"Peter Gaunt's The English Civil War: The Essential Readings is indeed essential reading for any clear understanding of the causes and consequences of the violent birth of modernity in England. The essays he presents are carefully chosen and represent a generation of the best historical work in an area which has sparked controversy for over 300 years." Professor Victor Stater, Louisiana State University "Gaunt's volume, devoted to the civil war, brings out the complexities, cross-currents and different interpretations of that crisis ... a helpful and reliable guide to the shifting centres of interest in this field." Times Higher Education Supplement "A diverse and thought-provoking read, introduced clearly and effectively by Peter Gaunt." History "A good, structured introduction to the topic ... Gaunt's introductory essays to the book's four sections helpfully guide the unfamiliar reader through the minefield of Civil War historiography." History "An expert selection of articles dating from 1972 to 1994, with a running commentary, the whole intended to convey a clear living picture of the problems of the period and the diversity of the historiography ... a formidable task, triumphantly accomplished." Cromwelliana "Gaunt's introductions are impressively clear and concise. His grasp on the subject is never less than firm, and he successfully locates contributions within their historical and historiographical contexts, providing a valuable guide to a vast body of literature." Jason Peacey, History of Parliament Trust - Canadian Journal of History "The editor of this commendable work is Peter Gaunt, who has judiciously chosen what he considers to be the most revealing and insightful articles that have been published over the last 30 years. Both his selection of articles and authors are keenly rewarding for anyone who wishes to understand in some depth what unfolded in the British Isles during this era. Above all, Gaunt possesses the talent to summarize divergent opinions deftly." Journal of Church and State