La Generación del 14: España ante su modernidad inacabada

by Hugo Aznar (Editor), Elvira Alonso Romero (Editor), Manuel Menéndez Alzamora (Editor)

This volume brings together a collection of essays on the Generation of 1914, which recently celebrated its centenary year. The role played by this generation in the transformation of modern-day Spain is hard to overstate. Unlike their counterparts in the generations of 1898 and 1927, better known for their artistic and literary output, it fell to this generation to set in motion a program for the intellectual, scientific, political and educational renewal of the country. The education of the masses, scientific endeavor and progress, economic modernization, improving the lot of the underprivileged, liberalism and socialism, freedom of expression, the incorporation of women within public life, the dissemination of culture, books, leading schools of thought and the latest authors from beyond the country’s borders … a true attempt to usher in far-reaching changes to Spain so that the country might reclaim its place in the contemporary world. However, the solemn weight of Spain’s history, coupled with ideological and geopolitical tensions at the onset of the 20th century, meant this generation was unable to reap the rewards of its efforts, but was rather condemned to live the drama of the civil war, exile and dictatorship. They would have to wait for history to give them their due.

274 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016