I'm sure that this book is very well researched and factually correct, but I find the way that the author writes very difficult to follow. It didn't interest me enough to finish it.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in English history and the politics that govern this land. A good page turner with many interesting facts.

Overall, this book is an interesting read. Dr Timothy Venning has thoroughly produced a thoroughly researched book, which is excellent for students studying the period. Sadly, it does not work as an eBook. The formatting didn't work well, and it was difficult to flick back and to on a device. As a physical book, it would be far more enjoyable.
I did find the material very academic in tone, which could at times be dry. As an educator, it has the potential to be excellent for students, but may be inaccessible for some A Level students due to the language used.

Overall, the content is excellent and it is a very well-researched book.

This book was very interesting, albeit a little dry, as befits an academic history. Focusing on the last of the Interregnum and the beginning of Charles II's reign, Dr Venning concentrates on the figures of Oliver Cromwell and the new king, as well as a host of other important people of the time.

I am glad I read this, and highly recommend it for anyone interested in British history.

Putting aside complex debates about slavery and immigration, the United States is undoubtedly the progeny of the British empire. Even more so than any other colony perhaps because the English explorers, settlers, and frontiersmen who journeyed west for the most part completely displaced the native populations. As such, British history is American history, particularly as it relates to the cultural and political influences that were dominant in the 17th and 18th centuries. That makes books like Timothy Venning’s The Fall of Cromwell’s Republic and the Return of the King: From Commonwealth to Stuart Monarchy, 1657-1670 an interesting blend of both British and American history. The book describes the British peoples early attempts at creating a constitutional republic, a la the United States.

Oliver Cromwell was a 17th century British politician who led the country through a civil war that resulted in the execution of the King and the rise of Cromwell as an executive figure titled the “Lord Protector.” He died within a few years of taking this office in 1658 leaving a vacuum in British leadership that ultimately led to his son, Richard Cromwell being named “Lord Protector” until the return of the monarch King Charles II. Venning’s book describes the efforts taken by the “government” to try to project and achieve stability during this time.

Students of the American Revolution will see some similarities to the debates that took place during the American founding. There was the puzzling effort to determine what to name the Oliver Cromwell’s new executive role, in the same way John Adams struggled to come up with an appropriate title for George Washington. Venning goes into the multiple attempts Cromwell’s advisors made to designate his title a monarchy which he resisted. The prevailing opinion was that a kingship would add to the sense of domestic stability. There is no doubt the American Founders were aware of this perception.

After Cromwell’s death, the title of Lord Protector awkwardly passed to his son Richard. His tenure would last only a few years. The Fall of Cromwell outlines the various factions including Royalists, religious groups, and military groups that helped facilitate the end of efforts to craft a constitution-based order. The book closes with the restoration of the monarch despite the growing backlash against Royalists. According to Venning, the Restoration brought relief to a population that was tired of the prolonged political instability. He also documents the retaliation and favors that were doled out by the restored monarchy and the efforts taken to stabilize the shaky government.

The Fall of Cromwell is a nice, concise study of an important moment in time in British history. It seems particularly relevant to those who are interested in the American Founding.
This review is based on receipt of an advanced review copy.

Dr Venning clearly put a lot of time and effort into studying this period, it's very well researched and doesn't lose its focus as it sticks to the principal figures who were highly influential in this period of time, as befits someone with a PhD from king's. Unfortunately it also reads like someone's thesis, which is great for those who want to take their interest to the next level, but a bit out of place on Netgalley.
However, the publishers should consider that Netgalley isn't necessarily the right outlet for something so academic.
While the book is clearly thought provoking, I think the format doesn't suit digital devices, as if I wanted to go back to a biography it was a massive pain.

3.5*

I have to agree with the majority of others who've left a review here, this wasn't a very enjoyable reading experience on a Kindle device and very much a case of a physical copy of the book is likely to be the best option.

The formatting was all over the place in the Glossary at the beginning with sentences cutting through other parts and making the descriptions difficult to follow.

However, the book itself is clearly an extensively researched academic study and covers an interesting period of English history which is often overlooked in favour of the Civil War or the Restoration itself.

As someone with an interest in the New Model Army as well as the Civil War period itself, as "Black Tom" Fairfax lived in Denton which is on the outskirts of my home town, I found this book to be a very solid examination of the time period.

I found this book rather dense and dry, unfortunately, although the history of this time period is certainly 'messy', involving arguments between the military, the excessively religious and the 'Moderates'. The short biographies of the important people at the front of the book is not that helpful on Kindle. I thought that this book would be a useful reference tome, but it was difficult to read.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Firmly in the category of academic history, this book still manages to maintain a good rhythm without getting bogged down in minute details. Short but informative, it tackles two of the most prominent figures of 17th century English history. Each has had numerous books about them, so this book is a good sampler or primer before diving in further.

An interesting if dry political history of Cromwell’s rule in England and the return of Charles II Stuart. This book reads more like an academic paper than a history book for the general public which makes it difficult for me to focus my attention.