The Bottom Line
Pros
- Sharp writing.
- Plenty of source quotation.
- Covers lesser known topics.
Cons
- Confusing for new readers.
- Lacking in discussion.
Description
- 184 pages, Sutton Publishing.
- Two appendices and bibliography.
- ISBN: 0750928689
Guide Review - The Gunpowder Plot by Alan Haynes
The three star rating might imply this book is average, but I arrived at it through a compromise: the content is worth four stars, the organisation one or two. Written in a direct, often cynical, style Haynes places the Gunpowder plot in the full post-English Reformation context I favour, looking at religion, politics and culture. He then explains the events of the plot – emphasising the planned uprising as much as the gunpowder – and the consequences for the plotters. There's little information on the consequences for Catholic England, but Haynes devotes a chapter to the plot's impact on Shakespeare.As far as the key debates are concerned, Haynes rejects the government plot theory without giving much reason why and he states clearly that there was a tunnel and gives no indication many people disagree; I would have liked more material here. However, he does spent time justifying his two other two key assertions: he believes the Monteagle letter was sent by Robert Cecil and he is adamant Father Garnet was guilty of misprision of treason.
The quality of the material and the decision on what to keep and omit for such a short book are generally good, but the organisation hamstrings what otherwise have been an excellent introductory text. There is no clear path through, no carefully thought out structure which ever widens a reader's view, but a muddle which will confuse anyone lacking a prior knowledge; it's as if the editors accidentally cut the book’s own introduction.
