I would rate this 2.5 out of 5.

I want to thank Netgalley and Pen & Sword Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I need to start by saying that my rating for this book is the result of some serious calculations on my part (see below) that I hope this review will enlighten.

· Research included in the book: 5 out of 5
· Organization and writing of book: 2.5 out of 5
· Enjoyment of this work: 0.5 out of 5

It is entirely clear to me that Venning did an extensive amount of research to compile all of the information included in this book. In terms of learning about the key players and events that were factors in and contributed to the Civil Wars this book is an excellent resource. I did appreciate how Venning was able to expand the focus of things to include all three kingdoms and the events that culminated in the storm that led to aggression between Charles and Parliament. If you are looking for a book that provides a great level of detail about events and key players this is a great resource.

That being said the entire book read more like a doctoral thesis rather than a book for the general public with little to no background knowledge on the subject. Some subheadings were meant to help guide the reader through the information, but there were too many headings and there was a great deal of repetition in information between subheadings. As a result, this book often felt overwhelming to read because it was just a wall of facts with little interpretation or direction around the thesis of the book. I believe that Venning was arguing that throughout the book Charles I was one cog in the wheel of events that resulted in war, but that he was not necessarily wielding power any differently than his predecessors. However, this argument got lost quite a lot for me throughout the book as Venning was detailing events.

I also found it difficult to follow the information sometimes because Venning would draw comparisons to other deposed rulers and events of the 20th century or would get sidelined by adding side notes of how key players were related to each other. In many ways, there was too much information at points where it became hard to follow the sequence of events.

I did appreciate that Venning took a look at the implications of the transitions between Elizabeth I, James VI and I, to Charles I and how those events contributed to the tensions that arose between Charles and his parliaments. Particularly fascinating was the discussion of how much religious conflict played a role in the undermining of Charles I’s rule. The fact that three distinct kingdoms had such different ideas about religion and how various events compounded Charles I’s own lack of clear leadership was something that contributed to my continuing to read this book even though I was not experiencing a great level of enjoyment.

If you are interested in learning more about the British Civil Wars, I think that this provides the reader with a great deal of information. However, this text is not easily accessible if you are new to the topic.



Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Murder, War, and Death of Parent
Moderate: Death and Classism
Minor: Slavery and Colonisation

The English Civil Wars were a devastating series of conflicts fought in the middle of the 17th century. They centred around a titanic struggle for power between King Charles I and Parliament,with battle lines drawn over deep-seated and complex divisions in politics, religion, and economic policy. Everyone from all walks of life was drawn into the conflict, and many suffered great losses.At the heart of the upheaval was a radical challenge to the absolute power of the monarch – one which resulted in the only ever execution of a British monarch and the sole period of Republican rule in British history.The wars forever altered the relationship between monarch and parliament, stirring questions of power and democracy that led to the long, slow rise of Parliament as the main instrument of power in the land.When Charles I ascended the throne in 1625, the British Isles were riven with several religious, political and social divisions that had been growing since the late Tudor period.Within 4 years of Charles’s coronation, these had manifested into deep disagreements between king and Parliament.But war was not inevitable. A political settlement proved elusive partly because of deeply held, opposing views on all sides, and the situation was compounded by a few key personalities,including Charles I as well as some MPs, who simply refused to compromise or sacrifice any of their own principles.Charles believed in the ‘Divine Right of Kings’–that monarchs were appointed by God, and that he could govern his kingdoms personally, taking advice from a Privy Council that he appointed. Charles expected MPs to do as he commanded. However, Parliament had already developed a role in government, with powers to raise taxes, to make law, and to allocate money for the king’s use. Charles’s arbitrary use of power was, therefore, a source of anger and frustration for MPs and others who had ideas for a more inclusive government.1629-1640 was a period of mounting discontent in England and war in Scotland.The first Civil War was from 1642-1646,and the Second Civil War was in 1648.Parliament was victorious and condemned the King to death.Charles I was beheaded on 30 Jan 1649.

This was quite an easy history book to read because it was direct yet very detailed in how it tells the story. I was not familiar with the history of King Charles but this book really helped me understand it.

Filled with engaging details, this book reveals how tensions between Charles I, Parliament, and church reformers sparked a pivotal crisis. Making a complex era comprehensible, it looks at the volatile mix of factors that led to a momentous turning point in British history.

This thorough account compares Charles I to his predecessors Elizabeth I and James Vi &I, for an interesting perspective on how the savvy rulers who preceded him handled similar situations, and how Charles' inexperience led to blunders that ultimately cost him his life.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.