Christopher Othen studied Linguistics and Literature at university, and Law at postgraduate level. Othen has worked as a journalist, legal representative for asylum seekers and English language teacher.
'This is a highly readable, engaging work that plugs a major gap in
the literature on the Spanish Civil War, approaching the topic from
an original angle - - that of the foreign volunteers who fought on
the side of Franco and the Nationalists. It systematically covers
all the volunteers from each foreign country and, in the process,
elaborates on the wider historical context, both in the countries
in question and in Spain itself. It thereby sets the Nationalist
cause in Spain in a wider context of conservative, Catholic and
fascist currents in Europe and the world, explaining the importance
of the conflict in the thinking and perception of members of such
currents.' -- Dr Marko Hoare, Kingston University
'An entertaining read which draws on many hitherto unexplored
books, newspaper articles and personal sources, Franco's
International Brigades offers an intriguing insight into a ragbag
of extreme right-wingers, adventurers and misfits.' -- Michael
Alpert, author of A New International History of the Spanish Civil
War
'Informed, highly readable and packed with fascinating details,
Franco's International Brigades is a key book for understanding the
international dimensions of the Spanish Civil War - it wasn't all
about romantic young men fighting for the Republic. Recommended
both for newcomers to the subject and for those wishing to extend
their knowledge of this most fascinating of periods in recent
history.' -- Jason Webster, author of Guerra!: Living in the
Shadows of the Spanish Civil War
'A fascinating account of a little-known subject. Othen shrewdly
puts together biographies, memoirs and studies about Franco's
foreign fighters: from Moorish, Nazi and Fascist troops to the
extremely diverse group of foreign volunteers anxious to battle
communism.' -- Joan Maria Thomas, Professor of History at the
University Rovira-Virgili and member of the Real Academia de la
Historia
'[The story of] adventurers, Fascists, and Christian Crusaders in
the Spanish Civil War. White Russians, British conservatives,
Romanian fascists and countless individuals looking for the thrills
of combat were among them. Christopher Othen uncovers their history
in a highly readable, often entertaining manner.' -- Budapest
Times
'Othen is a clear and thoughtful guide to this odd aspect of the
war and commendably avoids editorialising.' -- Tablet
'... A worthwhile and fascinating account of what went on behind
Franco's lines and an insight to how the man thought with his
ability not be influenced by foreign involvement whilst
successfully utilising their resources for his own personal
objectives.' -- Books4Spain.com
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