Estampas de la Revolución Española

My father had this book for as long as I can remember. Probably from before I was born. Perhaps from before he went into the Army in 1942. Since he died, it's been sitting on top of a shelf in my study, gathering dust. 10 years of dust.

I picked it up recently. I know the pictures by heart. I've always known them, but I don't remember reading the text before. Maybe I've forgotten. Maybe I dismissed it as too propagandistic, which it is. And almost certainly, if I did read this 20 years ago, or 40, I would not have been moved — as I now am — by the pathos of an idealism that now seems so naive, simplistic and hopeful.

"The fabric of our Spanish Revolution is cemented with a joy and a spirit that is young. For this reason it triumphs."

"Robust worker of the new world that is being born, lasting defender of the Revolution."

Could anyone write this nowadays without feeling foolish? Could anyone then?