Scots and the Spanish Civil War - by Fraser Raeburn (Paperback)

About the Book

Drawing on newly-declassified government documents and international archives in Spain and beyond, this book explores the many ways in which Scots responded to the Spanish Civil War (1936-9).

Book Synopsis

Few causes before or since have inspired such passion, determination and sacrifice than the Spanish Civil War (1936-9). This book explores the many ways in which Scots responded to the war in Spain, covering the activists and humanitarians who raised funds and awareness at home, as well as the hundreds of Scots who journeyed to Spain to fight as part of the International Brigades. Their stories reflect much larger narratives of the rise of European fascism, the networks and cultures of international communism and the wider modern phenomenon of transnational foreign fighters.
Scots and the Spanish Civil War is a groundbreaking study of Scottish involvement in one of the 20th century's most famous and divisive conflicts, drawing on newly-declassified government documents and international archives in Spain and beyond. As well as shedding new light on Scottish politics in the 1930s, Fraser Raeburn argues that this case study - part of the largest wave of foreign war volunteering in the 20th century - can help us understand other such mobilisations, past and present.

From the Back Cover

'Raeburn's book will immediately be warmly welcomed by scholars in Spanish Civil War Studies as one of the most distinguished contributions in the field in recent years. The Scottish volunteers for Spain emerged from a radical, complex and compelling political culture that has now found its historian.' James K. Hopkins, Southern Methodist University Why did so many Scots offer their time, their money and even their lives in aid of the Spanish Republic? Few causes before or since have inspired such passion, determination and sacrifice than the Spanish Civil War (1936-9). This book explores the many ways in which Scots responded to the war in Spain, covering the activists and humanitarians who raised funds and awareness at home, as well as the hundreds of Scots who journeyed to Spain to fight as part of the International Brigades. Their stories reflect much larger narratives of the rise of European fascism, the networks and cultures of international communism and the wider modern phenomenon of transnational foreign fighters. Scotland and the Spanish Civil War is a groundbreaking study of Scottish involvement in one of the 20th century's most famous and divisive conflicts, drawing on newly declassified government documents and international archives in Spain and beyond. As well as shedding new light on Scottish politics in the 1930s, Fraser Raeburn argues that this case study - part of the largest wave of foreign war volunteering in the 20th century - can help us understand other such mobilisations, past and present. Fraser Raeburn is a Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Edinburgh. Cover image: Spanish Civil War, International brigade, propaganda poster (c) akg-images / WHA / World History Archive Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-5947-1 Barcode

Review Quotes

Overall, this is a fine book. The author knows what he is seeking to do, and does it well.--Edward Andrews "History Scotland"

Raeburn's book will immediately be warmly welcomed by scholars in Spanish Civil War Studies as one of the most distinguished contributions in the field in recent years. The Scottish volunteers for Spain emerged from a radical, complex and compelling political culture that has now found its historian.--James K. Hopkins, Southern Methodist University

About the Author

Fraser Raeburn is a historian of Modern Britain and Europe at the University of Sheffield.