Reviews for Charles II: the man and the statesman

The average rating for Charles II: the man and the statesman based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-05-30 00:00:00 Robin Walker This was an enjoyable read about "The Merry Monarch" among The Stuarts. The author did a good job at making interesting a story that starts out ready for the movies: overthrow of Charles I, exile of the son, Civil War, Cromwell and The Roundheads, glorious Restoration. Meanwhile, Charles II never seems to let up on chasing skirts, hence the "Merry" appellation I assume, and then the story drags in pointless, unimpressive wars for advantage, curious allying with the King of France and then a tedious series of various Parliaments summoned and prorogued and their fear of a Catholic monarch with ineffectual Exclusion acts and a monarch merry enough to demand Extreme Unction on his deathbed. I have been known to run on too long in speech, so I was glad to see I have monarchial inclination as Scottish cleric Gilbert Burnet said of Charles I: "he talks too much and runs out too long and too far."

Review # 2 was written on 2016-01-19 00:00:00 Jill Padilla This was a very straight-forward examination of the lives of Charles II and the 2nd Duke of Buckingham. Presented chronologically, it followed Buckingham from childhood through to his death. After his father died in battle, Buckingham was raised with the royal children, and became firm friends with the future Charles II. Hanrahan attributes the survival of the friendship between monarch and duke, despite betrayal, possible murder, potential treason, bankruptcy, and religious differences, to this childhood friendship, when they were closer than brothers. (The Duke of York, the future James II, hated Buckingham, in part because he took the position that should have been James'.) I really enjoyed this - it was a quick read, clearly written, and seemingly well-researched. My only quibble is with the title - it really is about Buckingham, not about Charles II, except where their lives were intertwined. There are a few digressions (primarily about mistresses,) but it's mostly Buckingham.