OLIVER CROMWELL: SOLDIER: The Military Life of a Revolutionary at War (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Civil War in general, and Oliver Cromwell in particular, is enjoying a significant revival in academic and general study; television docu-dramas, films, battlefield tours and the appearance of Cromwell in the 'Great Britons' and 'Men of the Millennium' polls demonstrate this. Here, Alan Marshall concentrates on the man's military life, for it is certainly true that it was Cromwell's battlefield skills, tactical astuteness and command capabilities that helped him attain his political goals. His efforts were not without controversy and this wide-ranging assessment will cover his strategic failings as well as his attributes. The book will surely come to feature in the personal and academic study resources of anyone seeking to gain a deeper knowledge of Cromwell as a military man.

Contents: Origins; The Road to War; The Face of War, 162; The Local War, 1643; From Marston Moor to Newbury, 1644; New Modelling, 1645-6; The Road to Preston, 1646-8; Ireland, 1649; The War Against the Scots, 1650-1; Conclusion: A Genius for War?

THE AUTHOR Alan Marshall is a Principal Lecturer in British and European history at Bath Spa University and is an expert on the 17th century. He has written and lectured extensively on this subject. He lives in Wells, Somerset.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Brassey's UK (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857533437
• ISBN-13: 978-1857533439
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,704,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars *Not* a biography. Very focused on his military campaigns., September 13, 2007

By	A. Bustamante "www.LightsCameraBirthday.com" (Westchester, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're looking for a good biography of Oliver Cromwell, this isn't the book for you. Marshall's description of 17th century battle techniques and his empirical analysis of Cromwell's battles are excellent. But for those (like me) who purchased the book to learn more about the man and his subsequent impact on England and English history, look elsewhere. Mr. Marshall's effort here is quite focused, and a bit more than dry in its literary flair.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 5, 2007

By	Bothell Reader (Washington) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent analysis of Cromwell's life and development as a soldier. And, only one of a few ever done (Frank Kitson's being one of the others -- it too is excellent).

The title says it all though, it is the Military Life of a Revolutionary at War, not a general biography.

Highly recommended.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A self taught Soldier, September 2, 2005

By	Patrick S. Baker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Cromwell has been mostly remembered for his politics. Politics that made him Lord-Protector of England. But before he was Lord-Protector, he was a soldier and general. This book details Cromwell's life as a self taught soldier and describes his campaigns in some detail.
This book is for any serious students of Cromwell or of Early Modern warfare.