Cromwell, Our Chief of Men [Hardcover]

Antonia Fraser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 16, 2001

No Englishman has made more impact on the history of his nation than Oliver Cromwell; few have been so persistently maligned in the folklore of history. The central purpose of Antonia Fraser's book is the recreation of his life and character, freed from the distortions of myth and Royalist propaganda. Cromwell was a man of contradictions and surprising charm. The ruthless Psalm-singing General of the battlefields was also a country gentleman who, after his victory at Worcester paused to hawk in the fields nearby; the stern Puritan was also an exceptionally doting father; the most decisive and ruthless of commanders was also the passionate connoisseur of music; the strong man of England was prey to exhausting prolonged bouts of irresolution and as Lord Protector kept England on tenterhooks for a week while he wrestled with his conscience whether to accept the Crown. Of Cromwell's fitness for high office, both military and civil, this fascinating biography leaves no doubt. Under his rule English prestige abroad rose to a level unequalled since Elizabeth I. Yet - as Antonia Fraser's judicious assessment shows - his campaign in Ireland has cast a shadow over his reputation.As in all her books, Antonia Fraser combines a high standard of scholarship with a most exciting narrative. The result is a major biography in the finest tradition which displays great insight into this complex man and reveals a totally unexpected Cromwell far removed from the received stereotype.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Antonia Fraser is Britain's best-selling historian. She is married to Harold Pinter and lives in London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Press (August 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842124935
• ISBN-13: 978-1842124932
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,304,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, December 5, 2011

By 

Martin (Ulster) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cromwell Our Chief of Men-Tpb (Paperback)

I bought this volume after researching opinions on the various biographies of OC, and was not disappointed. This was described to me by someone I respect academically as "The Definitive Biography" and even if it's not, I found it informative. I wasn't brought up with a liking for Cromwell, but found Antonia Fraser's sympathetic and even heroic treatment of him to have aided my knowledge. There remain enigma's, though, such as how a professed Christian could be a regicide and the exact nature of his relationship with Menasseh ben Israel.
This is well worth the purchase, even if it's something of a hagiography.