George Orwell

George Orwell is the author of the book, which consists almost entirely of his journalistic observations of and personal participation in the Spanish Civil War from December of 1936 through June of 1937. Orwell originally traveled to Spain as a journalist, but was caught up in the revolutionary spirit of Barcelona and joined a local militia unit to fight against the Fascist forces being led, by that time, by General Francisco Franco. Orwell is assigned to a POUM militia unit and serves for several weeks at the front. He is then transferred to the 29th Division, another POUM unit, where he serves for several months with other English soldiers. Orwell is promoted first to Corporal, and then to 2nd Lieutenant, and participates in a few combat firefights. He is granted some leave and travels to Barcelona, where he meets his wife, who has traveled from England. Curiously, she's never...