King Charles II [Paperback]

Antonia Fraser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2002

Following a youth of poverty and bitter exile after his father's execution, the ousted king first challenged, then made his magnificent escape from, Cromwell's troops before he was eventually restored to his throne in triumph in 1660. Spanning his life both before and after the Restoration, Antonia Fraser's lively and fascinating biography captures all the vitality of the man and the expansiveness of the age. 'Detailed, sympathetic, and admirably readable' ECONOMIST

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since 1969, Antonia Fraser has written many acclaimed historical works which have been international bestsellers, including Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots (James Tait Black Memorial Prize), Cromwell: Our Chief of Men, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Gunpowder Plot: Terror and Faith in 1605 (St Louis Literary Award; CWA Non-Fiction Gold Dagger). Antonia Fraser was made CBE in 1999, and awarded the Norton Medlicott Medal by the Historical Association in 2000. She is married to the playwright Harold Pinter and lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Paperbacks (June 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075381403X
• ISBN-13: 978-0753814031
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.6 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating portrait of the not so merry monarch, September 6, 2009

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Charles II (Paperback)

Antonia Fraser clearly had a passion for this project, and it shows from the opening of the book right the way through the narrative. My only criticism is she uses tons of foreshadowing which gets rather irritating after a while, and the convoluted family tree can be a bit trying to have to deal with all the time.

It could also do with an update using some newer sources, since it was published originally back in the early 1990s. Still, an impressive achievement and one that does not dismiss him as the 'merry monarch' he has often been depicted as. He was a brave survivor in a most tumultous age, and as she says, achieved things that James I and Charles I, this grandfather and father, scarcely ever dreamed of.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Charles I, but the same key problems, October 28, 2009

By 

Les Fearns "casahistoria.net" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Charles II (Paperback)

Fraser's 30 year old biography is comprehensive in its survey (over 600 pages before you get to the notes) of the restored Charles II. As such it provides a useful continuation to any study of the English Civil War and its postwar political development - or so I thought. Fraser's account makes it clear that in many ways despite being having a safer pair of political hands then his father and being constantly aware of the consequences of a rift with his subjects, politically Charles II was but a more worldy-wise and pragmatic version of his father. The father's problems are not eradicated by the son, or by the 20 years of conflict that preceeded the 1660 restoration. Charles II has problems with Parliament - the issues of conflict are similar to those of Charles I; he is perhaps most steady once he rules without Parliament at the end of his reign. Again this was possible only due to financial security and has elements of similarity with Charles I's period of Personal Rule. War would have meant recalling Parliament and a return to conflict - again as with Charles I. This insight in itself makes the read worthwhile. Equally useful is the light the work casts on the relationship of Charles II with his brother and heir, James II.

As for the biography, the narrative is best when telling of Charles II's early life and exile as well as his dealings with his womenfolk (clearly considerate). Once in power, the book becomes a less satisfying read. Chronology is the basis of its framework. At times a more thematic structure (or substructure) would make for a clearer read. It is perhaps a book better used for its index rather than as a cover to cover read. I missed the flowing, more integrated writing of Fraser's more recent work.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Charles, August 2, 2007

By 

Rampaging Hippogriff (Melbourne) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Charles II (Paperback)

This is what popular historical writing is all about - a readable, knowledgeable, enjoyable book. Fraser provides a superb introduction to the varied life and dramatic times of king Charles II. Her background information is clear and reliably accurate, she provides a great deal of insight into the person of this most personable of kings, and her bibliography is a launching place for further explorations. One could only wish to be able to submit a list of suggestions for new books...