Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) is a figure of enormous importance in the history of Britain. Propelled to prominence amid the political and military turmoil of the 1640s, he became a dazzlingly successful soldier and politician, a man who possessed the power and influence to shape the course of revolution and reform. A natural military genius, he played a crucial role both in crushing royalism in England and Wales and in establishing English republican control over Ireland and Scotland. He rose to be head of the army and eventually head of state of a united Britain as Lord Protector. He was a statesman of considerable ability, running a strong and stable regime, which began the process of rebuilding the nation and healing the divisions of the civil war. Yet Cromwell was also a religious visionary, a man of God, who believed that the Lord had not only chosen him for some special mission but had also handed him the military success and political power to fulfil that divine mission. In consequence, Cromwell strove during his closing years to bring to fruition a broad programme of religious and moral reformation, to the end displaying a burning zeal to create a better and more Godly land, and thus always retained his radical edge. This illustrated biography provides a concise and accessible introduction to Oliver Cromwell's life and career. The text draws upon extensive and up-to-date research as well as contemporary speeches and letters, both personal and political, and gives an insight into the hopes and fears, goals and aspirations of this powerful and exceptional man.
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"Clearly written, well organized and suffused with human interest, this new study will prove deservedly popular in sixth forms and university courses." History <!––end––> "This book is as disciplined, vivid and vigorous as the man it celebrates. Gaunt offers a convincing interpretation of Cromwell′s life and a shrewd assessment of his achievement." John Morrill, Vice Master and Reader in Early Modern History, Selwyn College, Cambridge "A carefully written and well argued account." The Times "A new and controversial account of one of the pivotal figures in British history. This scholarly account is nonetheless interesting and informative." Rachel Dickinson, Waterstone′s, Richmond, in The Bookseller "A concise but thick–textured and comprehensive reconsideration of a character, a career, a life and a reputation, making no claim to be definitive – each generation commands its own reappraisal – but ensured of an enduring place in the historiography." Ivan Roots, Cromwelliana "Serious and well researched." The Sunday Times " Oliver Cromwell is a superb and scholarly biography, and essential reading for any definitive study of 17th century British and Irish history. Midwest Book Review "The strength of Peter Gaunt′s book is that it integrates Cromwell′s military and political careers and deals seriously and sensitively with his religion. It is also well written. In his handling of Cromwell′s battlefield exploits, Gaunt is superior to virtually all other recent biographers ... Gaunt has written the most useful biography since C. H. Firth′s Oliver Cromwell and the Rule of the Puritans appeared in 1900." Albion
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This book re–examines Cromwell′s life and career. It opens with an assessment of the man and myth, exploring the legends which surround Cromwell, the differing interpretations advanced by generations of historians and the source material upon which such interpretations can be based. The book then provides an extensive, chronologically based examination of Cromwell′s life and career, highlighting key events and turning points. It closes with thematic assessments of some key aspects of Cromwell, including his character and appearance, his political outlook and his religious beliefs.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By G. J. Weeks
Format:Hardcover
This is the best biography of Cromwell which I have read. It is concise and an easy read. Particularly pleasing is how the author gives criticism of many sources on Cromwell to assess their credibility for many are from those with cause to hate him or so late to be of doubtful provenance. Despite losing some favorite quotes this way one is given plenty of others from Oliver himself which confirm that this was no hypocritical ambitious dissembler but a man who believed he was guided and blessed by Providence to lead and rule .
The speed of the transformation from a little known farmer to the greatest military leader on Briish soil and then to head of state is truly astonishing. Gaunt has a good analysis of the reasons why Cromwell refused the crown and of his much criticised Irish campaign.
I found this a very fair book. The reader is informed that you cannot understand Cromwell through modern secularist spectacles. You have to understand some 17th century theology to see what motivated this man. I think the author is very fair in giving us the views of those critical of Cromwell though showing that some critics, like Clarendon found much to admire in Oliver. He ultimately failed to get his godly reformation established but he was a champion of liberty before its time. Here is no self agrandising dictator but a man who only rules with his council of state and written constitution. He never sought the wealth and luxury of kings.
The speed of the transformation from a little known farmer to the greatest military leader on Briish soil and then to head of state is truly astonishing. Gaunt has a good analysis of the reasons why Cromwell refused the crown and of his much criticised Irish campaign.
I found this a very fair book. The reader is informed that you cannot understand Cromwell through modern secularist spectacles. You have to understand some 17th century theology to see what motivated this man. I think the author is very fair in giving us the views of those critical of Cromwell though showing that some critics, like Clarendon found much to admire in Oliver. He ultimately failed to get his godly reformation established but he was a champion of liberty before its time. Here is no self agrandising dictator but a man who only rules with his council of state and written constitution. He never sought the wealth and luxury of kings.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Norway93
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When Studying Cromwell at A level i found no other book that gave me all the information needed that was accesible as this text. Gaunt has created a book that is very easy to follow and very easy to use for referencing without a doubt my most used book for coursework on Cromwell.
8 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By The Jackal
Format:Paperback
This book by Gaunt is the product of considerable research and is well-written to boot. However it needs to be understood that this is written from the perspective of an academic who wears his devotions on his sleeve, and who also happens to be the chairman of The Cromwell Association. It is therefore not a truly critical study - subscribing as it does to the view that Cromwell was the greatest Englishman ever to grace the shores of the British Isles, and that he could do little if any wrong. It is on Ireland that limitations are most apparent: any blame or culpability for his massacres at Drogheda and Wexford are glossed over, and any letters cited conveniently exclude Cromwell's less temperate justifications such as his description of Irish Catholics as: "Barbarous and bloodthirsty" (as delivered to Protestants in Dublin in 1649 to whom he offered rewards for those who would take part in his campaigns). We are still recovering from the effects of Cromwell's anti-Irish and anti-Catholic policy in Ireland.
This book is essentially a paean of praise to Cromwell and an apologia for his less defensible acts - dressed up as a critical study. Anyone reading this, needs to consider that there is more than one way of interpreting historical events and the people who make them. A useful counter-balancing study would be: `God's executioner: Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland' by Dr Micheal O'Siochru (2008), Faber. Cromwell left a shadow in England as well, hence the celebrations that greeted his worldly demise.
This book is essentially a paean of praise to Cromwell and an apologia for his less defensible acts - dressed up as a critical study. Anyone reading this, needs to consider that there is more than one way of interpreting historical events and the people who make them. A useful counter-balancing study would be: `God's executioner: Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland' by Dr Micheal O'Siochru (2008), Faber. Cromwell left a shadow in England as well, hence the celebrations that greeted his worldly demise.
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