"Before becoming one of the longest-ruling dictators of the twentieth century, Francisco Franco commanded troops in the kinds of wars that have since become all too familiar. He not only waged vicious counterinsurgency campaigns against Muslim warlords and defiant tribes in Morocco, but he also led a multinational force to victory in Europe's "dress rehearsal" for World War II - the Spanish Civil War." "Born into a military family in 1892, Francisco Franco first made a name for himself leading attacks against Moroccan warlords and resistance fighters and by 1926 was promoted to brigadier general. His role in the ruthless suppression of the 1934 revolution by coal miners in Asturias sealed his reputation for brutality, through Franco saw it as simply carrying out an order in the most efficient manner possible. In 1936 Franco joined a military revolt against the Popular Front government as the head of Spain's formidable Army of Africa. He quickly secured the support of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, touching off more than two years of bloody civil war. Within months of the war's outbreak he became generalissimo and head of state of the rebel camp. In 1939 Britain and France recognized him as the legitimate ruler of Spain." "Franco outlasted fellow dictators Hitler and Stalin by decades, dying in 1975 at the helm of the same regime he had established before the Second World War. In this introduction to his life on and off the battlefield, Geoffrey Jensen makes clear how Franco's military experiences helped shape the character of his dictatorship and its repressive policies."--Jacket.

From Navy brat to Army cadet --Blood and glory in North Africa -- The rising star -- From reluctant rebel to generalísimo -- No mercy : fighting the Spanish Civil War -- Dictatorship to death : 1939-75.