The English Civil War (1642-53) is one of the most crucial periods in British history. Martyn Bennett introduces the reader to the main debates surrounding the Civil War which continue to be debated by historians. He considers the repercussions both on government and religion, of Parliament's failure to secure stability after the Royalist defeat in 1646, and argues that this opened the way for far more radical reforms. The book deals with the military campaigns in all four nations, placing the war in its full British and Irish context.

Part One:The Background,
1. The Anglo-Scottish War and the Short Parliament,
2. The Summer of 1640,
3. The Long Parliament,
4. The Approach of Civil War,
Part Two: Analysis - the English Civil War,
5. Opening Campaigns,
6. Organising the War,
7. Cries For Peace,
8. The War Progresses,
9. Paying For the War,
10.Parliamentary Politics,
Part Three: Analysis - Society in Dysfunction,
11. The Aftermath,
12. The Radical Debate,
13. The Engagement and the Second Civil War
14. Retribution and Revolution
Part Four: Assessment
15. Civil War and Revolution in Britain,
Part Five: Documents
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Martyn Bennett is Head of the History Division in the Department of International Studies at Nottingham Trent University.