One more year May 2 commemorating the uprising of the people of Madrid in 1808 against the French army of occupation. This is a selection of 5 books to remember those days. From different perspectives we have the classic Pérez-Galdós narration in its National Episodes, as well as the chronicle, now almost classic too, of Arturo Perez-Reverte. Also an approach to younger readers about some of their heroes. Let's see.
March 19 and May 2 - Benito Pérez Galdós
The classic of Galdós in his National Episodes. Noteworthy because, unlike his two previous books on some of the most outstanding historical events in the history of Spain, here it is surprising that they are collected two such important events of the Aranjuez mutiny (March 19, 1808) and the Madrid uprising against invading French troops (May 2, 1808).
The narrator is Gabriel de Araceli, who will follow those events amid more adventures on both sites. Will sometimes like witness and also how competitor on the front line, always in search of his place in history and the turbulent society that surrounds him. And also always ready to accompany to his girlfriend Inés anywhere.
The uprising of May 2, 1808 - Pablo Jesus Aguilera Concepción
This is one narration of the events of that heroic day as tragic, as well as those that occurred since the entry into Madrid of the French at the end of March 1808. And apparently it is a history that we believe or pretend to know.
So the author raises some questions as if the Dos de Mayo was a spontaneous event or was already organized. Or how many soldiers joined the people in their fight against the French. The answers try to be given by testimonies of participants and witnesses of that day.
May XNUMXnd. The Cry of a Nation - Arsenio García Fuentes
This title is another compendium of hundreds of small personal stories rescued from the oblivion of hundreds of other books and files. A history book in the form of a novel, with touches of journalistic reporting and characters, of flesh and blood. Among them Luis Daoiz and his youth in defense of Cadiz against the British fleet, or Napoleon's intention Bonaparte to invade the Peninsula. To all this are added sketches of the artistic and literary circles of the city, the press, the life and customs of its inhabitants and their struggle on the streets.
Daoíz and Velarde, Heroes of May 2 - Esteban Rodríguez Serrano
Small format book has a text part and an activity part. That text is adapted to children from 9 years and tells, in the form of a children's novel, the story of these two heroes of the War of Independence.
A day of anger - Arturo Perez-Reverte
This title is already a contemporary classic about those facts. A story that is not fiction nor does it pretend to be a history book, even if it includes, for example, data such as reports of the dead and wounded or military reports.
Pérez-Reverte obtained his umpteenth success with this heartbreaking and lucid storytelling in turn, with the usual style that characterizes the author. He fled from the humorous tone that he had given, for example, to another of his books on the time: Trafalgar.
Nor did he create notable protagonistsRather, it included the countless men and women who were involved in those events. And all of them are authentic from heroes to cowards through victims and executioners. All contribute data and personalities that are confused between reality and fiction licenses the author is allowed to give it the concept of a novel.
Around, mate. What do you see? ... People of the town. Poor devils like you and me. Not a detained officer, not a wealthy merchant, not a marquis. I have not seen any of those fighting in the streets. And who sent us in Monteleón?… Two simple captains.