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The Spanish Pimpernel: The True Story of One British Man’s Mission to Save Lives in the Spanish Civil War Kindle Edition
Perfect for readers of Giles Milton, Ben MacIntyre and Antony Beevor
In 1936 the opening shots of the bloody and bitter civil war began between Republicans and Nationalists in Spain.
Captain Christopher Lance, D.S.O., a former British Army officer working in Madrid as a civil engineer found himself at the heart of the conflict and could not stand by as the death toll increased.
Using ingenuity and fearless audacity he saw past political affiliations organised escape routes to the ports of Valencia and Alicante and onward by sea to Marseilles or Morocco for countless stranded British citizens as well as Spanish Nationalists and Republicans who were being hunted by murder squads.
How did this eccentrically dressed, unarmed, World War One veteran save so many people from death? Why was he accused by both sides of spying? And how did he survive the terrors of a Republican prison after being labelled as 'Criminal No. 1'?
Based upon contemporary records, interviews with Captain Lance and numerous eyewitness accounts C. E. Lucas Phillips’ remarkable book proves that true stories can be more astounding than fiction.
“Exciting as one could wish for ... C. E. Lucas Phillips is a first-class story-teller.” Illustrated London News
“Exciting and full of adventure.” Irish Times
“Brigadier Phillips has already shown his skill in reconstructing the epics of war in such books as Cockleshell Heroes and The Escape of the Amethyst. Now he does it again…” The Times
“An outstanding book of audacious adventure.” Eastern Daily Press
“The story of Christopher Lance is adroitly told and interest is brilliantly maintained.” Irish Independent
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateDecember 12, 2021
- File size2.1 MB

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Product details
- ASIN : B09G3BTSFQ
- Publisher : Sapere Books
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : December 12, 2021
- Language : English
- File size : 2.1 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 318 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1800553569
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #965,216 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #122 in Historical U.K. Biographies
- #509 in Communism & Socialism (Kindle Store)
- #2,640 in Military & Spies Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI have some slight familiarity with the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, but this book about Mr. Lance gave me more insight than all the other histories, because it was written down on the day-to-day level of a hero caught up in the midst of it. He came to know the heart of the Spanish people of the early century and knew of the conflicting opinions, which came roaring to the surface in the civil strife. The author writes well. It would be good to have a map of Spain with the cities and roads while reading it. Ironically, there is not much on the Internet about this man and his wife, but there is one picture of them both from the island of Jersey. Highly recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024The overwhelming majority of contemporary writing on the Spanish Civil War fails to recognise the extent of the brutal and homicidal nature of the various elements of the Second Republic before and during that conflict, where tens of thousands of civilians were murdered and dumped into shallow pits. This book reminds us of how much of that was influenced by the Soviet Union. This is a comparatively brief account with a narrow focus, but it should be required reading for those seeking insights into the vicious and outrageous nature of the Communists and Anarchists that controlled much of Spain during those years.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseKeeps one's attention. Easy to follow, no in-depth brain power required. A clear view of the difference between the two political parties, communist and facist.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Australia on January 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI'm interested in the Spanish civil war and was intrigued by this book not having heard of Lance before. His exploits make for suspensful and thrilling reading. If i had a criticism it would be that the atrocities committed by the Nationalists far exceeded those by the republicans but to be fair the book is about Lance's exploits and not,as such,a history of the war.
- danReviewed in Canada on February 14, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The Spanish Pimpernel
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseCourage, ingenuity and resilience. This is a hard hitting account of a former British army officer’s actions to exfiltrate innocent—but otherwise condemned to death—Spaniards from Madrid in the time of the civil war. For those who want a deeper understanding of the injustices that occurred on the republican side.
- TomTomReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating good read
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseA generally unknown aspect of this awful conflict. Captain Lance and his associated group of decent caring people stayed in Spain to save as many people as they could from certain death.
- Mr. J. E. KeeganReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting story, a must read
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseA very interesting and informative story of little known facts. Highly recommended