Old Ironsides: The Military Biography of Oliver Cromwell

Old Ironsides: The Military Biography of Oliver Cromwell

by Frank Kitson (Author)

Synopsis

Oliver Cromwell was an undistinguished backbench MP in his forties when the English Civil War began. Like many other gentleman farmers, he recruited a regiment and led it to war. However, unlike most of the amateur leaders, he demonstrated a remarkable apptitude for soldiering and rose to become one of Parliament's leading generals. Ultimately he would use his power-base within the army to seize power and rule all Britain. General Sir Frank Kitson's concise military biography reveals how and why Cromwell proved so successful. His accessible narrative provides an excellent potted history of the Civil War, peppered with asides on the practicalities of soldiering in the 17th century.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 240
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Phoenix
Published: 01 Feb 2007

ISBN 10: 0753821850
ISBN 13: 9780753821855
Book Overview: Written by General Kitson, one of the few surviving British generals with extensive combat experience Concise, readable biography of Britain's only military dictator 'This brief, lucid book is the shrewdest and most congenial introduction to its subject that I know' Blair Worden, Guardian 'A wonderfully perceptive study of Cromwell's military talents, engagingly written and cogently argued' Saul David, Daily Telegraph 'This book is mroe than just a military biography. It becomes a military history of the whole civil war' Country Life 'An exceptional book that illuminates a period of Cromwell's life that has often been neglected' Western Daily Press

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Author Bio
Commissioned into the Army soon after the war, Frank Kitson rose to become Commander-in-Chief of UK Land Forces at the end of a 40-year military career. He commanded an armoured division in Germany and deal with civil revolts in Kenya, Malaya, Oman, Cyprus and Northern Ireland. He was Commandant of the School of Infantry and of the Staff College. His previous books include two on Prince Rupert of the Rhine.