Franco: El Dictador Que Moldeó Un País / Franco: The Dictator Who Shaped a Country [Spanish]

By Giles Tremlett

En esta penetrante obra, el hispanista Giles Tremlett recorre la intensa vida y el legado de Francisco Franco, el enigm tico dictador que defini el siglo XX de Espa a.

Francisco Franco pas en pocos a os de ser un joven oficial an nimo a convertirse en el general m s joven de Europa, conocido por su ambici n, talento y capacidad de mando.

Sin embargo, su figura como uno de los dictadores m s longevos de la historia contempor nea mundial sigue siendo objeto de debate. Con el golpe de Estado militar que lider y el personal simo r gimen de influencias fascistas instaurado tras tres a os de cruenta guerra civil, destruy una Espa a pujante y modernizadora o salv al pa s del caos izquierdista?

Esta nueva y ambiciosa biograf a explora las complejidades de la personalidad de Franco: su dif cil relaci n con un padre exigente y liberal, su mesi nica adopci n de la guerra como forja de la naci n y la formaci n de su ideolog a autoritaria. La historia contin a con su implacable liderazgo durante la Guerra Civil, sus alianzas con Hitler y Mussolini, y la Guerra Fr a que a continuaci n le permiti rehabilitarse internacionalmente.

Tremlett estudia c mo Franco model Espa a desde una perspectiva que cuestiona su caracterizaci n como un l der vacilante. En realidad, presenta a un dictador obstinado y reaccionario, pero de ideas pol ticamente simples, que us el terror para mantener su f rreo control del pa s. Tras el fracaso de sus pol ticas aut rquicas y obligado cambio de rumbo a mitad de camino, lo que acabar a siendo su legado m s duradero (y sorprendentemente anacr nico) fue el largo periodo de estabilidad que permiti que, a su muerte, Espa a se sacudiera el esp ritu absolutista que l mismo representaba.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

In this incisive work, Hispanist Giles Tremlett covers the intense life and legacy of Francisco Franco, the enigmatic dictator that defined twentieth century Spain.

Within a few years, Francisco Franco went from being an anonymous young officer to becoming the youngest general in Europe, known for his ambition, talent, and ability to command.

However, his figure as one of the most long-lasting dictators in contemporary world history is still a matter of debate. With the military coup he led and the highly-individualistic regime with fascist influences established after three years of a bloody civil war, did he destroy a thriving modernizing Spain, or did he save the country of left-wing chaos?

This new and ambitious biography explores the complexities in Franco's character: a difficult relationship with his demanding liberal father, his messianic adoption of war as a way to forge a nation, and the creation of his authoritarian ideology. The story carries on with his implacable leadership during the Civil War, his alliances with Hitler and Mussolini, and the Cold War that later allowed him to restore himself internationally.

Tremlett studies how Franco modeled Spain from a perspective that questions his characterization as a wavering leader. In truth, he presents an obstinate and reactionary dictator, but with simple political ideas; a man who used terror to keep his fierce control over the country. After his autocratic policies failed, forced to change course halfway through, what would end up being his most lasting (and surprisingly anachronic) legacy was the long period of stability that allowed Spain, upon his death, to shake off the absolutist spirit he himself embodied.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN: 8419951463
• ISBN13: 9788419951465
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Debate
• Length: 664 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.