Prologue; 1. The Spanish Army in 1936; 2. Military and paramilitary forces in Spain on 18 July 1936; 3. The militia months: July–December 1936; 4. Militarisation; 5. Professional officers in the Republican Army; 6. A new officer corps; 7. The experience of individuals; 8. The political commissars; 9. The communists, the anarchists and the Republican Army; 10. International aspects; 11. Reorganisation; 12. The Casado uprising; Conclusions; Appendices; Bibliography.
A military history of the Spanish Civil War focussing on the challenges faced by the Republican Army.
Michael Alpert is Emeritus Professor of the History of Spain at the University of Westminster.
'This book by Professor Michael Alpert is probably the most
exhaustive study of the Popular Army of all those completed until
now … his analysis of the overall development of the Army, its most
salient characteristics and particular aspects, is unsurpassed …'
Anales de Historia Contemporanea (review of Spanish language
edition)
'This revised edition is the best and most readable account of the
Spanish Republican Army in any language, fully informed and
admirably objective. A unique institutional history.' Stanley G.
Payne, Hilldale-Jaume Vicens Vives Professor of History Emeritus,
University of Wisconsin, Madison
'This is a thorough and painstaking account of the Republican Army
from its pre-Civil War origins to its defeat in 1939, based on
years of research in archives, and correspondence and interviews
with protagonists. It mobilises a wealth of evidence from primary
sources to the latest secondary literature. Its analysis is
scrupulously balanced, lucid, and dispassionate.' Sebastian
Balfour, Professor Emeritus, London School of Economics and
Political Science
'How refreshing [to] find a book that is intensely researched in
the primary sources, scrupulously fair in its analysis, and of
genuine utility in understanding this complex struggle … Incisive
yet wide-ranging, this book offers a wealth of information and
insights … Indispensable for modern European collections …
Essential. All levels/libraries.' G. P. Cox, Choice
'An outstanding account of the Ejercito popolar republicana …
Professor Alpert gives us a comprehensive, sympathetic, but by no
means uncritical look at a surprisingly effective 'improvised' army
… an essential read for anyone interested in the Spanish Civil War
or the improvisation of military armies.' Albert Nofi, Strategy
Page (strategypage.com)
'Alpert's rich, eminently readable and objective book is a welcome
addition to the English-language historiography on the Spanish
Civil War. Perhaps its greatest value, however, will not be for
historians of Spain, who have been reading and citing his
Spanish-language books for over three decades, but in the field of
comparative history. Transnational historians will, for example, be
able to use the case of the Republican Popular Army to ask more
general questions about building and disciplining an armed force
during a period of revolution and civil war.' James Matthews,
Journal of Contemporary History
'Originally published in Spanish in 1977 and revised in 2007, this
excellent work is finally available in English. Prof Alpert
(emeritus Westminster) gives us a comprehensive, sympathetic, but
by no means uncritical look at a surprisingly effective
'improvised' army. … an essential read for anyone interested in the
Spanish Civil War or the improvisation of military armies.'
StrategyPage (www.strategypage.com)
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