Roosevelt, Franco, and the End of the Second World War - (World of the Roosevelts) by J Thomàs (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book is a study of the relations between the US and Spain, particularly during the period from 1943 to 1945, when the Roosevelt Administration and the Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to challenge the Pro-Franco Regime, culminating in the Battle of Wolfram and the embargo of petroleum products.

Review Quotes

"This book, another useful contribution by the leading Spanish historian of Hispano-US diplomatic history, should find a home in college libraries, as well as in the collections of readers interested in the history of Spain, the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt, as well as World War II." - H-Diplo

"This book should interest students of the U.S.-Spanish relationship as well as those of international history more broadly . . . The scholarly merits of the book are strong." - The American Historical Review

"This book offers new insights into the diplomatic initiatives and style of Roosevelt and Franco, as well as of the other principal actors, such as Lieutenant General Francisco Gómez Jordana, the Spanish foreign minister, and Professor Carlton J. H. Hayes, the distinguished historian who served as ambassador to Madrid. In addition, it yields new insights and understanding regarding the working of the State Department and other branches of government in wrestling with so controversial an issue as policy regarding the Franco regime. One of the most interesting aspects is the treatment of the considerable differences between London and Washington on this question, something that has never before been brought out in detail. This is a unique study in so far as it is the first work in either language that deals with the full range of U.S.-Spanish relations for the entire period of World War II." - Stanley G. Payne, Hilldale-Jaume Vicens Vives Professor ofHistory Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"This is an excellent work, which makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Spanish history, American foreign policy under President Franklin Roosevelt, as well as the economic struggles between the Axis and Allies during World War II." - Wayne H. Bowen, Professor and Chair, Department of History, Southeast Missouri State University

"Thomàs, the expert in the field, has written a masterful and important study of U.S.-Spanish relations during World War II." - Michael Seidman, Professor, Department of History, University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of The Victorious Counterrevolution: The Nationalist Effort in the Spanish Civil War

"This is one of the most important books to appear on Spain's role during World War II in some years and represents a significant addition to the literature on the early years of the Franco regime, particularly with respect to how it formulated and implemented foreign policy. Thomàs pulls the whole range of issues together that Spain and the United States faced, filling many gaps in the story which others have only written about in slices. It is an important addition to the fast growing area of Spanish diplomatic history and to the literature on the U.S. during World War II." - James W. Cortada, IBM Institute for Business Value

About the Author

JOAN MARÍA THOMÁS Professor of Contemporary History at the Universidad Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain.