Oliver Cromwell

This book provides an effective picture of the times and events that shaped Cromwell. It then goes on to provide the reader a narrative on his acts as a leader, both military and civil. These acts made England the naval and military power that dominated the world for two centuries. If the book lacks anything it would be a final perspective on Cromwell's impact on the world as we know it.

Comprehensive coverage of dignified English ruler- of which there had been few. Brilliant general and a sincere ruler driven by religious values. Tarnished by his blindspot towards the Irish, Papacy and Catholics who have no reason to honour his memory. A very worthy book and a good read.

A great talent wrote this book. The author is interested in his subject matter and writes with spirit and subtlety. You read not for the barrage of details but for the blaze of insight. Highly recommended.

It took awhile to adjust to old style English, it provides new perspective of history in precise terms.

Accurate to history.

good quality, fast shipment

Very well put together.

A sympathetic biography. John Buchan paid tribute to Cromwell's unique role in British History, and tried to show how his religious beliefs were integrated into his actions both as a politician and military commander. Buchan accepted the view that Cromwell played a crucial part in securing the Parliamentarian victory at Marston Moor in 1644, and such success saved their forces from disintegration. His line was that until 1648 Cromwell was hoping that an accord could be reached with Charles I, but the King's endless scheming and attempting to regain his throne with the help of foreign invasions made it apparent that a republic had to be declared.John Buchan's knowledge of Scottish History was helpful in trying to explain the complexities of Anglo-Scottish co-operation- and how it turned into conflict- on the Parliamentarian side, especially highlighting the role of Presbyterianism. He accepts the more standard view of Cromwell's Irish campaign in respect of the sieges of Drogheda and Wexford in 1649 as being punitive and harsh, even by the standards of the time. The subsequent large scale of transportation of Irish people in the following years, is not particularly well covered.Yet Cromwell, for all his moods of incapacitating melancholia and his severe tempers , is shown as playing a major role in saving Britain from autocratic monarchy, and outside of Ireland at least- being accepting of different religious views unless its adherents were plotting outright rebellion.

sirOliver Cromwell was greatest figure of English History of Seventeenth Century. Mr John Buchan made his name by writing very fine biographies including Sir Walter Scott, Montrose, Lord Minto( Viceroy in India 1905- 1910) and of Oliver Cromwell. Many biographies are available of Cromwell particularly by Mr Gardiner and Sir Charles Firth, but biography by John Buchan is very fascinating, lucid, balanced one.The biography of Sir Charles Firth is also very good^He has rightly remarked ^ Oliwer Cromwell has long passed beyond the mists of calumny. He is no longer Hyde^s brave bad man^;still less is he hypocrite, the vulgar usurper, the bandit of genius, of Hume and Hallam.He wanted the supremacy of Parliament and for this right cause he was one of the signatories of death warrant of King Charles Ist.In the reign of queen Elizabeth there had been only thirteen parliamentary sessions and no one had complained; but times changed , and the eleven years during which Charles governed without summoning the House saw a growing anxiety and discontent.There were two great powers at that time at the gate of Britain- Spain and France and her relations with Dutch which involved the question of the Mediterranean and the New World.When he became protector he forced peace in spite of London merchants. The peace gave him two of his cherished objects - the Navigation Act and made relations with France and Spain with out any settlement or treaty.This was successful foreign policy of Cromwell.A very good biography I strongly recommend it to others who are interested in Britain^s Seventeenth century history.

In a short while I found the style and language unreadable. Too obscure, intense, "artistic", "poetic". Didn't get far enough to determine the integrity but the signs were not good.

This was a very detailed review of the life and death of Oliver Cromwell. Tanning the reader on a journey through his childhood and adolescence, we find out what influenced the man that will be remembered as the man who killed a king. As the book progresses you come to realise that Cromwell truly believed that what he was doing was the right thing and the only way forward.I found this a particularly interesting read, especially the focus on the Civil War from the perspective of Cromwell.

bought as a gift so not read it myself but the recipient is delighted with it,says it is fascinating very well written and very detailed,the best account of Cromwell's life he has read