Good Books

[Wildfowler]

What good books have you read on the English Civil War.

I will kick off with

"The English Civil War, A peoples history" by Diane Purkiss

A superb book that examines the war from the letters, diarys and comments of those who actually fought the war. From Earls to serving wenches. This is an excellent book well researched and very readable.

Who can not be impressed by the letters of Nehemiah Wharton a Sergeant in Denzil Holles Regiment. He wrote letters back to his master (He was an apprentice in London) describing his experiences, thoughts and fears to the man he was apprenticed to. A man he also considers to be his friend.
The waste of war hits home even after four hundred years.
For Nehemiah's letters cease afer Edgehill. Denzil Holles Regiment suffered severe loses at Edgehill and it must be feared that Nehemiah fell for his cause in that battle.

[Mr_Fluffy]

I'll look out for that one, thanks.

Am currently reading 'All the King's Armies - a military history of the English Civil War 1642 - 1651' by Stuart Reid. A very well done book detailing the compositions of the various armies, their tactics and their battles. The author breaks down the war into theatres, following each one in turn, a device that make the events very easy to follow. Each battle described has a full breakdown of the regiments involved. Not bogged down with the political and religious aspects of the era.

A very good introduction - and an invaluable resource - is Philip Haythornthwaite's 'Armies of The English Civil War'. Superbly illustrated with much colour artwork depicting the uniforms and equipment of the armies.

'Cromwell - Our Chief Of Men' by Antonia Frasier is a great work that successfully humanises its' subject.

C.V. Wedgewood's trilogy 'The King's Peace', 'The King's War' and 'The Trial of Charles I' (American edition entitled 'A Coffin For King Charles') is well worth checking out, bringing the era to life with descriptions of daily life alongside the tumultuous events of the subject matter.

Also worth seeking out is Thomas Carlyle's 'Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell' - normally to be found in second-hand bookshops - along with Carlylse's biography of Cromwell, it was very popular in Victorian times.

Next on my 'to read' list is 'In A Free Republic - life in Cromwell's England' by Alison Plowden, which - as the title suggests - deals with the period immediately following the wars. Looks very interesting, but will pass further comment when I've read it.