The Spanish Civil War: History, Memory, Representation

An International Interdisciplinary Conference
Date: 9th-10th February, 2008
Venue: Temple of Peace


The Launch of Dr. Angela Jackson's New Book:

Wine and Canapé Reception
8pm, Friday, 8th February, 2008
Temple of Peace, Cardiff





At the Margins of Mayhem is the first study to explore the period of relative calm before the Battle of the Ebro; the last great battle of the Spanish Civil War. After a disastrous retreat from Aragon in the early spring of 1938, the volunteers of the International Brigades, together with the Spanish and Catalan soldiers of the Republican Army, regrouped just north of the Ebro river. During the following weeks they recovered their morale, trained for the coming offensive and interacted with the people of the villages.
The research examines both local and foreign perspectives, using sources ranging over seventy years. Apart from written material in letters, memoirs and press reports, this amply illustrated book draws on new interviews with International Brigaders and Catalan villagers. Many of the photographs showing soldiers and local people have never been published before.
Largely ignored by historians until now, this period between battles brings to light different aspects of warfare. From the Catalan perspective, the book investigates the impact of the presence of large numbers of soldiers on the civilian population, and the reaction of children to such tremendous upheavals in their formerly tranquil lives. From the point of view of the foreign troops in the International Brigades, there are other questions to consider. To what extent, for example, could dearly held ideals of social justice and equality be maintained despite the huge power imbalance between the military and civilians? Also not to be underestimated was the key effect on morale within the Brigades resulting from the attitudes of civilians towards the soldiers in their midst.
At the Margins of Mayhem shows how this particular period of the Spanish Civil War is, and was, remembered, highlighting episodes and emotions in the lives of those that were to be so greatly affected by this terrible battle.


The Launch Party is co-sponsored by:

Warren & Pell Publishing,
The Old Bible Christian Chapel,
High Street, Abersychan, Pontypool, Torfaen. NP4 7AG. Uk.
Tel. 01495 775561/07966 631286
warren.ofbooks@virgin.net
www.warrenandpellpublishing.co.uk