THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE: Americans Fighting Fascism in the Spanish Civil War

The author of much distinguished nonfiction, including The Long March (1983), turns his attention to a subject generally neglected in children's books: the role of American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. After describing his personal involvement with a member of the Lincoln Brigade, Lawson tells the Brigade's story with the style and pace of an adventure tale--discussing how and why these young men volunteered, their journey to Spain, their training, and the background of the war. The war itself is described battle by battle, with clear delineation of the strategies and personalities involved. Lawson concludes with the Brigade's withdrawal at the request of the League of Nations; an afterword summarizes subsequent events relating to Spain and to members of the Brigade. Lawson's rating of these men as heroes lends passion to his account, but does not prevent him from also giving a clear-sighted assessment of the Communist threat to Spain, putting American participation in the conflict in perspective. Much needed; well done. A good bibliographic essay is included; index and photos not seen.