Cavaliers and Roundheads: The English Civil War, 1642-1649 [Hardcover]

Christopher Hibbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1993

Analyzes the events before, during, and after the English Civil War, including the ascension of Charles I, the Irish Rebellion of 1642, the rise of Oliver Cromwell, the beheading of Charles I, and the return of Charles II.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As King Charles I was led to his execution, guards blew smoke into his face. This vividly dramatic, engrossing chronicle of the English Civil War is crammed with such curious and revealing detail. English historian Hibbert keeps historical analysis to a minimum and emphasizes minor skirmishes instead of major battles in an unconventional narrative that superbly illuminates the human dimensions and costs of the war. He recreates the carnage on the battlefield, the pillaging and vandalism of towns. Conscription was stubbornly resisted; recruits who failed to report received the death penalty; astrologers helped the king formulate military strategy. Hibbert keenly profiles dozens of characters, especially Oliver Cromwell, transformed by the war from a melancholy, unambitious "clumsy farmer" into a relentlessly determined leader who saw his soldiers as God's faithful servants and promised them rewards in the hereafter. Photos. History Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-While this book probably provides more than any YA may ever want or need to know about the English Civil War, it is likely to be used often. It is well researched, well organized, and full of primary sources. It has an excellent index and complete bibliography, as well as a listing of Civil War sites and period woodcuts, paintings, book illustrations, maps, and charts. Hibbert's narrative is full of insight and detail and his style is clear. Readers learn not only the facts, dates, and players in this English drama, but also come to know the main characters' personalities and motivations. The author even supplies an account of the "Fate of characters whose end is not recorded in the text." An excellent resource, as well as compelling reading.
Susan H. Woodcock, King's Park Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 337 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (May 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684195577
• ISBN-13: 978-0684195575
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #730,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction, But A Bit Hard to Follow, September 13, 2002

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cavaliers and Roundheads: The English Civil War, 1642-1649 (Hardcover)

"Cavaliers and Roundheads" is the story of the English Civil War of 1642-49 between King Charles I and Parliament which lead to the beheading of Charles on January 30, 1649 and the installation of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector.

The book is well written and tends to present the story chronologically. The alignment of forces and shifting military advantages are explained. The ultimate arrest and trial of the King, followed by his execution, bring the war to its conclusion. The ascendency of Cromwell was brief and his reputation swiftly tarnished until his rehabilitation in the 19th century. The restoration of King Charles II lead to the veneration of Charles I as a martyr King.

The book is, largely, limited to a factual reporting of the events of the war. The explanation of the causes and results of the war are brief. There is little treatment of any underlying social causes or effects of the dispute between King and Parliament.

My rating of this work is fairly low because of the difficulty I had in following all the Dukes and Lords involved in the story. Perhaps a reader with a greater familiarity with this era of English history would find this work to be more interesting. I would rate it as a fair introduction to this period of history. It would probably better serve a reader a more prepared for an in depth study of the era.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great history, if you're interested in looting, March 6, 2009

By 

Kingdaddy (Bay Area, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cavaliers and Roundheads: The English Civil War, 1642-1649 (Hardcover)

If you want a meaty narrative history of the English Civil War, look elsewhere. Hibbert's account is full of facts, but there's not much of a story here.

And Hibbert's choice of facts is peculiar. You'll learn a lot about looting. In fact, I doubt there's a single incident of looting during the ECW that Hibbert doesn't describe.

Unfortunately, you don't get a the facts you might expect, and probably want. For example, the New Model Army is very sketchy, for as important a development as it was.

Beyond the facts, however, there's not much of a narrative here. Hibbert is no "master storyteller." Instead, he's the uncle you hate to sit next to at Thanksgiving dinner, because he'll bore you to tears with a lot of details about family history. There's probably a very interesting story to be told, but you don't tell it by just relating facts.

For example, which battle was really the turning point in the war, Marston Moor or Naseby? Hibbert doesn't seem to have any opinion on the topic, but he will relate how Parliamentary soldiers broke into Lord Ramsbottom's home and stole all the bedsheets.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of the English Civil War, September 3, 2011

By 

J. Michael (Now Born) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cavaliers and Roundheads: The English Civil War, 1642-1649 (Hardcover)

I well understand some of the reviewers' complaints about this book's cursory treatment of various subjects relating to the war, its causes and its primary characters. However, the author himself acknowledges that his book is a mere overview, meant for the reader who is unfamiliar with the war. He seems exhaustive though in at least listing all the various battles and sieges, and certainly emphasizes the constant depredations committed by both sides.