Book excerpt: Background to the English Civil War is a collection of literature that attempts to address various queries about the English civil war. The book is comprised 13 chapters that cover various concerns in the conflict. The text first covers the arrival of the Stuarts, and then proceeds to present materials about Charles I. Chapter 3 tackles the growing tension between the king and the population. The next chapter deals with early stages of the war. Next, the book details the execution of Charles I, the battle that comes after, and the eventual restoration of the Stuarts. The selection will be of great use to readers who have a keen interest in English history.