The Gunpowder plot: Terror and faith in 1605, Antonia Fraser- A scholarly, yet readable account of a notoriously tangled episode - Rated 
The infamous Gunpowder plot - the doomed attempt to blow up the English Houses of Parliament and King James - is a fascinating episode of British history. Despite its huge significance, and reach into the popular culture of the day (where we still celebrate the delivery of the King every year by burning Guy Fawkes in effigy every November the fifth), most people only know the very bare bones of the events, and can probably only name one conspirator (Fawkes). This is partially due to the distance of years, the necessarily complex and secret nature of the plot and the various cover-ups, both the conspirators and the government of the day.
In this excellent book, Antonia Fraser, one of our leading historical writers, sets out to uncover the roots of the plot, dating back the persecutions of Catholics in the reign of Elizabeth Tudor, describe how the plotters came together and brought their plans to fruition, delve into the mystery surrounding the uncovering of the plot and the roots of the Monteagle letter, and finally discusses the subsequent aftermath and the brutal fates of the plotters.
The tale is very well researched, and an excellent attempt is made to present all the known facts of the case. In some of the more contentious areas, such as the authorship of the fateful Monteagle letter, some interesting and plausible conclusions are presented. The narrative is very clear. By necessity there are a huge number of people involved, Fraser's descriptions bring many of them to life, and she is so clear in her narration that I found I almost never lost track of who is who. Even more interesting, Fraser draws several parallels with modern terrorism in Ireland, in which the struggle between Protestant and Catholic, central to the Gunpowder plot, is perpetuated even today.
All in all, a very clear and readable description of a confused yet fascinating episode in history. Authoritative, yet easily accessible to non-historians, I strongly recommend this account to anyone with an interest in the era. 5 stars.
Harrowing and Gripping - Rated 
As soon as the scene of the day was set, I couldn't put this book down.
I only knew a bit of the gruesome fate that awaited a few of the characters of this real drama, but never before appreciated the extent of it, the accounts remaining, and how many were implicated.
This has enough detail and background, but with minimal patience required, as you are rewarded by constant plunges back to the real tension (and high stakes) that must have existed as this gripping episode in british history unfolded.
Fraser provides a comprehensive understanding of the fate of the Catholic conspirators that emerges through her respect for detail, pace, and moderate 'between-the-lines' (of the numerous biased accounts). She gets under the skin of what most likely occurred.
Literally: convictions, intrigue, friendship, betrayal, love, loyalties, horse chases, a mysterious letter, gun-battles, gunpowder, treason and plot. Then: the horrors awaiting the captives, and those finding themselves involved....and the repercussions for all.
Akin to 'The Crucible' concerning fear and witch hunts, but on a much more intricate scale.
Intelligent commentary and sympathetic character-analysis also involves one in this harrowing account to really 'remember, remember'.
Balanced and well-written account of the Gunpowder plot - Rated
I don't want to repeat all the many reviews already on here, but would like to add that there is a detectable emotional bias on the side of Fraser for the catholics. That doesn't detract from the book in any way (and could we ever elide our own emotions, opinions, bias' from any narrative?) but instead does add an interesting contemporary layer to her story. At the end, after the conspiracy has been discovered, this emotionalism becomes more obvious in the stories of the torture and execution of the conspirators (some of whom, arguably, were not actually involved). Fraser ends by not coming out on the side of the conspirators, but instead evoking the pity that such 'noble' men were forced into such ignoble deeeds: an interesting view, perhaps, given our own more recent experiences of terrorism in London and other places? A worthy book, and well-worth a read, both for its historical story-telling and its more modern narrative sub-text.
An 'Explosive' and Entertaining Account - Rated
As the old saying goes Remember, Remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot. In the present day come November 5th we all look forward to a firework display and a bonfire on which to burn the effigy of someone called Guy Fawkes while enjoying a roast potato, some of mum's parkin and cinder toffee. But who is the man called Guy Fawkes and what did he do that was so bad that we have to burn him every `Bonfire Night.'
Guy Fawkes was born in the city of York, less than 20 miles from where I live. He has always been attributed with the leadership of a group of men who plotted to blow up the Houses of parliament on November 5th 1605. Their motives were both political and religious. Even today many such similar deeds are carried out or attempted in the name of one religion or another. A damning indication that man very rarely learns from his mistakes.
Antonia Fraser is an accomplished and much read historical author with many awards for her writing skills and she has the consummate skill to be able to make the book read like a modern day detective novel, yet in no way prejudicing the factual historical content of the events that led up to the plot being foiled literally at the last moment.
Remember, Remember - Rated
As the old saying goes Remember, Remember the Fifth of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot. In the present day come November 5th we all look forward to a firework display and a bonfire on which to burn the effigy of someone called Guy Fawkes while enjoying a roast potato, some of mum's parkin and cinder toffee. But who is the man called Guy Fawkes and what did he do that was so bad that we have to burn him every `Bonfire Night.'
Guy Fawkes was born in the city of York, less than 20 miles from where I live. He has always been attributed with the leadership of a group of men who plotted to blow up the Houses of parliament on November 5th 1605. Their motives were both political and religious. Even today many such similar deeds are carried out or attempted in the name of one religion or another. A damning indication that man very rarely learns from his mistakes.
Antonia Fraser is an accomplished and much read historical author with many awards for her writing skills and she has the consummate skill to be able to make the book read like a modern day detective novel, yet in no way prejudicing the factual historical content of the events that led up to the plot being foiled literally at the last moment.
|
