To Catch a King: Charles II's Great Escape by Charles Spencer

3.97 AVERAGE

eric_conrad's review against another edition

4.5
adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced
This was an exciting account of a part of English history that prior to reading this book was only vaguely known to me  Charles II certainly led an adventurous life. His six weeks on the run from his enemies was amazing to hear from those who helped him.
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hrhaphrodite1's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous funny informative inspiring tense fast-paced

ma_parx's review against another edition

4.0
adventurous informative reflective medium-paced
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ilikemandos's review against another edition

4.5
adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

readingoals's review against another edition

5.0
4.5 stars
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missajackman's review against another edition

3.25
adventurous informative slow-paced

begemot's review

4.25
fast-paced
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catherine_t's review

5.0
adventurous informative tense fast-paced
 In 1651, Charles II's Royalist forces were soundly trounced by the New Model Army at the Battle of Worchester. Charles himself managed to evade the Parliamentary forces, fully aware that if he were captured, he'd suffer the same fate as his father. Thus began six weeks of running and hiding across the length and breadth of England. 

English Civil War history isn't a specialty of mine; I've never really looked into it much, to be honest. I'm much more a medievalist who enjoys a side of World War II European history. But I also like to be somewhat well-rounded when it comes to British history, so when I came across this title as a bargain e-book, I couldn't really resist. 

I'm glad I didn't, because this is a pretty fascinating tale. It's practically a Boys' Own story, what with the hiding in priest holes and, most memorably, up an oak tree, the wearing of disguises, and the near misses and close calls Charles suffered. From the moment Charles shouted, “Shift for yourselves, gentlemen!” to the fleeing men of the Royalist forces to the skin-of-his-teeth escape in the ship Surprise, I rather found myself on the edge of my seat, as it were—despite knowing the eventual outcome. 

Spencer writes with a fluidity not many can achieve. I look forward to reading more of his work. 

spencesational's review against another edition

2.0
First of all, this wasn't the Charles I wanted to read about. The Charles I wanted to read about was Bonnie Prince Charlie so it is my fault that I had no interest in this book. I do have to say though; I love history, mainly British, but any significant history is interesting for me. Except this.

Although it was only 278 pages it took me an age to read (no doubt due to the non-interest) and I dreaded reading it to be honest. Don't get me wrong, it is highly informative for someobody who would be interested in Charles II and his escape but it just wasn't for me.

(Just to clarify; you may be wondering why I finished the book if I wasn't interested in it. I am doing the 2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge which really involves finishing a book of said category, so it was either finish this or start another.)

charliebowden's review against another edition

2.75
adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced