Memoirs Of A Cavalier

By Daniel Defoe

Book Overview

"Memoirs of a Cavalier" is a historical novel written by Daniel Defoe. The book is presented as the memoirs of an anonymous Englishman who fought as a cavalryman during the tumultuous years of the English Civil War and the subsequent conflicts. The narrative provides a vivid and detailed account of the protagonist's experiences, capturing the political, social, and military landscape of 17th-century England. "Memoirs of a Cavalier" offers readers a glimpse into the complexities of the English Civil War, exploring themes of loyalty, honor, and survival amidst the chaos of war. The book delves into the protagonist's struggles, challenges, and moments of triumph, shedding light on the realities of warfare and its impact on individuals. Defoe's historical accuracy and attention to detail, combined with his compelling storytelling, make "Memoirs of a Cavalier" a significant work in the genre of historical fiction. Overall, "Memoirs of a Cavalier" stands as a testament to Defoe's skill as a writer and his ability to transport readers to a bygone era, immersing them in the world of a soldier's life during a turbulent period of English history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 935859165X
• ISBN13: 9789358591651
• Release Date: July 2023
• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Daniel Defoe

This is obviously one of Defoe's more obscure works. Part I begins in 1630. A young English nobleman, a second son, though his father's favorite, decides to see something of the world and begins traveling on the continent with a friend. He signs on with the troops of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, who's aiding German Protestants against, I think, the Catholics. This ten-year period occurs near the end of the Thirty Years War. My knowledge of seventeenth-century European history is practically nonexistent, so I didn't really understand the issues involved and didn't learn much more from this book.In Part II, our nameless hero returns to England, where the Civil War between the Cavaliers (the king's troops) and the Roundheads (Puritans) is about to get underway. (It was at the end of the Civil War that Charles I was beheaded, after which the Commonwealth took over for eleven years until the restoration of Charles II in 1660.) I thought this part might be more interesting, as I do know something about English history, and it was.Like A JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR, this book, too, has a fictional narrator in a historical setting. If you like Defoe, you will not dislike this book. If you don't like Defoe, this book won't change your mind.