A staff recommended title "Homage to Catalonia" was read over the holiday period and was well worth the time. A short read, 200+ pages, the book is a memoir of author Orwell's time fighting for the government against fascism(the Franco-Nazi-Fascist coalition). Orwell came with a number of other Brits as international volunteers to support the legitimate elected government. Unfortunately, the badly fractionalized government army and militias were unable to overcome their differences, and eventually succumbed to Franco's forces. Orwell's first person accounts add moving details of the hardships of the infantry, poorly equiped, untrained for the most part, and lead by enthusiastic but feeble leaders. He was seriously wounded by a sniper's bullet in the throat and by some miracle, survived to fight again. The political landscape was identified in its particulars and his insights provide clarity to a murky organization. He ably points to the communists' influence and the support of Russia in both arms and money.
His effort correctly dispels many of the myths surrounding the conflict and highlights the internecine battles that occurred in Barcelona.
Mayor awards the book 3 1/2 stars.
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