Product Description

The sixth of nine volumes in the major Penguin History of Britain series, A Monarchy Transformed narrates the tempestuous political events of the Stuart dynasty. It charts the reigns of six monarchs, and the course of two revolutions as well as religious upheavals that shook the beliefs of seventeenth-century Britons to the core.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #174396 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

About the Author
MARK KISHLANSKY is Professor of English and European History at Harvard University. He is a well known author in his field, and lives in the USA.

Customer Reviews

Good introduction to the politics of a tumultuous era
This book is primarily a political and religious history of the period; British society during this period is relegated to a single chapter, while cultural history and the great scientific discoveries merit only the briefest of mention in the prologue. In a different context this might not matter so much, but for a volume in a series that purports to provide an introduction to the history of the British Isles the decision to focus on just a single aspect of that history is disappointing.

Nevertheless, what this book does it does well. Kishlansky offers a clear and readable narrative of a century wracked with political and religious turmoil, something that in itself is no small achievement. It is also free of the numerous historiographical disputes, and as such is a safe book for readers wanting an introduction to the Stuarts' reign. The inclusion of Scotland and Ireland into the picture is especially welcome, as it gives a fuller understanding of the era than was available in the traditionally England-specific studies. As a result, it provides a good starting point for understanding how the government of Great Britain developed during the tumultuous decades of the seventeenth century, one that saw the permanent redefinition of the role of the crown in British political life.

The evolution of the constitutional monarchy in Britain
Mr. Kishlansky provides a concise narrative of the events that characterized seventeenth century English history and that resulted in the modern British parliament and constitutional monarchy. His attention to detail shows his thorough knowledge of the history of Great Britain and most importantly, shows how the rise of the modern parliamentary system & constitutional monarchy at century's end provided mechanisms to many of the legal questions which gave rise to the various revolutions and civil wars that characterized the century's previous history. An excellent book for anyone interested in British history or who wishes to know where the founding fathers of the American revolution obtained so many of the ideas that characterize the American constitution and its emphasis on the paramountcy of the rule of law.

Excellent narrative account
'A Monarchy Transformed' is an excellent introduction to early modern British history. Kishlansky's book charts this turbulent period well, covering all of the fundamental political and monarchical issues in depth, employing an engaging narrative and a concise structure.
This book is of relevance to the general reader, but is also useful to scholars as an introductory guide to a complex, tumultuous period. The only negative is the lack of historiographical analysis, however, if taken as an introduction, it is ultimately successful. A highly recommended guide to a fundamental period of British history.