Brad

Yes, I lived in Barcelona between 1965 and 1967. We then returned to the US, where I finished high school. We then moved to Madrid, where my parents lived between 1969 and 1976 and I used to go back at Christmas time and during the summers.

Hugh Thomas’ book on the Spanish Civil War first came out in the early 60s during the middle of the Franco regime. It told the full story of the War, including the atrocities committed by the Franco forces (as well as the Republican or government side, although those were much less). It was basically the unvarnished truth, something dictatorships don’t welcome. If a Spaniard had been caught with the book, they would have gone to jail. Foreigners like us would have probably been kicked out. Since this was the period when Spain was starting to open up economically, I don’t think we would have been beaten up or imprisoned. The book is a very readable account of the War and as I mentioned still holds up well today. He was an expert on Spanish history and wrote many other books dealing with Spain, although focusing on the 1500s and 1600s. Antony Beevor also wrote a good history of the War, which is a bit more succinct as I believe Thomas’ book is around 1000 pages.

I first read Thomas back in 1966 or 1967 when doing so could get you in a lot of trouble. I’ve read it a few other times over the years and it holds up pretty well. Another one I really like is Ronald Fraser’s Oral History Of the Spanish Civil War. Terrific book. Another one my father gave to me and he was a big SCW fan (he went to a lot of battlefield sites in and around Madrid when we were living there but I was in college) is Dark and Bloody Ground: A Guerilla Diary of the Spanish Civil War by F. Perez Lopez. It reads more like a fictional, picaresque history and we could never decide if it’s fiction or history orca combination of the two. Either way, a great book. You can still find some copies on eBay.

Without a doubt! One of my favorite sets.

Lots of them.

Do you have any interest in the Spanish Civil War?

There are some interesting stories and anecdotes waiting for you.

With only three stages left, I can't see Thomas being denied the victory. Quintana has waited too long to make his mark.

Especially the part about how Real Madrid is viewed as Franco’s team even though Madrid held out against the Nationalist forces until the end.

Glad you are enjoying it. Not just a football book but it mixes history and politics skillfully.

Jane Austen's First Buyer? Probably a Prince She Hated A recent discovery indicates that the Prince Regent (son of George III) may have been the first buyer of her book. George IV wasn't her favorite person.

Maybe, but they're instantly recognizable.

Could be a little of both. Astros were also supposedly in the bidding for him.

Definitely a pejorative. Isn’t it time for us oldsters to have a glass of warm milk and go to bed? Naaaaah!

Maybe he aggravated his ass, which is why he couldn’t run it out.

Look out for Ernie’s fan club knocking at your door By the way, it turns out there is a Jazz Hall of Fame. Actually, if you do a search some states have a jazz hall of fame. The Jazz Hall of Fame is called the Jazz at Lincoln Center Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame. See Jazz Hall of Fame It has some 50 plus members so far

Unfortunately, there are a lot of players like that.

Gary Sanchez is getting roasted this morning for not running hard to first on the final out of the game. He assumed the Rays would get the force out at 2nd but the Yankee runner beat the fielder. Sanchez then tried to turn it on but he was easily out.

I have the same issue. I must have purchased it about a month or so ago but just getting to listen to it now.

I believe requesting a burn violates Forum rules.

Wave is one of the best tracks, ever!

I read a couple of Simenon’s books that the NY Review of Books Classics issued, Act of Passion and Red Light. Both excellent although I preferred the former.