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

5.0

this book is insane. the history within it is insane. all of the characters involved are insane and the fact most of them made it out alive makes the story even more insane. this is most definitely a history book and is filled with your typical style of evidence supported storytelling that comes with a history book, but it honestly feels more like reading or listening to a docudrama about this weird little six week escape mission that charles ii had to take. which also leads me to my favourite part of the book - the insights and stories that humanise the boy king, like when he was yelled at by a cook for not being able to roast some meat on a spit. there were definitely parts that have your essential history tidbits: battles and politics that need to be explained in order to fully grasp the story at hand, but spencer writes with such a guiding hand and easy explanations that not only tell the the story in the present, but the history surrounding it - making for an information-packed romp through the countryside with a king and the men who want his head. if you're just getting into history this is a perfect read - not too long, not too difficult and really enjoyable read to the end of the month.
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