Its author, the professor Emilio La Parra, assures that this monarch initiated "a form of governing that was soon followed by Primo de Rivera and Franco."

The book Fernando VII. Un rey deseado y detestado (Fernando VII: A King Both Beloved and Detested) written by historian Emilio La Parra, is the winner of the 30th edition of the Comillas Prize of History, Biography and Memories, which is awarded annually by the publishing house Tusquets. The jury of the prize has praised the book’s "massive knowledge about the character, as well as valuable and multiple documentation provided," said the publishing house in a written statement. Besides "ratifying by the means of historiography the murky legends that accompany the figure of this monarch," La Parra’s book "sheds new light on the complexities of a historical era that is undoubtedly tyrannical and that, in its abundant nuances, explains much of the latter history of Spain." "Despite all appearances to the contrary, Fernando VII is an insufficiently known king due to the fact that are no well-documented biographies, contrary to what happens with other kings like Alfonso XII or Isabel II," said La Parra to EL PAÍS by phone.

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