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jroberts1995's review against another edition
3.0
Having recently read a book on the English Civil Wars, I found Charles Spencer's Killers of the King rather easy to follow and refreshingly focused. Many popular histories are prone to meandering, with author's intended direction becoming unclear amidst an excess of background information. That certainly isn't the case with Spencer's account, which rarely departs from its premise of following the trials and tribulations of the men who consented to the execution of King Charles I. Relatively little is said of Oliver Cromwell and, were this a film, Richard Cromwell would barely receive credit as an extra.
I'd recommend this without hesitation to anyone with an interest in the consequences of the English Civil Wars and the basis for the Restoration. However, for those who haven't approached the subject before, it would probably make for a confusing introduction.
I'd recommend this without hesitation to anyone with an interest in the consequences of the English Civil Wars and the basis for the Restoration. However, for those who haven't approached the subject before, it would probably make for a confusing introduction.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
This highly readable history is divided into three sections. The first is the story of the flight of Charles I from England during the English Civil War, his capture and return to England, and his trial and execution. The second section focuses on the politics within the Commonwealth government of Oliver Cromwell and identification of the 59 regicides who signed Charles I's execution order. The final section examines the frantic quest for self-preservation among the regicides after the Restoration of Charles II.
joshua_c's review against another edition
3.5
A competent and comprehensive breakdown of the actions and outcomes of the men responsible for the execution of Charles I at the conclusion of the English Civil War. Though somewhat lacking flair, Killers of the King provides a clear and accessible account of one of the most outrageous episodes of English Early Modern History and would be perfectly satisfactory for anyone hoping to learn more about the event and the men responsible for it.
anneliesb's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely more readable than a dry history textbook, but the footnotes and aim at historical accuracy take away from the smooth reading experience of a historical novel. If you're interested in the period, this is a very accessible book. But the nature of the topic does reduce it to count-down list, x regicides dead, y to go. Midway it gets a bit tedious; regicide 24/59 has his genitals chopped of and disembowled, next, regicide 25/59 has his genitals chopped and is disembowled, regicide 26/59....you get the picture.
It only picks up in the last +/- 50 pages. The last remaining 'villains' have escaped to America and the hunt for them is quite adventurous and exciting.
I guess if history had been different this would be a different book. But hey, you cannot blame the author for the lack of variety in death sentences for a whole flock of regicides.
It only picks up in the last +/- 50 pages. The last remaining 'villains' have escaped to America and the hunt for them is quite adventurous and exciting.
I guess if history had been different this would be a different book. But hey, you cannot blame the author for the lack of variety in death sentences for a whole flock of regicides.
gellie3097's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read enjoyed hearing about the capture and man hunt for the various regicides. It is a heavily detailed and comprehensive history but that makes it a difficult book to get through, with the first 40% of the book covering the trial and execution being the most tedious to get through.
Historical 4
Historical 4
frostbitsky's review
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I didn't know that Princess Diana's brother wrote history books. I got this from a 2 books for 1 credit from Audible.
I never really understood how Parliament managed to execute a king and the details of his sham of a trial sheds light on that. I also knew nothing of the aftermath when his son, Charles II, took the throne back.
I did like learning a lot of history facts. It's really well researched and I feel like I'll be able to answer more Jeopardy! clues.
I had never heard of The Fifth Monarchists before. (A radical group of Puritans, they took their name from a prophecy in the Old Testament that said there had been four great empires (Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman) and a fifth would be formed by the return of Christ in the Second Coming.) And Thomas Harrison was a nut case! He punched his executioner!
I also never knew John Milton wrote propaganda for the Oliver Cromwell regime.
I couldn't remember everyone's names and sometimes my mind would wander because there were just so many Regicide men being hunted down. But there are so many little details for history buffs to absorb. Mainly what I always learn from history books is that times change, people don't.
3 out of 5 Axes.
johnnygamble's review against another edition
2.0
don't know why I expected a more interesting narrative. A snore.
jdscott50's review against another edition
3.0
Charles Spencer’s work focuses on the Parliamentary characters that would precipitate the English Civil War and execute King Charles I. Far before the French Revolution’s regicide and the years of the Terror, it sent shockwaves through Europe and would have lasting effects in Europe and in what would become the United States.
A direct result of religious differences and the past abuses of the Stuart line, James I and Charles I would consistently defy Parliament. In many cases, they would enact orders without a vote, exceeding the power of the king. When Scotland invades England, Parliament refuses to raise funds for an army, thus becoming the catalyst for the crisis. This book isn’t about the English Civil War or the rule of the Rump Parliament. It is the story of those who would challenge and kill their king and later face the consequences of their actions.
Spencer spells out the initial trial of the king, a historical event via courtroom drama. Much of the trial resembles the impeachment trials of a president. In particular, when Charles I states that “…the people are mind by inheritance…” it reminded me of Nixon’s, “If the president does it, it is not illegal.” With this distinction, Spencer is able to flesh out the justification for the crimes of the king. This event along with many in the coming years would continually weaken the role of the royals to figureheads. However, just 12 years later, Oliver Cromwell dies and having not fully purged the royalists, they get their revenge on these regicides. A reversal of fortunes, these men are then tried and sentenced to gruesome deaths. Many escape, going to the Americas and strengthening the colonies established from Plymouth Rock. It’s a fascinating examination of the consequences of historical actions and the how the colonization of the Americas stem from this conflict.
A direct result of religious differences and the past abuses of the Stuart line, James I and Charles I would consistently defy Parliament. In many cases, they would enact orders without a vote, exceeding the power of the king. When Scotland invades England, Parliament refuses to raise funds for an army, thus becoming the catalyst for the crisis. This book isn’t about the English Civil War or the rule of the Rump Parliament. It is the story of those who would challenge and kill their king and later face the consequences of their actions.
Spencer spells out the initial trial of the king, a historical event via courtroom drama. Much of the trial resembles the impeachment trials of a president. In particular, when Charles I states that “…the people are mind by inheritance…” it reminded me of Nixon’s, “If the president does it, it is not illegal.” With this distinction, Spencer is able to flesh out the justification for the crimes of the king. This event along with many in the coming years would continually weaken the role of the royals to figureheads. However, just 12 years later, Oliver Cromwell dies and having not fully purged the royalists, they get their revenge on these regicides. A reversal of fortunes, these men are then tried and sentenced to gruesome deaths. Many escape, going to the Americas and strengthening the colonies established from Plymouth Rock. It’s a fascinating examination of the consequences of historical actions and the how the colonization of the Americas stem from this conflict.