"Laura Desfor Edles' cultural analysis of the Spanish transition is absolutely pertinent and accurate because it focuses on the symbolic transformation fundamental to reaching democracy despite a split in collective memory. Dr. Edles' book never misses a theoretical reference, which makes it a brilliant contribution to transition theory. It is a well-documented work which follows the ritual process of the establishment of democracy in Spain by means of a detailed analysis of the printed media. Undoubtedly, this is an indispensable book to understanding the Spanish transition." Alfonso Perez-Agote, University of the Basque Country