As for Civil War vs. Anti-fascist war, it was both and people have a hard time understanding how difficult it is to pigeon-hole situations. I think a good example is the way the US viewed Vietnam as a war against global communism (domino theory) but the Vietnamese viewed it as a fight for their self-determination. It was both, and more one than the other from time to time.

What is true is the Spanish people were tired of their old system. They elected a government, the wealth and power of Spain rejected that government and began a Civil War. It was then the rest of the world became involved.

It easy to villify the socialists and Russians, their methodology and agenda was not as pure as some would like. At the same time, it is hard to villify them without looking very hard at the fact that Germany and Italy supported Franco. It is a mess when the people you have to really look hard at as one v. the other is Stalin v. Hitler and Mussolini. My point is none of the factors are isolated.

I think FWTBT is a politically cool answer. It’s by a manly man, at the same time romantic and sappy, and it’s a good book for all its faults. I can see Obama’s attraction to it’s idealism and I can see McCain’s attraction to that same idealism. We sometimes forget that McCain was a relatively young man while in captivity. It is easy to forget that Republicans and military men have hearts and souls and they bleed just like the rest of the world’s romantics. No one but an idealist volunteers to defend a nation, a set of beliefs and puts service before self to the extent of putting their life out there on the line for those romantic ideals … freedom, liberty, justice.

I look forward to reading Winter in Madrid. I also enjoyed your comments very much,

Best,

Angie Dorman