The above title and sub-titles group together a large number of important papers by this famous historian, some hitherto unpublished, which do not form part of fuller systematic works.
J. Vicens Vives occupies an outstanding place in modern Hispanic historiography. His extraordinary work is to be seen in his writings—-remember Noticia de Catalunya and Aproximación a la historia de España among others—in the publication of the Índice histórico español, in his university chair, from which he has guided excellent disciples, and in the publishing house which he founded and which now brings out these works of his.
Vicens Vives defends a critical and objective attitude in the face of historical facts against the idealistic subjectivism which other historians have cultivated in Spain. He aims at surmounting not only the external history of political facts, but also that of institutions and culture, in an integral interpretation with special attention to geographical, social, and economic factors.
The papers brought together in these two volumes are written in Catalán or Spanish. Those which have been written originally in other languages have been translated into Catalán in the first volume and into Spanish in the second volume. The first volume contains Estudis written from 1931 until the author’s death in 1962, in a very revisionist tone. The majority refer to Ferdinand II (the Catholic) — vindicated by the author—and John II of Aragón. Then come the so-called “Primers Assaigs” (First Essays) of a polemic nature, prior to 1936. The essays grouped under the titles of “L’espill dels dies” (The Mirror of the Days) and “Cultura i erudieió” (Culture and Erudition) were published respectively in the magazines Serra d’or and Destino. Some “Prólegs” (Prefaces) and an “Apendix” follow with writings by other persons about Vicens Vives.
The second volume contains “Estudios” on Spain especially, with emphasis on historiographical revisions and on social and economic history. Many of the so-called “Ensayos” which follow had appeared in the magazine Destino and deal also with South American subjects. The third section “Historia de Europa y del mundo” expresses the universality of the author’s interests. A novel group is formed by four unpublished projects on the university and on historical research. Finally there are some “Prólogos” and an “Apéndice” with two interviews.
A praiseful introduction by Ramón d’Abadal begins the work, and both volumes close with an editorial note which explains their composition.
