The Blood in Winter: England on the Brink of Civil War, 1642 by Jonathan Healey is a great book that comes out today, 9/16/25.

This book really helps try to explain all of the different factors that cane together to bring England to that volatile and unique period that was the civil war. This focuses on those last few months as everything was unraveling between Parliament, the monarchy, and the general public.

The author is well-informed, clearly knows his stuff, and presented it all in a way that us English history fanatics located in the States can really grasp, retain, understand, and ultimately enjoy in the process.

I recommend this for anyone that is fascinated with 17th century England its history.!

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/16/25.

My thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advance copy of this history that looks at the events leading up to the English Civil War, one that brought down a monarchy, changed history and planted seeds of revolt and the end of kings, that still last until this day.

There is a lot of discourse in America that we as a nation are headed for Civil War. Most of this is from people who think that like the Confederacy of old, that war is kind of a lark, or a LARP to many. The good people will shoot some of the people bringing America down, things will go great, and they will be home in time to stream the Dallas Cowboys and eat Hot Pockets. Questions like where will things stream from, how will Hot Pockets get to your home, that might be on the frontlines of a battle. What government will be formed? How and when will things go back to what could be considered adequate, if not normal? These questions never come up. Actions usually start without a solid basis of thought. One side says now, and all others follow, without plan, without form. This book which details the months before the English Civil War, show this. Little things added up to actions that once started took on a life of their own, and ended a monarchy. And planted the seeds for rebellion in the future. The Blood in Winter: England on the Brink of Civil War, 1642 by Jonathan Healey is a history written almost as a modern thriller about men and women caught up in events that seemed to slalom out of control, until only one path, that of civil war, seemed to be a solution.

The book begins with a England at peace with border differences with Scotland being settled, armies disbanded and a Parliment actually in session. The memories of the plague were fading, and while there were many different ideas about politics and religion, things seemed to be calm. Which was not what the King Charles I wanted. Charles wanted revenge for many slights, and he also wanted more power than he was able to wield at the time. Charles believed in the diving right of kings, and not having to listen to others as he ruled as he wanted. And also taxed as he wanted, which is never popular with the people. Added to this was the usual religious strife, a fear of Catholicism that was causing distress among the Scots, and among his own people. The idea of different forms of government were also being discussed, as were questions about how should rule, and how. Cabals were being formed, alliances made and broken depending on the day. Plots were manufactured, or were real. Until finally events started to shift out of control, ad soon the country was at war with itself.

A fascinating book, one that does mirror the current political landscape, except that out politicians seem to want to have a king, and not limit their power. The book really does read like a thriller, introducing its large cast and following them through private conversations, plots, plans, trials, executions and more. Healey is very good writer, able to keep the narrative moving, explaining again the large cast, and not getting lost in little things, but keeping the reader informed and interested. I knew a little about the English Civil War, but I found out so much more that I never knew, or didn't really understand. Healey made everything clear, and even as I knew what was going to happen, had me at the edge of my seat wondering what the result was going to be.

A very good work of history, and even better an exciting read about a time that seems very close to our own, with people who talked a good game, but seemed as surprised as anyone else that things escalated as they did. An excellent gift for those who like history, or just love good books in general.

A fast-paced, suspenseful read, that has you on the edge of your seat, even if you already know the outcome. Being well-written and in an easy-to-read style makes this the perfect introductory book for those who might not already have a broad knowledge of the English Civil War.