As the title suggests, this volume offers a sketch of the first thirty years of Charles II's life. A wonderful benefit of limiting the scope of the subject is that readers are offered a chance to more fully immerse themselves in the details surrounding the monarch’s childhood and early adult life. The book also works as a quick overview of the English Civil War and really allows the reader to get a sense of what motivated this conflict, how and why Charles I erred, and how the young Charles II navigated those precarious times. My favorite anecdote was perhaps the exploration of Charles’ early affinity for a piece of wood who became his constant companion and the resulting musings over what this might signify. Another highlight was the discussion of Christabella Wyndham. I think in my other reading about Charles II, she has somehow been overshadowed by some of his later relationships, but the information presented about her was very interesting! Hobson’s writing is concise and accessible,.. Read more
NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip

In [i]Prince Rupert of the Rhine[/i], Mark Turnbull offers an impressively detailed and long-overdue reappraisal of one of the most fascinating figures of the English Civil Wars. Drawing on a vast array of primary sources, including fascinating newly-discovered research of his own, Turnbull presents a richly nuanced portrait of Prince Rupert. His biography cuts through centuries of myth-making, political propaganda, and selective misquotation to challenge the enduring image of Rupert as merely a swashbuckling cavalier. Turnbull’s achievement brings fresh clarity and scholarly balance to Rupert’s life and career. Far from the one-dimensional Royalist warlord of popular legend, Turnbull’s Rupert emerges as a complex, often contradictory figure: intellectually curious, scientifically minded, loyal to a fault, and yet frequently at odds with his own cause. This is no hagiography, though the author’s sympathies are occasionally evident. Rather, it is a scrupulously researched and persuasive.. Read more
Elizabeth St.John, Author - The Lydiard Chronicles

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars I thought I had left the Stuarts behind for a while after 2024, but when I saw this title about Charles II’s consort I couldn’t resist. I couldn’t tell you much about Catherine of Braganza specifically other than the fact that she and and Charles were unable to produce an heir and that she helped to popularize drinking tea. In the opening to her text, Abernethy reinforces the idea of Catherine as the “forgotten queen,” emphasizing that she largely been overlooked in history in favor of her husband, the Merry Monarch, and his long list of lovers. Charles II’s Portuguese Queen: The Legacy of Catherine of Braganza pulls forgotten consort out of the shadows and sheds light on her own life and contributions to history and culture. There isn’t much known about Catherine of of Braganza’s early life, but the first few chapters of the book familiarize the reader with Portuguese history and the rise of the Braganza dynasty, which I found to be very.. Read more
NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip

Very well laid out and fascinating book! As a Tudor fanatic, I learned quite a lot of new information and found the illustrations to be lovely
NetGalley, Margot Daniels

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars I really didn’t know a lot about Elizabeth of York but was able to learn about this woman and how she started the Tudor dynasty. It was researched well and enjoyed how much passion Beverley Adams had about this.
NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer