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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2019
This book gives a clear and comprehensive account of Oliver Cromwell's life, and reveals the contradictions, doubts, and convictions of this man who found himself ruler of Britain without ever deliberately planning to do so.
It reveals his care and concern for individuals - even those who opposed him - and his tolerance compared to other 17th Century rulers. Yes, it covers the sackings of the two towns in Ireland without ducking the issue, but it also reveals that he showed mercy to the other besieged towns there. Nevertheless, Cromwell did serve Ireland badly as Irish land was given to English and Scottish soldiers in lieu of wages as Britain was broke after all the Civil Wars.
The man was an enigma - a country gentleman of modest means who found himself an MP swept up in the wrangle with the King and who then discovered that he had a talent for recruiting and training armies and utilising cavalry with far more effectiveness than any other 17th Century European commander. Finally, he had civil leadership thrust upon him.
The problem for him and all the Parliamentarians was that they never had a real plan for what to do after defeating the King, and they could not agree amongst themselves in order to formulate a plan. Does that remind anyone of British affairs since 2016??!!!
It reveals his care and concern for individuals - even those who opposed him - and his tolerance compared to other 17th Century rulers. Yes, it covers the sackings of the two towns in Ireland without ducking the issue, but it also reveals that he showed mercy to the other besieged towns there. Nevertheless, Cromwell did serve Ireland badly as Irish land was given to English and Scottish soldiers in lieu of wages as Britain was broke after all the Civil Wars.
The man was an enigma - a country gentleman of modest means who found himself an MP swept up in the wrangle with the King and who then discovered that he had a talent for recruiting and training armies and utilising cavalry with far more effectiveness than any other 17th Century European commander. Finally, he had civil leadership thrust upon him.
The problem for him and all the Parliamentarians was that they never had a real plan for what to do after defeating the King, and they could not agree amongst themselves in order to formulate a plan. Does that remind anyone of British affairs since 2016??!!!
