God's Englishman: Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution

I know very little about Oliver Cromwell, but I was interested in reading a good introduction to his life.It's easy to see that Christopher Hill has written a fine biography, but for someone who doesn't know much about Cromwell and the 17th century, his account is a little hard to follow. He introduces persons and phenomena without an explanation of their status or function, as if he takes it for granted that his reader has already a fairly substantial background in 17th century history.This is not exactly a fault on his part, more the failing of his reader. But I must say that a book like A.J.P. Taylor's BISMARCK, which I read recently, introduced me to a lot of new information with sufficient clarity that I didn't lose the thread as often as I did with this book.In other words, if you don't know much about Cromwell, be prepared to back up several times when you read this book. Maybe reading another book about the Civil Wars before reading this one would be your best strategy.

This book tells the story of Oliver Cromwell and his climb to power in England. This exceptional man temporarily turned England into a Republic and went on to wage war in Scotland and Ireland. He also was part of the great Protestant movement and Christopher Hill carefully explains the ideas and implications of Protestantism and it effects on politics and society.

I don't have a lot to add to the comments of the previous reviewers. Mr. Douglas Wood remarked, "The book presumes the reader possesses a good bit of knowledge about the English Civil War. References to individual actors, even the less prominent, are often made without context." Mr. Clement Hamer added, "Indeed this book is for the more advanced reader in English and European History." I'm just underscoring those remarks and telling you casual readers wanting something compelling and accessible about Cromwell to leave this one for the real students of history who are already very familiar with the historical background. Most of you will be impatient with the author's throwing around names, incidents and issues without explanation, which you've never heard of. For the historian, Hill's book may actually deserve 5 stars. This is NOT your reads-like-a-novel pageturner bringing England's Civil War and its central figure vividly to life. I believe most readers would rate it my 3 stars and many of you lower than that.You've been forewarned.

very "pro" Cromwell and would have liked to have seen a little more criticism especially when new accounts have been revealed to dispute and place question upon Cromwell's military expertise.

You have to have a doctorate in The English Civil Wars to get anywhere in this book. I was looking for more of a basic biography of Cromwell.

Great historian, the book is in very god condition as promised

I bought this book in the hope of learning more about the English Revolution; it's gonna take a revolution to get me through the final pages.There is almost no mention of Cromwell's military exploits. In fact any military engagments are mentioned only in passing and in the past tense. Although the auther does mention that Cromwell's greatest fame among his contempories was due to his Army's victories. And that's it. Plus Cromwell's crushing of a Irish rebellion also gets barely a mention. I'd leave this one of the shelf and keeping looking.

Was what Oliver Cromwell told the Barebones Parliament before going onto declare that what really mattered was "those things wherein the life and power of them lay". In Christopher Hills biography of Cromwell - "God's Englishman" - he attempts to do both: tell the story of Cromwell and the English Revolution, as well as looking behind the story to see within what context those momentous events occurred, and to look at the ideas and forces that brought them to pass.Hill doesn't by any stretch of the imagination present the reader with an orthodox biography of Cromwell. Those looking for a collection of the small details, events, and developments that together form a life would be better served elsewhere. What "God's Englishman" does is narrate the history of England in parallel with that of Cromwell (with the emphasis on the developments in England) until the two come together during the tumultuous times of the 1640's and 50's. These weren't ordinary times by any standard: a civil war ensued, the King lost his head, an explosion of pamphleting included many new and novel ideas including those of the lower orders, Britain was a Republic, and the foundations of the British Empire and Britain's eventual industrial development were considerably firmed up.If, to paraphrase the quote of Cromwell that leads this review: there are narrative histories that are gripping and exciting reads, there are also histories that delve into those areas where the life and power of events lie (the intellectual, religious, social and economic spheres) that can be just as exhilarating. Christopher Hill has written one such history.If one is not familiar with the era perhaps Hills  The Century of Revolution, 1603-1714  is the best place to start. "God's Englishman" is a thorough look at the times, and on occasions is dense with information and argument that may overwhelm a reader in unfamiliar territory. I'd also recommend a good dictionary, or google, for definition of some of the terminology, without which a full appreciation of the book will elude the reader. The effort is well worth it.

It is now over 40 years since Christopher Hill wrote this classic, but the freshness of his words will surly last for as long as there are people who seek the truth about Cromwell. With "warts and all" Hill has produced a book worthy of the greatest Englishman of his time, if not, the greatest Englishman ever.We learn about his mistakes, and there were many, but we also learn about his ideas which formed the foundations of our society today, without Cromwell none of us would enjoy half of the freedoms we take for granted today. All this and more is brought to life in this remarkable book. For anyone with an interest in the English revolution,and why it took place when it did, this is a must.

This is quite the best book I have read on Oliver Cromwell. It goes into depth on the complexities of the man, the times, and the misnomers concerning him. Without a doubt, this man took the reins of the nation - not by design - but by necessity - bridging the gap between the medieval world and the age of reason. England could not go back, it could only go forward.

lovely

Difficult to get into.

Brilliant set of essays about a great if flawed leader. Hard going at times but worth persevering with.