This collection, selected from the pages of the magazine of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, explores different aspects of British and Irish solidarity with Spanish democracy and the fight against fascism during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), along with the legacy of that struggle up to the present day. It brings together first-hand accounts and contributions from historians, writers, poets and International Brigade enthusiasts.

The Spanish Civil War began when right-wing generals, aided by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, attempted to overthrow Spain’s democratic government and violently crush the country’s trade unions and left-wing parties. Appalled by the inaction of ruling elites, anti-fascists in Britain and Ireland took matters into their own hands, volunteering to fight in Spain, mostly with the communist-organised International Brigades, campaigning and raising funds on the home front and helping to rescue refugees.