Description
Lessons from the past for the present
Book Summary
This anthology brings together a careful selection of writings by Benito Pérez Galdós spanning from his youth to his final days. Through articles, speeches, and unpublished texts, the author offers a lucid and committed look at the political and social life of the Spain of his time. In these pages, the reader will find a direct testimony of key historical episodes, analyzed with the depth and style that characterize the great Spanish novelist, building a bridge between the past and the concerns of the present.
What is it about?
The work collects a series of texts that reflect the evolution of Galdós's thought throughout his life. From his early journalistic writings to his more mature reflections, the book offers a journey through the events that marked the history of Spain in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It addresses topics such as the Restoration, the crisis of the political system, the role of the Church, education, and the aspirations of civil society. The texts, some of them published for the first time, allow us to know the lesser-known Galdós: the political analyst, the social critic, and the citizen committed to his time.
Main themes
- Analysis of Spanish political life during the Restoration and the crisis of '98.
- Reflection on the role of education and culture in social progress.
- Critique of political bossism (caciquismo), corruption, and traditional power structures.
- Evolution of liberal and republican thought in late 19th-century Spain.
- First-hand historical testimony on key episodes of contemporary Spanish history.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the political and social history of Spain, as well as those who wish to know the less explored facet of Benito Pérez Galdós as a thinker and chronicler of his era. It is also of great value to students and specialists in literature, journalism, and political science who are looking for contextualized primary sources.
What this book provides
- Access to unpublished and scattered texts by Galdós, many of them difficult to consult until now.
- A lucid and critical perspective on historical problems that resonate today.
- A deep understanding of the sociopolitical context that inspired his most iconic novels.
- First-hand testimony on the tensions and transformations of 19th-century Spain.
Technical specifications
- Author: Perez Galdos, Benito
- Publisher: Biblioteca Nueva
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Reportage and collection of journalistic articles, Literary studies: fiction, Novelists and prose writers, Social and cultural history, Politics and government
- Collection: Essay
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: May 2021
- Number of pages: 304
- Weight: 382 g
Editorial review
This anthology constitutes a relevant contribution for those seeking to go beyond Galdós's narrative work. The selection of texts, which includes unpublished material, offers a direct and unfiltered view of his political and social thought. It is especially useful for contextualizing his novels and for understanding the tensions of an era that marked the future of contemporary Spain. A reference book for both scholars and curious readers interested in the roots of current debates.