This is a biography of Juan Carlos who became king of Spain in 1975, on the death of Franco in whose shadow he grew up. A man of calm personality and sharp political perception, King Juan Carlos starved off the 1981 military coup and went on to become the architect of the modern Spanish state. The author is a long-time friend of the king and has build up, through long hours of discussion with Juan Carlos, an objective view of the man, his motives, doubts and desires.