Historical Fiction


Mostly about Spain


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Links to my research, and other things of interest



It's amazing how much information was available on the web in the early 2000s, but also pretty amazing how little was there. I used paper maps of Madrid to write DEATH OF A NATIONALIST. (No google maps!) A lot of the websites I originally linked to now have institutional twitter accounts or other social media. Many have expanded enormously. Still, these are some links to the sites that I found useful. And they have also led to some lasting friendships. So, with grateful thanks to all the strangers who volunteered their knowledge, and all the strangers who have become friends, my research links:



Sites I used to research DEATH OF A NATIONALIST



La guerra de nuestros abuelos


A wonderful set of oral histories from the 1920s-1940s, collected by a group of high school students in Madrid in 1995, under the supervision of their history teacher Aurelio Mena Hornero, who put the website together. Amazing for details about food, clothing, prices, etc.



Metro Madrid


The Madrid Metro's website has expanded almost as much as their lines of track since I wrote the novels. The revamped (English language) site contains information about the "Platform Zero" metro museum (which did not exist when I wrote the novels), as well as a celebration of the Madrid Metro's centennial in 2019.



Guardia Civil


Most of the Guardia Civil's website is devoted to their practical functions as a modern police force, but they do have a section on their history, including photos and videos. The history section is organized chronologically, starting with the circumstances that led to their foundation in 1844.



They Still Draw Pictures


An exhibition of drawings made by children in besieged Madrid (and other Spanish cities) in 1938...the real Alejandras. With commentary, in English.



Sites I used to research LAW OF RETURN



Salamanca.com


A commercial website devoted to all things Salmantino. Contains some information on history, legends, and local personalities.



Donostia


The Euskera (Basque) name of San Sebastian. This is the town's official website.



San Sebastian Tourist Office


360 degree photos and videos of San Sebastian. They used to also have a collection of old photos of the city.



Sites I used to research THE WATCHER IN THE PINE



Paisajes de la guerrilla


A wonderful website, with extensive oral histories, and also background information and photos and maps, sadly no longer maintained.



La Liebana y Picos de Europa


A site devoted to the comarca of Liebana, with photographs of modern day Potes, and links to all the towns in the region. It also has sections on history, culture, food, and monuments, as well as maps of the region.



Sadly, the website for Juanin y los del monte no longer exists. It's foro or discussion board was incredibly valuable to me and I have great gratitude to those who participated there and helped me with research. The "Frente Norte" which still cites it as a resource, may be more up to date, so I have linked to that.


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RebeccaPawel.com