The formation of a Hispanist -- A reading of the history of Spain. Visigoths and Asturians: "Spaniards"? ; Spain and Islam: the myth of Al-Andalus ; Reconquest and crusade: a "Spanish ideology"? ; Spain and the west ; Identity, monarchy, empire ; Spain and Portugal ; Decline and recovery ; The problem of Spanish liberalism -- Dilemmas of contemporary history. A republic-- without democrats? ; Who was responsible? Origins of the Civil War of 1936 ; Moscow and Madrid: a controversial relationship ; The Spanish Civil War: last episode of World War I or opening round of World War II? ; Spanish fascism-- a strange case? ; Francisco Franco: fascist monster or savior of the fatherland? In the shadow of the military ; Controversies over history in contemporary Spain.