This book provides an authoritative account of the tribulations of the forces of progress, beginning in 1969 with the disintegration of Franco's dictatorship and ending with the remarkable Socialist election victory in 1982.

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