The Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939


Product Description
This is a long-awaited translation of a definitive account of the Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War. Michael Alpert examines the origins, formation and performance of the Republican Army and sets the Spanish Civil War in its broader military context. He explores the conflicts between communists and Spanish anarchists about how the war should be fought, as well as the experience of individual conscripts, problems of food, clothing and arms, and the role of women in the new army. The book contains extensive discussion of international aspects, particularly the role of the International Brigades and of the Soviet Russian advisers. Finally, it discusses the final uprising of professional Republican officers against the Government and the almost unconditional surrender to Franco. Professor Alpert also provides detailed statistics for the military forces available to Franco and to the Republic and biographies of the key figures on both sides.The Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 Review
The editorial reviews name this the long awaited English translation of the definitive account of the Republican Army. Given the popularity of study of the SCW, if this text was truly the definitive account, it would have been translated to English long before now. Some of the content may have been new when the Spanish language version came out in 1977, but almost the entire book has been clearly eclipsed by the numerous much better researched books on the SCW which have come out since then. The book is especially weak when it addresses technical issues such as the use of armor and aviation or details such as quantities of arms supplied by the Soviets. To be fair, the information on the establishment of training schools and the attempts to manage staff and promotions is good and not found in such detail elsewhere but this is the only highlight. There is absolutely no discussion of any of the major battles or any insight into Republican strategy. The book suffers from a ridiculously pro-Soviet take on every issue. Probably 10% - 15% of the entire text is about the role of the commissars in the Republican Army. We get details on their insightful, high quality, glossy publications and their commitment to stamp out illiteracy. All of the commissars were apparently really neat, really caring guys who never did anything harsh or violent - think of them as a Soviet Santa Claus. The author also makes straight forward statements of obvious Soviet propaganda talking points. For example, the Soviets had no influence or control of the dreaded SIM, the soviets did not even want to put commissars in Republican Army (it was a Spanish suggestion, of course), the commissars never over ruled unit commanders, the Soviet charges for the weapons supplied in exchange for the Spanish gold reserves was fair, etc. etc. The book has some minimal value and if you are doing exhaustive reading on the SCW it is worth a look but it certainly is not a unique or definitive account of the Republican Army.Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "The Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from The Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 ...
