Special Offer

British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War (Hardback)

"The Passionate Cause," 1936-39

P&S History > By Century > 20th Century P&S History > Reference P&S History > Social History World History

By Chris Hall
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 296
Illustrations: 30 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036102371
Published: 12th January 2026

£22.49 was £29.99

You save £7.50 (25%)

Add to Basket

Add to Wishlist

Publicity

Ninety years on ROB HARGREAVES is moved by the way that memories of the Spanish civil war still stir our passions - Click here

You'll be £22.49 closer to your next £10.00 credit when you purchase British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War. What's this?

+£4.99 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £40
(click here for international delivery rates)

Order within the next 8 hours, 23 minutes to get your order processed the next working day!

Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates

Other formats available	Price
British Volunteers and the Spanish… eBook (3.1 MB) Add to Basket	£18.99

Ninety years ago, a Civil War broke out in a then little-known country. For thousands of British, Irish and Commonwealth people, the Spanish Civil War was their main focus for three years.

Over 2,500 “British” (including Irish and Commonwealth) men and women fought in the International Brigades or served in the medical services of the Spanish Republic. Over 500 volunteers were to die in Spain.

Other “British” volunteers served as mercenary pilots and in the revolutionary militias (including George Orwell); some even served on the side of the rebel forces.

At home, thousands participated in ‘Spanish Aid’ activities, raising funds for food ships and medical supplies for Republican Spain. During the Civil War, 4000 Basque refugee children were supported by public donations. Picasso’s Guernica painting toured England to raise funds.

This is the story of ordinary men and women, told in their own words and reflecting the whole gamut of emotions from ecstasy to despair.

Many volunteers would go on to fight in the Second World War and some became leading figures in post-War Britain. But for many volunteers, the Spanish Civil War was the “Passionate Cause” and the outstanding episode of their lives. This is their story.

'While here let me say how much I enjoyed and valued your latest book which we bought while at the library when we met you. To say that it is well researched is an understatement. It is wonderfully detailed and gave me lots of insights into the war which I did not have previously. Carmen's father, despite his involvement, did not talk about it much. I particularly liked how you introduced individual biographies at the end of each chapter so that these were not just presented all together as a catalogue. The book is a real achievement.'
Gerald D'Arcy

"I think you’ve done an excellent job of telling the story of the volunteers in the SCW. It’s very readable and accessible, but also a fine bit of scholarship. Congratulations. It’s a very well-presented book too. I hope it sells well."
Jim Jump - Chair International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT), author of 'The Fighter Fell in Love' and 'Antifascistas' and editor of 'Poems from Spain' and 'Looking back at the Spanish Civil War'.

British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War: ‘The Passionate Cause,’ 1936-1939 – book review
Counterfire

"A great book! The perfect gift to engage newcomers as well as grognards such as ourselves! Thank you for writing it!"
Alan Warren

"In summary, a highly recommended introductory book on this subject for friends yet to engage in this fascinating yet little known conflict."
Labour Independent Publications

About Chris Hall

Chris Hall is a librarian and an expert on military history and the Spanish Civil War, who has studied at the Universities of Newcastle, Northumbria and Manchester Metropolitan. His previous published works include Orwell and his fellow British and Irish volunteers and interviews with men who fought in the International Brigades in Spain’s civil war.

More titles by Chris Hall