The sixth of nine volumes in the major "Penguin History of Britain" series, "A Monarchy Transformed" narrates the tempestuous political events of the Stuart dynasty. It charts the reigns of six monarchs, and the course of two revolutions as well as religious upheavals that shook the beliefs of seventeenth-century Britons to the core.
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Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews
A beautifully written but narrowly focused narrative of high politics in 17th-century Britain. Kishlansky (English and European History/Harvard) recognizes that history is a story and that a good historian is a storyteller. His strongly delineated point of view contributes to the flow of the narrative, and his enthusiasm for the subject sustains the reader through thickets of detail about high politics and war. Viewing 17th-century Britain through the eyes of those at the top, Kishlansky always comes down on the side of political stability. He successfully avoids uncritical power worship with judicious criticism of both the Stuart monarchs and of Cromwell. However, as a volume in the new Penguin History of Britain (see also Peter Clarke, Hope and Glory: Britain 19001990, p. 186), A Monarchy Transformed is intended to provide a definitive introductory guide for the student and general reader. Although every historian must leave things out of the story, too many important things are neglected in this one. Kishlansky mentions in passing such important matters as Britain's overseas empire, the slave trade, art and literature, science and mathematics, but doesn't weave such materials into his narrative. John Donne is identified merely as a recipient of royal patronage, and John Milton dismissed as an ``ideologue.'' The momentous religious changes of the period are discussed mainly when they influence politics or threaten social stability. What is most disappointing, though, is the treatment of women. Queen Mary is mentioned and Queen Anne gets a chapter, but beyond that women appear at the margins of history, as irrational teenage royal brides or midwives accused of kidnapping children for satanic rituals. Women should not be marginalized in any volume that aspires to the status of a general survey. Although successful as a forceful narrative of politics at the center, this volume is a disappointing general introduction to 17th-century British history. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
If some interpretations or facts are open to question, the larger narrative seems balanced and reasonable.... Also, much must be forgiven a historian who writes of the egregious Titus Oates that he "was eventually hoist on his own canard," and of Queen Anne that her pleasures were "limited to gambling and dining, losing pounds at one set of tables and gaining them at another." -- The New York Times Book Review, Paul S. Seaver
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Thirty years of intense historical debate and disagreement have clouded the underlying story of seventeenth-century Britain; with this addition to the Penguin History of Britain series, Mark Kishlansky mediates the academic controversy in an introductory narrative of the Stuart era. From the ascension of James I to the death of Queen Anne, he chronicles the political events which elevated Britain from isolation to international predominance. In so doing, he vividly develops the characters who helped to spark this transformation. He hopes that this universally accessible narration will kindle his audience's interest in the period.
In pursuit of this goal, Kishlansky avoids examining the contradictory interpretations which he believes necessitate this work. His prefatory remarks fully acknowledge the limited nature of his discussion. Apologizing to his colleagues, he explains that any effort to conflate the conflicting opinions into one coherent narrative would prove futile. Therefore, he claims to have used his discretion in writing a flowing account.
Still, an author's discretion is seldom neutral. Correlating with Kishlansky's past contributions to British historiography, this book contains definite revisionist undertones. Focusing on the impact of individuals, he emphasizes the contingency of each event he describes. Accident and circumstance drive his story. This perspective does not accommodate the vital component of progressive interpretations: inevitability. Furthermore, Kishlansky's story is essentially a political narrative. He frequently dismisses the social and economic factors which progressives view as so influential in governmental development.
The work itself is a combination of three stylistic techniques. To orient the audience for the narrative, the prologue and first two chapters analyze the social and political institutions of seventeenth-century Britain. The narrative itself dominates each of the succeeding eleven chapters, introduced in each by a dramatic vignette. By describing one of the most exciting or extraordinary events yet to come, these vignettes entice the reader to continue. Separating them from the main narrative are brief contextual introductions, similar to those of the first two chapters. Kishlansky also uses this analytical style in his disappointingly short four-page epilogue.
Additionally, the title of this book is quite misleading. This is neither a history of the monarchy's transformation nor a history of Britain. In reality, Kishlansky recounts the transformation of the entire British governmental system. Also, while he does incorporate the roles of Scotland and Ireland into his story, he does so only from an English point of view. Added to this are only minor references to Britain's overseas colonies. Thus, a more appropriate title would be: A Government Transformed: England 1603-1714.
Kishlansky's lack of citation is also troublesome. Though his extensive bibliography is impressive, it is not inclusive. He references general works on broad topics, yet his audience learns of specific events and people. If his readers become interested in researching any of the specific topics which he describes, his bibliography will prove only slightly more helpful than a library's card catalogue. Overall, Kishlansky accomplishes what he set out to do; he creates an interesting and coherent story which provides a solid base for further study. For people with a limited knowledge of the events that transpired during the seventeenth century, this is a clear introduction. This book is by no means comprehensive, but that was never the goal of the author. Its accessibility comes from its simplicity. After reading it, students are ready for and hopefully interested in more critical research in the field.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By dj_swinger
Format:Paperback
I can certainly appreciate the critiques of some of the earlier reviewers. No, it does not cover every aspect of English life in the period, and "Monarchy Transformed" is by no means an exhaustive exploration of the (mostly) Stuart dynasty that it covers. Kishlansky is primarily a political historian, and that somewhat shows. That being said, if any friend, family member or student asks for an overview of the period this is the book that I immediately recommend. Even though it is a narrative overview it remains on my top five list of books for the period. Why? Kishlansky is one of the top five historians (both in quality and stature) working in the field, and as far as "serious" academic history goes, it does not get better than this. His prose sparkles, and as far as "serious" academic books go, this one is a barn-burner. That might say something more about academic discourse than anything else, but this book has no equal for pure reading pleasure underlined by top-notch historical research. If you are new to Stuart history, or are looking for an overview of the "long seventeenth century", look no further. This is as good as it gets for a narrative overview, of this period or any other.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are no boring centuries in the history of Great Britain, but the seventeenth century has many claims to be the most eventful of them all. At the start, England and Scotland were separate countries, with England ruled by Elizabeth I. In 1707, just before the end of the Stuart era, England and Scotland were fully united under a single government, after a century including the civil war, regicide, an attempted "government of saints", the English Revolution and many lesser events such as the Great Fire of London. Science burgeoned, American colonies were planted, the nation's finances were transformed, and the roots of the industrial revolution began to grow.
