Paloma Aguilar is Professor of Political Science at the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (Madrid, Spain) and Doctor Member of the Juan March Institute (Madrid, Spain).

“…this excellent history of the Spanish desire for reconciliation is a major contribution to the study of both the Transition and memory.” • Journal of Modern History“This book… is one of the most important research studies written recently about the Spanish transition to democracy… [It] will be of treat use for historians, researchers of cultural studies (Aguilar used cinema and art sources), political scientists and policy makers engaged in the transition process from non-democratic regimes.” • Democratization“This methodologically exemplary study makes an essential contribution to research on historical memory in Spain, the most important issue within the country's contemporary history.” • Stanley Payne, University of Wisconsin-Madison“Paloma Aguilar has made an important, meticulous and impartial contribution to a crucial aspect of our contemporary memory.” • Víctor Pérez-Díaz, Complutense University of Madrid“Paloma Aguilar's detailed and composed study of the historical memory of the Spanish Civil War is a work of considerable importance. In addition to its scientific interest, it offers an exciting read.” • Paul Preston, London School of Economics“…a very convincing analysis.” • Historische Zeitschrift“The translation into English of a book written by a contemporary Spanish historian is an unusual publishing event. [This] work…is richly deserving of this tribute…this excellent history of the Spanish desire for reconciliation is a major contribution to the study of both the Transition and memory.” • Modern History

• AcronymsGlossaryAcknowledgementsAcknowledgements for the English EditionForeword for the English EditionPrefaceChapter 1. Regarding Memory, Learning and AmnesiaThe Generational QuestionTheoretical and Conceptual FrameworkPresentismTaxidermismAmnesiaLearningCeremonies and MonumentsMethodology and SourcesChapter 2. From the Justification of War to the exaltation of Peace: The Development of Official Discourse during the Franco PeriodAlternating LegitimacyOrigin-based Legitimacy and Performance-based LegitimacyChampions of Francoist LegitimacyFrom War to PeaceSources of Political SocialisationNo-Do Historical NarrativeCommemorations of the Civil WarMonuments of the VictorsLegendary Sites of the DefeatedPolicies of Reconciliation and Policies of VengeanceFrom Punishment to ForgivenessFrom Munich to the Organic Law of StateSymbols and Myths Relating to the Civil WarTowards the Convergence of InterpretationsMythical Constructions of FrancoismRegarding the Civil WarRegarding Reconciliation and the DefeatedChapter 3. The Memory of War and the Lessons of Peace in the Democratic TransitionEconomic and Social Characteristics of the TransitionHistory as Magistra VitaeInstitutional StructureReconciliation ConsensusConclusionBibliographyTablesGraphsAppendicesIndex