The Rump Parliament 1648–53

'The need for a detailed study of the Rump Parliament has been felt for many years, but the shortage of sources, particularly the complete absence of any parliamentary diaries for the period, has caused historians to shy away from undertaking the task. The appearance of Dr Worden's splendid book has admirably filled the gap. In one of the best studies on the English Revolution to appear in years, he provides a coherent account of the politics of the Rump, a penetrating analysis of its membership, and a sharp revision of many of the stereotypes that have been perpetuated about the parliamentary politics of the period. … It iss political history at its best, closely informed by the social and economic questions raised in recent years, but refreshingly free from the tenuous general these that have bedeviled research in those areas.' Roger Howell, Jr, The American Historical Review
'This, then, is political history at its best – anchored in reality, fascinated by men's motives and doings in affairs, marching surrender to either antiquarianism or pattern-making. To his other virtues as an historian Dr Worden adds high skill as a writer. He can even jest without destroying the atmosphere of the scene, a rare gift. If the book owes its enduring virtues to the author's determination to tell it as it was and to his wilingness to abide by the limitations of the evidence, it should also be recognised that without the deployment of a powerful and disciplined historical imagination Dr Worden would, on such a subject, have written the kind of worthy dull book with which readers of history are only too familiar. As it is, he has written one to fascinate and captivate.' Geoffrey Elton, The Spectator
'Me Worden's excellent book analyses in great detail and with loving care the processes by which England, for the first time in history, was governed by a Parliament - and governed bery successfully.' Christopher Hill, New Statesman