Oliver Cromwell: Commander in Chief

Ronald Hutton is professor of history at Bristol University and a leading authority on the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is the author of nineteen books.

“Hutton concludes that the ‘precocious democracy, liberalism and pluralism’ the British take for granted owe their existence to Cromwell. . . . We owe this remarkable man much more than we realise.”—Simon Heffer, The Telegraph“Hutton is a wise and thoughtful guide through the thickets of the civil war, equally comfortable in the corridors of power and the tumult of a cavalry charge.”—Dominic Sandbrook, Times (UK), “Best History Books of 2024”“Deeply researched and beautifully written, it is. . . immensely intellectually satisfying.”—Andrew Roberts, Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year 2024“A monumental achievement—the first in the great battalion of Cromwellian biographies to escape the long shadow cast by the Carlylean figure standing outside Westminster Hall.”—John Adamson, Literary Review“Vivid, stirring and epic.”—Andrew Lynch, Business Post“A meticulous portrait. . . . Hutton traces how spiritual certainty and institutional ambiguity could coexist, and how one man’s moral compass could, with equal sincerity, justify regicide and repression.”—Brandon Taylor, Renaissance and Reformation/Renaissance et Réforme“We will no doubt see much more of this slippery, evasive Cromwell in a third volume focusing on the Protectorate, established in 1653, from when Cromwell ruled as a king in all but name. I cannot wait.”—Paul Lay, The Oldie“[Hutton’s] version of [his] subject that [he] finally presents is compellingly distinctive and one for our times.”—Marcus Nevitt, The Spectator“Hutton provides a new understanding of how this extraordinary figure was able to navigate the forces ranged against him and rise to the pinnacle of power.”—Military History Matters“Excellent: beautifully written, deeply authoritative and as sharp as a sword—as powerful as a cavalry charge and as exciting for the reader.”—Simon Sebag Montefiore, BBC History, ​Books of the Year"Hail the second volume, long awaited, of Ronald Hutton’s biography of Oliver Cromwell . . . We anxiously await the third volume."—Stewart Rayment, interLib“Hutton writes with [a] . . . mastery of the material.”—Louise Williams, Congregational History Society Magazine“[A] great read and a great achievement. I learned a great deal from it.”—Stephen K Roberts, Cromwelliana“A magnificent achievement. This is the most accessible and authoritative account of its subject. Cromwell emerges as both devious and manipulative.”—Mark Stoyle, author of Soldiers and StrangersPraise for The Making of Oliver Cromwell:  “Sly, vindictive, glory-guzzling and ruthless. . . . Hutton has produced a superb, coruscating, immensely stimulating profile of the rising Cromwell.”—Jessie Childs, Daily Telegraph  “An absorbing story of a man born into relative wealth and security, apparently lacking ambition yet with an impulsive, brooding temperament.”—Jerry Brotton, Financial Times  “Remarkable. . . . The Making of Oliver Cromwell is radical, powerful and persuasive, and it will cause a stir.”—Anna Keay, Literary Review  “The Making of Oliver Cromwell had me spellbound. . . . The product of a lifetime’s study, the book has changed my view of the Lord Protector.”—Andrew Roberts, BBC History Magazine, Books of the Year