Books about the English Civil Wars

[ApocalypseNowt]

I've got into a bit of a history kick recently and fancy reading a book about the English Civil Wars. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Ideally something that's that's not too dry/academic and is an entertaining read!

‘World Turned Upside Down’ by Christopher Hill. It’s looks at all the strange religious sects which were born out of the English Civil War, the Ranters, Levellers, Diggers, etc. Hill has written other books about the ECW, but I thought this was fascinating.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Turned-Upside-Down-Revolution/dp/0140137327

Thank you! I'll add that to my next Abe books order :)

Not sure if you were looking for fiction but the Kingmaker series by Toby Clements is incredible.

It's about the aftermath/Restoration but I'd recommend Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris.

Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis.
It's a novel but her research is excellent.

I recently read some books by Elizabeth St John. She covers in her historical fiction the civil war years and years around it. I found them interesting reads.

https://www.elizabethjstjohn.com/books/

I can thoroughly recommend 'The Siege of Loyalty House' by Jessie Childs. It is centred around the siege of Basing House in the Civil War but goes into a lot of the history around the war.

For fiction, 'Gods vindictive wrath' by Charles Cordell is very good for bringing the actual feeling of battle to life, and 'The Oak Apple' by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles follows a Yorkshire family through the period of the war (its part of a series of book about the same family) and has more family and romance in it.

This one - collected contemporary or near contemporary accounts of the escape of Charles II
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boscobel-relating-Worcester-subsequent-adventures/dp/B003P0XVTE

I generally read it side by side with Royal Escape by Georgette Heyer, which is near identical to the sources.

The White Witch by Elizabeth Goudge.

Seconding Christopher Hill and Lindsey David. Adding the novel London in Chains.

Ooh, my favourite period of history!

The Restless Republic by Anna Keay, about the Cromwellian period but loads of fascinating stuff about the war and the lead up to it.

CV Wedgewood The King’s Peace and The King’s War have been around for a while but very readable.

Antonia Fraser’s The Weaker Vessel, about 17th century women’s lives

A novel, As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann

Also Daphne du Maurier The King’s General about civil war Cornwall.

Excellent historical series by SG McLean, starts with Cromwell's protectorate. First one is called The Seeker.

I'm so glad that this book is remembered. I believe it was the book that got me a place at Oxford to read history. At the time (over 40yrs ago) it was a really different approach to the period and I had an interesting discussion with the interviewer about it. I probably still have my copy somewhere.

”Why was Charles I Executed” by Clive Holmes. Short and snappy book written by one of Oxford’s loveliest history tutors

CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST.

Great suggestions on here.

If you're ok with fiction then Pamela Belle has written three or four novels set in that era.

Wow! I wasn't expecting so many replies :)

Thank you v much for the recommendations, I'm going to order a selection and see how I get on.

I was actually thinking non-fiction but some of the novels look really interesting so I'll chuck in a couple of them too.

It's a period of history I know next to nothing about, just some sketchy memories from my school days. I love history though so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in!

Let me go through our bookcase of books on the Civil War and I'll make out a list.

Not a book but the latest Time Team dig on YouTube was in Modbury and the Civil War period was part of their dig. It’s worth a watch if you fancy it.

Day 1 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qIW9EflPUEI&pp=ygUadGltZSB0ZWFtIG9mZmljaWFsIG1vZGJ1cnk%3D
Day 2 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BVY8Z9RyI_E&pp=ygUadGltZSB0ZWFtIG9mZmljaWFsIG1vZGJ1cnk%3D
Day 3 - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CfQrtT5s9PY&pp=ygUadGltZSB0ZWFtIG9mZmljaWFsIG1vZGJ1cnk%3D

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears is set just after this period but may well be the kind of thing you’re after. It’s a (sort of) murder
mystery and is a massive page turner but is also incredibly well researched. I haven’t read many other historical novels with such a strong sense of time and place.

I was going to say the same. Just reading this now. Also noticed it’s on a kindle deal at the moment

In addition to those non-fiction books already mentioned:

• Peter Ackroyd, Civil War, (History of England, Volume III)
• Richard Ollard This War Without An Enemy (published some time ago but a good overview)
• Ronald Hutton, The Royalist War Effort 1642 - 1646 (again published some time ago, a bit specialised but very readable)
• Alison Plowden, Women All On Fire: The Women of the English Civil War

There are some books on the war in particular regions - e.g. the Midlands, London, if that is of interest.

Another novel from some years ago - Rosemary Sutcliff, The Rider of the White Horse, about Thomas Fairfax

I have ordered 8 books, mix of non-fiction and novels. That should keep me going for a while!

Have also put loads more on my save for later.

@Comfor I've just put this on while DH reads the DC bedtime stories. It'll keep me occupied till the books arrive!