The book is enlivened by character sketches not only of the leading participants (Charles I, Prince Rupert, Oliver Cromwell), but also of the numerous lesser characters, male and female, who took part in the desperate conflict. Families and friends were bitterly divided as men left home to fight for King or Parliament. Castles and towns were besieged and sacked. Houses were plundered, churches desecrated and some 200,000 lives were lost.
Christopher Hibbert was described by Professor Sir John Plumb as a тАШwriter of the highest abilityтАЩ and by the тАШNew StatesmanтАЩ as тАШa pearl of biographersтАЩ. He is our leading popular historian whose works reflect meticulous scholarship. His much-acclaimed books include тАШThe Destruction of Lord RalganтАЩ, тАШThe Court at Windsor, LondonтАЩ and тАШRome: Biography of a CityтАЩ.