the atrocities committed by both sides but squarely states that Franco's side was responsible for the worst crimes in both scale and heartlessness. Because of his sadistic determination (enthusiastically supported by the church and ruling class), his victory was total for over 30 years and resulted in an understandable unwillingness of Spaniards to confront their history. I hope that this exposure helps them come to terms with their history.
This book examines in forensic detail the atrocities committed by both sides but squarely states that Franco's side was responsible for the worst crimes in both scale and heartlessness. Because of his sadistic determination (enthusiastically supported by the church and ruling class), his victory was total for over 30 years and resulted in an understandable unwillingness of Spaniards to confront their history. I hope that this exposure helps them come to terms with their history.
More...