
A Modern History of Andorra
Autonomy in the Pyrenean Borderlands
Martyn Lyons(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 14. February 2025
Book
Hardback
100 pages
978-1-032-99227-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book examines the fascinating survival of Andorra, one of Europe's micro-states nestled between France and Spain. Despite its medieval institutional framework, Andorra endured into the late 20th century without an army, police, currency, or customs barriers. The book uncovers how Andorra skilfully exploited its strategic position between two powerful neighbours, using its unique dual sovereignty to navigate the pressures of the modern nation-state era and secure its survival.
Exploring a range of historical events, the book delves into the misconceptions found in European travel writing about Andorra, the eccentric 1934 episode when Boris Skossyreff crowned himself King, and the country's pivotal role as an escape route during World War II. It also highlights Andorra's transformation into a prosperous modern society, built on tourism and commerce. The narrative provides a detailed account of how Andorra evolved from a medieval holdover to a thriving micro-state in the contemporary world.
A valuable resource for students of modern French and Spanish history, this book will also appeal to specialists in border studies and anyone interested in the endurance of Europe's micro-states.
Exploring a range of historical events, the book delves into the misconceptions found in European travel writing about Andorra, the eccentric 1934 episode when Boris Skossyreff crowned himself King, and the country's pivotal role as an escape route during World War II. It also highlights Andorra's transformation into a prosperous modern society, built on tourism and commerce. The narrative provides a detailed account of how Andorra evolved from a medieval holdover to a thriving micro-state in the contemporary world.
A valuable resource for students of modern French and Spanish history, this book will also appeal to specialists in border studies and anyone interested in the endurance of Europe's micro-states.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Academic and Postgraduate
Illustrations
14 s/w Abbildungen, 14 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
14 Halftones, black and white; 14 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
280 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-99227-3 (9781032992273)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 07/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€30.00
Not yet published

E-Book
02/2025
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download

E-Book
02/2025
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download
Person
Martyn Lyons is Emeritus Professor of History and European Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He is the author of The Writing Culture of Ordinary People in Europe (2013) and Books: A Living History (2011), among other works on revolutionary and Napoleonic France and on the history of reading and writing practices. He previously published The Pyrenees in the Modern Era (2018).
Content
1. Andorra, or the Art of Not Being Governed 2. Utopian and Dystopian Visions 3. The Andorra Question, 1866-1913 4. King Boris and the Andorran 'Revolution' of 1933 5. War in Spain and Europe, 1936-45: Dangerous Borderlands 6. Postwar Transformations