u/Theboystheboys212

For once in all Hispanic history the initial military coup is fended off by the leftists. Then they immediately dissolve into 500+ different groups who mostly hate each other but hate the fascists more.

You get tens of thousands of international volunteers joining a domestic dispute.

Unlike a lot of civil wars with a clear geographical divide ( north vs South) you have cities loyal to one and the huge feudal estates loyal to the nationalists.

You have neighbours who have lived in the same villages for hundreds of years suddenly fighting to the death.

You get the real foreboding impending doom of WW2 and the rise of fascism (which completely overshadows this war).

Truly 1 of 1. Great books too. Can't wait for La Bola Negra later this year.