THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR: AN ATLAS AND CONCISE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF THE THREE KINGDOMS

A new approach to a tumultuous period

“An innovative and utterly fascinating work that is part-atlas, part-history”

Author Nick Lipscombe Publisher Osprey Press Price £50 Released Out now

The tumultuous tale of the English Civil War has been revisited often, but The English Civil War: An Atlas And Concise History Of The Wars Of The Three Kingdoms offers a refreshing new approach. From 1639 to 1651, the country was gripped by unrest and violence that resulted in thousands of casualties and, ultimately, the execution of a monarch. It was a brutal conflict that touched every corner of the nation and though locations such as Marston Moor and Naseby are well-known, these were far from the only places that played a part in the reshaping of the political and royal landscape.

Nick Lipscombe’s new work isn’t simply another history of the Civil War, but an innovative and utterly fascinating work that’s part-atlas, part-history. From the first blows of the Bishops’ War to the dawn of the Protectorate, it takes us on a very literal journey across the three kingdoms, accompanied by over 150 beautifully presented and annotated maps.

To approach the English Civil War by means of an atlas is a masterstroke and Lipscombe ably uses the format to illustrate and describe not only the major battles but also smaller skirmishes and moments of political importance. The format brings an entirely new dimension to the topic and brings to life not only the sheer volume of engagements, but also the vast geographical extent of the war.

The book is beautifully presented in full colour from the front cover to the back and the maps are perfectly complemented by Lipscombe’s incisive text. It’s clear that his extensive military career has given him an understanding of battle tactics and the complex issues that any commander has to face, but this is no field manual that will leave civilians bewildered. Likewise, Lipscombe manages to untangle the sometimes labyrinthine political struggles that were being fought away from the battlefield, ably guiding the reader through the debating chamber and the field of war alike.

What emerges is a vivid and evocative portrait of a changing world peopled by a cast of well-drawn characters on both sides, from Oliver Cromwell and King Charles I to the commanders, politicians and ordinary soldiers who joined their opposing causes. The English Civil War: An Atlas And Concise History Of The Wars Of The

Three Kingdoms is a fascinating and essential read for scholars, enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Lipscombe’s text is always accessible, clear and engaging and the accompanying maps lend an entirely new dimension to the sprawling and bloody conflict. They’re supported by an invaluable glossary and a comprehensive bibliography should readers wish to dive deeper into this fascinating period of history.

Though The English Civil War certainly carries a fairly hefty price tag at first glance, especially for the more casual historical or geographical enthusiast, it reflects the exceptional production values of this large and impressive volume. This book will doubtless become a cornerstone of Civil War study, and deservedly so. CC