The Fiery Spirits

“John Rees offers a novel perspective on the English revolution, foregrounding a small group of influential MPs. He convincingly argues that these “fiery spirits” determined the course of the revolution, bringing about the establishment of the English republic. An essential and engaging read”
—Rachel Hammersley, author of Republicanism: An Introduction

“Outstanding … [The Fiery Spirits] has extra resonance today.”
—Andrew Murray, Morning Star

“The thrust of Rees’s argument is clear: the fiery spirits raised the stakes so high that Parliament was no longer presented with a choice between moderation and radicalism, but between equally intense forms of revolution or reaction.”
—Daniel Brooks, Telegraph

“The book is more than a historical account of how Parliament and the people of this country wrested control from a belligerent and arrogant monarchy and founded a democracy. Fascinating though that story is, what is more important, especially for parliamentarians, is the description of how a group of radical MPs, the “fiery spirits”, could take on the might of a monarchical dictatorship, mobilise the masses of the common people and in doing so transform our society and political system forever.”
—John McDonnell, Politics Home