In this concise and accessible new biography, Martyn Bennett presents a radical new interpretation and examines the life of Oliver Cromwell - one of the most controversial figures in world history.

Martyn Bennett is Reader in History and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the College of Communications, Culture and Education at Nottingham Trent University. His publications include The English Civil War: A Historical Companion (2004), The Civil Wars Experienced (2000) and The Civil Wars of Britain and Ireland, 1637-1651 (1997).

Acknowledgements 1. By Birth a Gentleman, 1599-1617 2. The Chief of Sinners, 1617-1637 3. A Gentleman ... Very Ordinarily Apparelled, 1639-1641 4. My Estate is Little, 1641-1643 5. The Great Agent in this Victory, 1643-1645 6. He Did not Openly Profess what Opinion He was of Himself, 1645-1647 7. I Never in all My Life Saw more Deep Sense, 1647-1649 8. Everyone must Stand or Fall by His own Conscience, 1648-1651 9. Oh, Would I the Wings like a Dove, 1651-1653 10. A Good Constable to Keep the Peace, 1653-1658 Epilogue: My Design is to Make what Haste I can to be Gone. Further Reading