Juan Carlos: A People's King
Paul Preston Harper Collins, 2004 ISBN: 0002556324 Prince Juan Carlos of Spain was born in Rome in 1938. Spain was effectively a monarchy without a King, and the last sovereign, his grandfather Alfonso XIII, had had to leave the country in 1931, taking the family into exile with him. He was declared the successor of General Franco, Dictator of Spain, to become head of state after the latter's death. When Franco died in 1975, some doubted how long the restored monarchy would last under its young and inexperienced sovereign. Yet this book shows in painstakingly-researched detail that, despite the authoritarian traditions in which he was raised, and despite his cloistered education and difficult relations with his father, he succeeded in becoming a democratic and popular King. Above all, his courageous action in putting down the military coup of 1981 won him much respect from many who had previously regarded him with some scepticism. | ||
Plot & Themes Royalty bio Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1950+ Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - Italian Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () Europe Yes European country: - Italy - Spain Misc setting - Fancy Mansion Century: - 1980's-Present Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |