I looked it up on Amazon. I did not know that Orwell was one of the foreign fighters on the Loyalist side. I believe I shall order it (as soon as I get a job). When someone tells me that a particular book "should be required reading," I tend to take it seriously. It means that book made a big impression. I have said it myself a time or three.
The blurb on Amazon mentions political reasons for the defeat of the Spanish Republicans rather than military ones. Is this a reference to interal Spanish forces or the European situation in general? I am tempted to use the dangerous Vietnam analagy with respect to the Spanish Civil War, the way each side had major help from powerful outside nations.
Infighting among the different factions is my recollection.
Orwell covers this very nicely from his first person point of view. His book also has the best write up of getting shot in the neck that you’ll ever read.
I agree that it should be required reading.