“Long, ambitious study of political turmoil in Catalonia, from the aftermath of the Cuban colonial defeat of 1898 (a turning point in Spanish history) to an anarchist uprising in Barcelona in 1909. It traces the evolution of a left-wing militant who is lured by marriage into the newly-emerging bourgeoisie, and then observes the crushing of the revolt he helped to ferment. This fresco of change is distinguished by a rich period sense and stunning images.”