This book is essential reading for whoever wants to understand Spain today and its protagonists, both individual and collective. In the best British tradition, recent politics here becomes history.' - "TLS"

Paul Preston is Professor of International History at the London School of Economics. His many books on Spain include Franco: A Biography (1993), The Politics of Revenge: Fascism and the Military in Twentieth-Century Spain (1990) and The Triumph of Democracy in Spain (1986).

Preface, Map of the regions and provinces of Spain 1 The internal contradictions of Francoism 1939-69 2 Holding back the tide: the Carrero Blanco years 1969-73 3 A necessary evil: the Arias Navarro experience 1974-6 4 Reconciling the irreconcilable: the political reform of Adolfo Suárez 1976-7 5 Building a new world with the bricks of the old: the democratic pact 1977-9 6 Chronicle of a death foretold: the fall of Suárez 1979-81 7 Out of the ashes: the consolidation of democracy 1981-2