David T. Gies

This is an essential text for teaching modern/contemporary Spanish history and culture. It is a thorough, collaborative introduction to Spain from 1870 to present. I have taught with it multiple times, and cannot recommend it more highly, especially for those that teach 19th and 20th century history/literature/art/culture. It is strong through 1975, but for those who teach the Transition and contemporary Spain, this is not necessarily the book you want. While it provides a firm platform for post-Franco topics, 1975-present is not its primary focus. For those that teach from the 1st Republic through the posguerra, though, it is excellent. Do recommend.… (más)

This is an essential text for teaching modern/contemporary Spanish history and culture. It is a thorough, collaborative introduction to Spain from 1870 to present. I have taught with it multiple times, and cannot recommend it more highly, especially for those that teach 19th and 20th century history/literature/art/culture. It is strong through 1975, but for those who teach the Transition and contemporary Spain, this is not necessarily the book you want. While it provides a firm platform for post-Franco topics, 1975-present is not its primary focus. For those that teach from the 1st Republic through the posguerra, though, it is excellent. Do recommend.… (más)