
In this candid memoir, a seasoned Spanish observer turns his pen toward the turmoil of the Great War, offering a thoughtful exploration of conscience, patriotism, and the moral dilemmas that grip a continent at war. He recounts his own decision to side with France, weighing personal motives against a broader sense of justice, and reflects on the varied reasons Spaniards choose either the German or French camps—from admiration of discipline to hopes for liberty.
Through a series of intimate letters, he probes the attitudes of his fellow countrymen—military men, clergy, socialists, and idle onlookers—revealing how politics, culture, and personal temperament shape their loyalties. The narrative captures the restless search for clarity amid propaganda and fear, inviting listeners to consider how ordinary people grapple with the weight of history when the world around them erupts in violence.
Language
es
Duration
~3 hours (182K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Release date
2013-03-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1853–1938
Known for warm, observant novels about everyday Spanish life, this Asturian writer helped bring realism to a wide audience. His fiction often blends social detail, regional color, and a quietly humane view of people and their struggles.
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