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Rating: 
Summary: Complete detail about the ultimate political survivor
Review: I can still remember the many radio news broadcasts of my youth where the announcer said "Generalisimo Francisco Franco." Never General Franco or Spanish head of state Franco, always the full title. In terms of his leadership and his role in the world, there is a great deal to be impressed about. Of course, like so many "dictators for life" he lived about a decade too long. In this engaging and complete history of Franco's accomplishments, we learn of his successes, mistakes and firm grip on what was generally a rather light-handed dictatorship.
What was most impressive about Franco was his ability to play all sides against each other. As a history professor friend of mine says, "The Spanish Republic was a strange animal." With so many factions so bitterly opposed, it was inevitable that a conservative backlash would occur against the republic. Given that the political middle had essentially disappeared in Europe and another war was obviously on the horizon, it was inevitable that the Spanish Civil War become international in scope. Franco was a leader of the insurrection and his final rise to power was largely due to the support of Mussolini and Hitler, and not insignificantly, the Catholic Church. However, even though he was also ideologically disposed to favor the fascist states in the Second World War, Franco was largely able to keep Spain out of the war. Furthermore, despite the hostility of the victorious democracies after the war, he was able to remain in power and preside over an economic expansion unprecedented in the history of Spain.
Payne examines all aspects of the reign of Franco in explicit detail. Statistics from economic productivity to the crime rate and number of executions per year are all used to explain the successes and weaknesses of the Franco government. There is also no hint of an ideological tilt to the descriptions. Unlike other writers who let their personal political beliefs creep into their descriptions, Payne keeps to the facts. Sometimes, too much so, as there are places where a bit of additional historical analysis would have improved the telling.
Much is made at the end about how Franco was urged to transfer power before his health reached the point where it would lead to a comatose government. While some of this is true, Franco's handling of the ascension of Prince Juan Carlos was masterful. After the death of the dictator, there was no great upheaval in Spain, and the way King Juan Carlos handled the attempted coup was masterful. Spain emerged as a stable society, avoiding most of the trauma that occurs when authoritarian governments end.
For many years, I have been fascinated by the actions of Franco. To me, he has always seemed to be the ultimate political survivor and I have wondered how he managed to do it. After reading this book, I am pleased with my decision to read it, for now I know much about how Franco was able to do what he did, die a natural death while still in power.
Rating:
Summary: Incomprehensible footnotes
Review: Mr. Payne's book The Franco Regime contains a wealth of first class information. In the course of studying it - a pleasurable affair, because of its fine style - I had however some disappointments when I went after checking some footnotes.1. On page 139 (in my copy) Payne relates the Guernica bombing. I was inclined to believe his every word, but his footnote 54 mentions an important author with the alleged name Geoffrey Speer. However, following footnote 56 I studied Mr. Southworth's book Guernica! Guernica!, in which obviously the same author's name is spelled - correctly - George L. Steer. He is the author of The tree of Gernika. It is strange that Southworth book seems to be recommended by Payne, whereas Southworth is highly critical of Payne himself, who is accused of credulity of neo-franquist sources. I would have liked (and expected) that Payne had defended himself. In the same vein there is on p. 647 an odd recommendation of the book of the German Walther L. Bernecker, Spanien seit dem Burgerkrieg, that is very biased, or at least very hostile, against Franco, whereas Payne is making a case for reappraisal of Franco as a leader who deserves some credit. It seems that Mr. Payne mentions or recommends books that he did not give much attention. I must admit these are or not very important issues, but it makes me a bit anxious about the other footnotes.
Rating: 
Summary: As Objective an Account of the Subject As You Will Find
Review: There are lots of books on Franco and the Spanish Civil War that claim to be "objective"; however, this is the first one that I have read that is deserving of such a label.
Payne is certainly no fan of Franco, but he succeeds in providing a balanced account of the subject. When it comes to facts or statistics that historians disagree upon, Payne gives the multiple views/claims so the reader can better decide for himself. While no author can be truly "objective", with this book, Stanley Payne comes closer than any other that I have read.
While being one of the books strengths, Payne's relative objectivity is also the books only potential drawback: Objective accounts of history are often less stimulating than more opinionated ones. Having said that, I found the book to be a "good read" with a wealth of information and statistics on the period of Franco's rule.
"The Franco Regime" would make the perfect textbook for a college course on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: As Objective an Account of the Subject As You Will Find
Review: There are lots of books on Franco and the Spanish Civil War that claim to be "objective"; however, this is the first one that I have read that is deserving of such a label. Payne is certainly no fan of Franco, but he succeeds in providing a balanced account of the subject. When it comes to facts or statistics that historians disagree upon, Payne gives the multiple views/claims so the reader can better decide for himself. While no author can be truly "objective", with this book, Stanley Payne comes closer than any other.
While being one of the books strengths, Payne's relative objectivity is also the books only potential drawback: Objective accounts of history are often less stimulating than more opinionated ones. Having said that, I found the book to be a "good read" with a wealth of information and statistics on the period of Franco's rule.
"The Franco Regime" would make the perfect textbook for a college course on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest works I have ever read
Review: This is without a doubt one of the finest books I have ever read. I read it cover to cover and not only did I find it a fascinating read, but it was also a work which breaks down many preconceived notions about the structure and dynamics of the Franco regime. This, read with Hitler Stopped by Franco, will certainly change some ideas about the character and motivation of Franco. This book cites well from primary sources, and is certainly one of the best researched works I have seen on the subject. Any person who questions the motives or history of the Franco regime should read this book. (Especially if they have read the terrible articles in the New York Times lately).
Rating:
Summary: Indepth analysis
Review: We tend to think of dictatorships in a very specific way. One man cannot rule alone and this book describes the political manuvering and the ideological underpinnings of Franco's Spain. I was surprised that Fascist Italy was the ideological wellspring for the Iberians. I found particularly interesting the idea of Corporatism as a means of organizing society.
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