by Bronshtein » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:29 pm
For a more modern version you could try Blair Worden's 'The English Civil Wars'.
Not a bad historian, but the description in some reviews as 'sprightly' should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Definitely narrative history (One bloody thing after another) rather than a radically different analysis which many recent volumes go for in an attempt to squeeze life out of the old story. No real economic, social or European insights, nor a shuddering revelation about the Celtic fringe versus the centre or any of the fashionable stuff that bedevils ECW (don't let him hear you call it the Great Rebellion or the Revolt of the Provinces or Celtic upheaval).
So what is it, if not all that? A fairly solid, not too boring account of who was against whom and on a straightforward basis, why, and who they killed when and where. Pretty good on Cromwell (if you like Cromwell) Really bad on Cromwell (if you dislike Cromwell).
Published 2009, so not still in print but new copies are kicking about. Not sure whether Waterstones would have one in but they could probably order one for you. Failing that send a chap with a cleft stick over to one of Mr Babbage's engines and The Great River has copies. Or their better class fringe - ABE has very good copies for about a fiver including postage.
For a more modern version you could try Blair Worden's 'The English Civil Wars'.
Not a bad historian, but the description in some reviews as 'sprightly' should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Definitely narrative history (One bloody thing after another) rather than a radically different analysis which many recent volumes go for in an attempt to squeeze life out of the old story. No real economic, social or European insights, nor a shuddering revelation about the Celtic fringe versus the centre or any of the fashionable stuff that bedevils ECW (don't let him hear you call it the Great Rebellion or the Revolt of the Provinces or Celtic upheaval).
So what is it, if not all that? A fairly solid, not too boring account of who was against whom and on a straightforward basis, why, and who they killed when and where. Pretty good on Cromwell (if you like Cromwell) Really bad on Cromwell (if you dislike Cromwell).
Published 2009, so not still in print but new copies are kicking about. Not sure whether Waterstones would have one in but they could probably order one for you. Failing that send a chap with a cleft stick over to one of Mr Babbage's engines and The Great River has copies. Or their better class fringe - ABE has very good copies for about a fiver including postage.