I have read The Spanish Civil War by Hugh Thomas, for a long time perhaps the most complete English language single volume. I have an older edition written when Franco still rules (he apparently had it banned in Spain although he allowed Prof Thomas access to government archives). It's now in its fourth edition and has been updated with new info several times since it was first published.
Anthony Beevor's The Battle for Spain is on my to buy list, I have a number of his books and am generally pleased with the quality and extent of his research and soundness of his conclusions but have not yet read the book.
Lots of new scholarship out there as the Civil War generation passes away but as you note, much is memoirs or popular subject exclusive.
I'd probably go with the latest edition of Thomas.
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