The big showdown in the Spanish capital got underway in early November 1936 and lasted until just after the new year. While the Nationalists would hurl their forces in the fray time and time again, the resolution of the defenders in forcing them back would shock the world. And maybe even themselves a little bit.  Bibliography for this episode:  Jackson, Gabriel The Spanish Republic and the Civil War, 1931-39 Princeton University Press 1965Preston, Paul The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge Harper Perennial 2006Thomas, Hugh The Spanish Civil War Modern Library 2001Beevor, Antony The Battle for Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 Penguin Books 2006 Preston, Paul A People Betrayed: A History of Corruption, Political Incompetence, and Social Division in Modern Spain 1874-2018 William Collins 2020 Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]