Architects of Terror, Paul Preston
Architects of Terror, Paul Preston
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Architects of Terror

Author: Paul Preston

Narrator: Robin Laing

Unabridged: 16 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/02/2023

Synopsis

A HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR From the preeminent historian of 20th century Spain Paul Preston, is a new history of how paranoia, conspiracy and anti-Semitism was used to justify the military coup of 1936 and enabled the construction of a dictatorship built on violence and persecution. It is the previously untold story of how antisemitic beliefs were weaponised to justify and propagate the Franco overthrow of liberal Spain. The Spanish military coup of 1936 was launched to overturn the social and economic reforms of the democratic Second Republic, and its educational and cultural challenges to the established order. The consequent civil war was fought in the interests of the landowners, industrialists, bankers, clerics and army officers whose privileges were threatened. However, a central justification for a war that took the lives of around 500,000 Spaniards was that it was being fought to combat an alleged scheme for world domination by a non-existent ‘Jewish- Masonic-Bolshevik Conspiracy’. Despite the fact that Spain had only a tiny minority of Jews and Freemasons, Franco and his inner circle were ardent believers in this fabricated conspiracy and spread the notion that the survival of Catholic Spain, as well, of course, of the establishment ’ s economic interests, required the total annihilation of Jews and Freemasons. Architects of Terror The Protocols of the Elders of Zion This is a history that reverberates in our own political moment

About Paul Preston

Paul Preston, author of The Spanish Civil War, Franco, Juan Carlos, and The Spanish Holocaust, is the world's foremost historian on twentieth-century Spain. A professor at the London School of Economics, he lives in London.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Elionor on September 27, 2022

Llibre indispensable per situar els termes en què es va disputar la guerra civil espanyola. Paul Preston fa una declaració de principis en el primer capítol del llibre "Fake News y Guerra Civil" en el que deixa clar que l'orientació ideològica del Règim es basa en l'antisemtisme, contra la masoneria......more

Goodreads review by Mari on August 29, 2022

Preston retrata a varios personajes claves para cimentar la ideología franquista, obsesionada por el «contubernio judeomasónico», y para ejecutar los crímenes que ésta exigía. Salvo Queipo de Llano y Mola, desconocía al resto de personajes, pero todos resultan igual de espeluznantes. El perfil de ca......more

Goodreads review by Santiago on December 08, 2021

N'he llegit la traducció al català de Montserrat Pérez. Amb el suport d'una consistent documentació i una bibliografia pertinent com ja ens té acostumats l'historiador Paul Preston, el llibre s'enceta amb les Fake news que aplanaren el camí de la rebel. lió i justificaren la crueltat de la repressió......more

Goodreads review by James on April 29, 2024

Aside from the research and light he sheds on the times under study – in this case the roots, battles and aftermath of the Spanish Civil War - what makes a Paul Preston book unique is his very particular, passionate narrative voice. He’s there with you on every page, in his incredulity at what he co......more

Goodreads review by José on July 26, 2022

Paul Preston es un historiador que siempre me gusta leer cuando tengo algo de tiempo libre, y siempre aprovecho el verano para leerlo. EN está ocasión el libro habla de la ideología del bando sublevado durante la Guerra Civil Española, y como esta ideología se fue fraguando en los años anteriores. D......more

Quotes

A HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘Deeply researched and revealing . . . Preston’s study is based on both profound knowledge and shrewd human understanding’ ‘Preston’s great skill lies in carefully dissecting these vile characters…This book reveals Preston at the peak of his powers; he’s an enormous intellect and a great storyteller’ Praise for (2020) A Best History Book of 2020 ‘For decades, Paul Preston has been one of the English-speaking world’s premier historians of modern Spain. His latest book, dealing with the controversial topic of corruption in Spanish politic, public administration and business, is particularly good on the Franco dictatorship and post-Franco democratic era’ Financial Times ‘Fascinating … The depth of the book’s research cannot be faulted and the examples of grand malfeasance and political corruption are extraordinary … Buried in the narrative lies ample treasure … I applauded Preston’s heroic feat.’ ‘Tremendously rich and learned … Preston is one of Britain’s finest historians … This book, massively researched … Powerful, persuasive and utterly fascinating – makes for harrowing reading’ Sunday Times ‘A magisterial study of [Spain’s] turbulent past, seen through the optic of those apparently ineradicable twins: corruption and political incompetence … Races along in a riveting fashion, replete with eye-catching and often blackly humorous anecdotes …Preston’s narrative combines his gift for cogent, summarising clarity and for telling details …Preston has written an admirable book – a lively, comprehensive history of modern Spain.’ Guardian

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