Newcastle University

Over the last fifty years Spain has become the most popular destination for UK citizens with over 10 million visitors each year. The influence of Spain in terms of business, culture, food, fashion and even sport has never been greater even though our general knowledge of Spanish history is sketchy at best. In Britain, the Spanish Civil War, the Franco regime and the transition to democracy after the dictatorship are often still shrouded in misguided romanticism with little understanding of the horror and violations of human rights that took place. In Spain, however, the bitter consequences of this period still reverberate today and continue to undermine Spain’s significant progress in terms of social renewal. Professor Paul Preston’s powerful study of man’s inhumanity to man has been hailed in Spain as an important contribution to the necessary truth and reconciliation process that has never had official support.