A Coffin for King Charles [Paperback]

C. V. Wedgwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

A classic history, by ³the best narrative historian writing in the English language.² Lawrence Stone, THE NEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS

Editorial Reviews

Review

³The finest account of the trial that has ever been written.² -- J. H. Plumb, THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

From the Publisher

THE CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE has summed up the appeal of Dame Cicely Veronica Wedgwood (1910-97): ³Easily the most distinguished woman historian of our time, [she] is the dream of the history fan. A scholar of unimpeachable diligence and accuracy, she also possesses the double literary gift of lucid exposition and brilliant portrayal.² Originally published in 1964 (its English title was The Trial of Charles I), A Coffin for King Charles is her masterly account of one of the most dramatic moments in British history: the trial and execution of King Charles I in 1648.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Akadine Pr (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585790338
• ISBN-13: 978-1585790333
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,501,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A WELL TOLD TALE, October 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Coffin for King Charles (Paperback)

This well written and well researched book tells the fascinating tale of the trial and execution of King Charles I at the end of the English Civil War. I have read several books dealing with this time period and thought that this was one of the best. It was so exciting that I ended up staying up much too late reading it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intractable, January 3, 2009

By 

Linda Pagliuco "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Coffin for King Charles (Paperback)

The execution of Britain's King Charles I is one of the most shocking events in England's history. CV Wedgwood (Dame Cecily Veronica Wedgwood), noted historian and expert on the English Civil Wars, in 1964 tackled the daunting enterprise of unearthing, sifting through, and interpreting the primary documents pertaining to the final year of Charles's life.

At an impasse with the king over religious issues and his insistence on his Divine Right to rule without interference, Parliamentary factions determined that the only way to put an end to their warfare was to execute him. Wedgwood meticulously and impartially presented the evidence from both sides, writing an interesting and readable account from material that in itself could be rather dry. Her treatment of Charles's final week and of the aftermath of his death is compassionate but evenhanded. Surprisingly, the king's nemesis, Oliver Cromwell, did not play the most conspicuous role during this period. A Coffin for King Charles has deservedly become a classic on this remarkable period and its adamant antagonists.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Make histroy interesting, July 4, 2009

By 

Sarah "Sarah" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Coffin for King Charles (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. I found that it not only gives you a great deal of historical information, but you also feel like you a really getting to know King Charles.