The Spanish Civil War is one of the few modern conflicts whose history has been written more by the losers than the winners. This is unsurprising when one remembers the passions of the time and the ensuing sense of moral outrage increased by the crimes of Nazi Germany, General Franco’s most effective ally. Yet, as Stanley G. Payne points out in his conclusion to The Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union and Communism, out of all the ideological myths of the twentieth century, “probably none has been more enduring than the myth of the Spanish Republic”.

Professor Payne’s book is a lucid and important reassessment of the great myth that the Spanish struggle was one of “democracy versus fascism”. Payne comprehensively destroys the liberal Left’s version of events...

There is nothing in any recent book on the subject to soften the cold brutality of the Nationalists. Asked by an aide during lunch about what should be done with some captured militiawomen, General Franco shocked even Hitler’s ambassador by replying that they should all be shot. He then raised his fork to his mouth without a pause. But more than enough has emerged to confirm that all those who went to fight on behalf of the Republic in the cause of freedom were completely duped.