This book tells the tragic story of the Spanish Civil War through the eyes of writers, artists and musicians who were deeply involved and close to it. By means of chronological chapters covering the major phases the author describes the roles of figures such as Arthur Koestler, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, George Orwell, Esmond Romilly, Martha Gellhorn (Hemingway’s lover), Salvador Dali, the poet Federico Lorca (who was killed) etc. Other famous names include the spies Kim Philby and Anthony Blunt. The progress of the War is followed from the outbreak rebellion of summer 1936, through Seville, the war in the Aragon Mountains, Madrid, Malaga, the arrival of the International Brigades in 1937, the notorious destruction of Guernika by the German Condor Legion, Barcelona and Franco’s victorious march, checked briefly on the Ebro.

Personal stories from the soldiers who volunteered to fight for a cause they passionately believed in. The Spanish Civil War, which raged from 1936-9, was a brutal and intense war which claimed well over 500,000 lives. Rightly predicting that the rise of Fascism in Spain could develop into a more global conflict, almost 2500 British volunteers travelled to Spain under the banner of the International Brigade to fight for the Spanish Republic in an attempt to stem the tide. Acclaimed oral historian Max Arthur has tracked down the eight survivors of this conflict, and interviewed them for their unique perspective, their memories of their time fighting and the motives which compelled them to fight. Theirs is a unique story, of men and women volunteering to lay down their lives for a cause, believing passionately that the Spanish Republic's fight was their fight too. From Union leader to nurse, Egyptologist to IRA activist, these survivors have incredible, compelling and sometimes harrowing tales to tell of their experiences, revealing their ideologies, pride, regrets, and feelings about the legacy of the actions they took.