Not all of this is adequately covered by Kishlansky. He eulogizes the century in his introduction, but the book focuses primarily on politics. This necessarily introduces religion too, and Kishlansky covers Arminianism, dissenters, the struggles over Presbyterianism and Catholicism, and the final restrictive Test Acts. The political background is done concisely and well, with good portraits of the key characters and clearly laid out ideologicial conflicts -- no mean achievement given the bewildering complex and contradictory positions most of the players adopted.
Kishlansky is excellent on the monarchs, their finances and rule, and their relationships with their governments. He is equally readable on the political state of the country, and the details of the conflicts in Parliament. His coverage of foreign policy is less complete, and he only provides any details when there is a clear interaction with the internal politics of Great Britain -- which, to be fair, is much of the time. He is also fairly thorough in his coverage of Ireland.
The weak points are the social and economic world, and the world of ideas. The first two chapters are titled "The Social World", and "The Political World", and though the second chapter serves as a springboard for the chronological narration of the rest of the book, the first chapter is the last we hear of social issues. The chronology ignores science and literature completely; Newton, for example, is mentioned only in the Prologue.
These first two chapters are also, unfortunately, the hardest to read. Kishlansky can write clearly and well, but perhaps because of the "survey" nature of these chapters he succumbs to complex abstract statements, though there is real information there too. As a result it took me a couple of tries to get through these first two chapters, but they are worthwhile, if a little hard going, and the rest of the book is highly readable.
Overall, this is an excellent overview. Recommended, with the caveat that any one area that you may be interested in, such as the civil war or the English revolution, gets no more than twenty pages.
Not all of this is adequately covered by Kishlansky. He eulogizes the century in his introduction, but the book focuses primarily on politics. This necessarily introduces religion too, and Kishlansky covers Arminianism, dissenters, the struggles over Presbyterianism and Catholicism, and the final restrictive Test Acts. The political background is done concisely and well, with good portraits of the key characters and clearly laid out ideologicial conflicts -- no mean achievement given the bewildering complex and contradictory positions most of the players adopted.
Kishlansky is excellent on the monarchs, their finances and rule, and their relationships with their governments. He is equally readable on the political state of the country, and the details of the conflicts in Parliament. His coverage of foreign policy is less complete, and he only provides any details when there is a clear interaction with the internal politics of Great Britain -- which, to be fair, is much of the time. He is also fairly thorough in his coverage of Ireland.
The weak points are the social and economic world, and the world of ideas. The first two chapters are titled "The Social World", and "The Political World", and though the second chapter serves as a springboard for the chronological narration of the rest of the book, the first chapter is the last we hear of social issues. The chronology ignores science and literature completely; Newton, for example, is mentioned only in the Prologue.
These first two chapters are also, unfortunately, the hardest to read. Kishlansky can write clearly and well, but perhaps because of the "survey" nature of these chapters he succumbs to complex abstract statements, though there is real information there too. As a result it took me a couple of tries to get through these first two chapters, but they are worthwhile, if a little hard going, and the rest of the book is highly readable.
Overall, this is an excellent overview. Recommended, with the caveat that any one area that you may be interested in, such as the civil war or the English revolution, gets no more than twenty pages.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Best Treatment for Someone New to the Subject
I read this book several months ago, and don't remember many of the details of the individual narratives, but these are some general impressions on finishing the book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A Certain Bibliophile
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully balanced narrative
This is an enjoyable book to read. Kishlansky's depth of knowledge is evidenced in the comprehensive annotated reading list he provides, a practice I wish more historians would... Read more
Published on December 8, 2009 by conjunction
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
An interesting and brief history of this most violent and rapid-changing period in English history.
Published on November 30, 2006 by Russell D. Melling
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not complete, but informative
Kishlansky's thesis is not meant to be an all-encompassing presentation, but more of an attempt to chronicle the major events in the Stuart reign while paying only cursory... Read more
Published on February 25, 2006 by Holff
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stuart Limited
This book is primarily a political and religious history of the period; British society during this period is relegated to a single chapter, while cultural history and the great... Read more
Published on August 8, 2005 by Mark Klobas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good Overview
This is a solid overview of Stuart/17th century Britain. The major focus of the book is the complex political history of this period. This book has several virtues. Read more
Published on June 26, 2005 by R. Albin
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book but the author is no Antonia Fraser.
If, like me, you are interested in British history but not a hard core scholar, this one may be a bit on the dull side. Read more
Published on June 29, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
The evolution of the constitutional monarchy in Britain
Mr. Kishlansky provides a concise narrative of the events that characterized seventeenth century English history and that resulted in the modern British parliament and... Read more
Published on November 6, 1998
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
- The Stuart Age: A History of England 1603-1714 by BARRY COWARD on 4 pages
- History of Ireland by Richard English in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Great Britain (Discovering Cultures) by Sharon Gordon in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Seventeenth Century (Galaxy Books) by Sir George Norman Clark in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Locke: Two Treatises of Government (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) by John Locke on page 250, and page 279
See all 100 books this book cites
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