William Chislett (Oxford, 1951) is Distinguished Senior Fellow at Madrid’s Elcano Royal Institute. He covered Spain’s transition for The Times of London between 1975 and 1978. He returned to Madrid on a permanent basis in 1986, after six years based in Mexico for the Financial Times, and since then, among other things, has written more than 20 books. He has  spoken at the universities of Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, Georgetown and the London School of Economics. He was granted Spanish nationality in 2021 by Royal Decree.

In this second edition of Spain: What Everyone Needs to Know®, published 7th August 2025, he updates his comprehensive overview of Spain’s history, economy, and politics to contextualise the country’s situation in the 2020s. He covers a range of topics, including the legacy of the early Muslim presence, the influx of immigrants and the separatist Catalan region, the transition to democracy after the death of General Franco, the creation of the welfare state, the impact of EEC/EC/EU membership, the 2008-2014 banking and real estate crisis, and the changing political landscape in the last decade. New material analyses the watershed 2015 general election and the rise of the far right, and presents the key challenges that will shape Spain’s future in the years to come. Engaging and comprehensive, this book is an authoritative starting point for readers interested in the history and influence of the storied Spanish nation.

This event will take an interview format, with Chislett discussing his experience of Spain, the book and its evolution, and reading extracts from it. Whilst the event is free, places are limited and Secret Kingdoms ask that you buy a 3€ voucher, redeemable at the event, to reserve your place.  Drinks and snacks will be served. 

Reserve your place