I very much enjoyed this book. With that said, I enjoy most history books. I wasn’t sure if I would find this to my liking because of a certain distaste I have for English monarchs. What I found fascinating is the enormous struggle that went on between the forces of parliamentary democracy and the absolute authority of the Stuart Kings. In “Civil War” Peter Ackroyd lays out this bloody struggle in lucid detail. Of course this includes the English civil war and the emergence and fall of the republic under Oliver Cromwell.
In many respects this is a book about personal and religious freedom, and those who
try to enforce their will and conformity through a top down dictatorial approach to governing. There is a deeper message here that is particularly relevant at the current time on both sides of the Atlantic.
There are some striking similarities between seventeenth century Britain and present day America. Particularly this includes the kind of polarization that can lead to armed clashes and civil war. Fortunately, this book ends with the victory of the people as they assert their collective will. Parliament ultimately triumphs over the reign of absolute monarchs and a military dictatorship. That’s an outcome worth celebrating, and for those who love history this is a book worth reading.
Warning: Contains some foul language and numerous instances of beheading and other forms of violence.
you are watching a movie, but a 4D movie. (This would make a great Broadway play.) It puts you in the scene. You taste and feel and smell. You are transported back in time. You get to really know the characters as if they were people living on your block. You travel back in time to the first-century world and experience it all.
past Christmas and I plan to read it a second time. It is one of the best devotionals I have ever read for the following reasons:
not only these wonderful writings, but how they relate to our own personal experience and God relationship.
compelling imagery and believable dialogue and action. The rereading of this last week before the crucifixion of Jesus was a moving reminder of what He suffered for me. Readers of Biblical fiction will not want to miss The Soldier Who Killed a King.
passionate approach. David reminds us that the Bible is “still alive; still breathing,” and it is just as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago. God is still very much alive, loving us, waiting for us, drawing us to Him.
