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Our First Revolution: The Remarkable British Upheaval That Inspired America's Founding Fathers
The ideals of freedom and individual rights that inspired America’s Founding Fathers did not spring from a vacuum. Along with many other defining principles of our national character, they can be traced directly back to one of the most pivotal events in British history—the late-seventeenth-century uprising known as the Glorious Revolution.
In a work of popular history that stands with recent favorites such as David McCullough’s 1776 and Joseph J. Ellis’s Founding Brothers, Michael Barone brings the story of this unlikely and largely bloodless revolt to American readers and reveals that, without the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution may never have happened.
Unfolding in 1688–1689, Britain’s Glorious Revolution resulted in the hallmarks of representative government, guaranteed liberties, the foundations of global capitalism, and a foreign policy of opposing aggressive foreign powers. But as Barone shows, there was nothing inevitable about the Glorious Revolution. It sprang from the character of the English people and depended on the talents, audacity, and good luck of two men: William of Orange (later William III of England), who launched history’s last successful cross-channel inva sion, and John Churchill, an ancestor of Winston, who commanded the forces of the deposed James II but crossed over to support William one fateful November night.
The story of the Glorious Revolution is a rich and riveting saga of palace intrigue, loyalty and shocking betrayal, and bold political and military strategizing. With narrative drive, a sure command of historical events, and unforgettable portraits of kings, queens, soldiers, parliamentarians, and a large cast of full-blooded characters, Barone takes an episode that has fallen into unjustified obscurity and restores it to the prominence it deserves. Especially now, as we face enemies who wish to rid the world of the lasting legacies of the Glorious Revolution—democracy, individual rights, and capitalism among them—it is vitally important that we understand the origins of these blessings.
From the Hardcover edition.
In a work of popular history that stands with recent favorites such as David McCullough’s 1776 and Joseph J. Ellis’s Founding Brothers, Michael Barone brings the story of this unlikely and largely bloodless revolt to American readers and reveals that, without the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution may never have happened.
Unfolding in 1688–1689, Britain’s Glorious Revolution resulted in the hallmarks of representative government, guaranteed liberties, the foundations of global capitalism, and a foreign policy of opposing aggressive foreign powers. But as Barone shows, there was nothing inevitable about the Glorious Revolution. It sprang from the character of the English people and depended on the talents, audacity, and good luck of two men: William of Orange (later William III of England), who launched history’s last successful cross-channel inva sion, and John Churchill, an ancestor of Winston, who commanded the forces of the deposed James II but crossed over to support William one fateful November night.
The story of the Glorious Revolution is a rich and riveting saga of palace intrigue, loyalty and shocking betrayal, and bold political and military strategizing. With narrative drive, a sure command of historical events, and unforgettable portraits of kings, queens, soldiers, parliamentarians, and a large cast of full-blooded characters, Barone takes an episode that has fallen into unjustified obscurity and restores it to the prominence it deserves. Especially now, as we face enemies who wish to rid the world of the lasting legacies of the Glorious Revolution—democracy, individual rights, and capitalism among them—it is vitally important that we understand the origins of these blessings.
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
62 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Michael Barone
52 books16 followersMichael Barone, a political analyst and journalist, studies politics, American government, and campaigns and elections. The principal coauthor of the annual Almanac of American Politics (National Journal Group), he has written many books on American politics and history. Barone is also a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner. Barone has also written for many major market publications, including The Economist, The New York Times, The Detroit Press, American Enterprise and The Daily Telegraph of London.
He graduated from Harvard University in 1966 and Yale Law School in 1969.
He graduated from Harvard University in 1966 and Yale Law School in 1969.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 1, 2025
The Glorious Revolution that spanned the years 1688-1689 is celebrated in Great Britain for its remarkable transformations and historic precedence, but unfortunately has fallen by the wayside and been left virtually forgotten in the United States. As a political analyst, author Michael Barone explains in his introduction that this was not always the case, as the Founders used many of the changes and ideals brought on by this event to frame the new nation. Bringing about a concise religious and monarchial history of England, Barone touches on the rise of Cromwell, Martin Luther’s revolutionary dissent, and the assorted factions dividing both Protestants and Catholics.
In the opening chapters, Barone recollects the history of the fall and execution of King Charles Stuart I, all the while following the early lives and entanglements of his two sons James and Charles II during the Restoration. As the two brothers shared no love for the Dutch Republic’s role in aiding Cromwell, James—then acting Duke of York—led a resistance against New Amsterdam, capturing the colony and renaming it for the English with the now-famous title of New York. This event would be overshadowed by James’s bold choice of denouncing his Protestant beliefs and instead following Catholicism, which Barone explains was then seen by the majority of Englishmen as a wicked and blasphemous religion.
Delving into a fascinating history of Dutch customs and laws in the seventeenth century, Barone compares England’s values and rights—showing such differences as the Dutch being far ahead in terms of the freedom of speech granted to their vastly superior printing industry. An unlikely friendship begins when England sends John Churchill (Marlborough) to the Hague, where he and William of Orange discuss geopolitics and trade, and Barone suggests this budding alliance would have substantial ramifications further on. As Barone chronicles the Popish Plot of 1678, his writing and level of engagement can at times be lackluster and scattered—especially when moving from one principle figure to the next—with Charles II, James, their sisters, daughters, and William of Orange all constantly being brought forth one after the other.
The rise and early foundations of the respective Whig and Tory parties played a monumental role in the Glorious Revolution, and it’s here that Barone finally begins to weave in the revolutionary values and ideals that were quintessential to such enlightened republics as the United States. With the untimely death of Charles II during his short-lived reign, his brother James would succeed him and—although a Catholic—would vow to uphold the Church of England’s values and the property rights of his countrymen. Nonetheless, James would struggle from the onset of his succession, finding himself at ends with a Tory majority in Parliament, and the (rather fortunate) quashing of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. As he tries to cope with the threat of a prosperous France under the Sun King, and futilely calls for the redaction of the Test Acts and penal laws, other forces are eagerly standing by to ascend to England’s throne:
They urged William to assemble a large naval force and a small army and land in England to intervene against James’s campaign to pack Parliament. They assured him that he would have widespread popular support and that they spoke on behalf of “many of great power and interest.”“Russell warned that the present moment was too good to miss. Even those indifferent in religion had no desire to turn papist, but ‘men of fortune, if they saw no visible prospect, would be governed by their present interest.’The army was as yet too protestant to be a really reliable instrument for James but this too might alter.” In other words, a rebellion must come soon, or the government and army would be taken over by Catholics.
With an invitation from both the “Immortal Seven” and Churchill behind-the-scenes, William of Orange would comply eagerly—flooding England’s streets with a mass of propaganda from the Dutch press, assembling a fleet four times the size of the Spanish Armada, and dwarfing the military maneuvering and overall record set by the Roman Empire. With both of his daughters Anne and Mary in favor of his own downfall—and finding no ally in either Parliament or his long-trusted confidant Churchill—James made the unfortunate decision to flee to France, which was hated by Englishmen and Protestants alike. One of the main themes of Barone’s work is its future ties to the American Revolution, and this is unfortunately subtly played out as a whole—where it’s only near the end of the book that we finally see the Thirteen Colonies showing their respect for William and Mary and that of King and Country in general.
With the final overthrow of James and the ascent of William, the reader will find Barone’s prose and overall level of enticing material lacking, where there were many missed opportunities within the text to capture the moment with excitement and analysis in conjunction with the American Revolution one century later. Indeed, he finally ties this in with the final chapter, noting the Glorious Revolution’s effects on government representation in England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Thirteen Colonies—notably the formation of representative assemblies. When compared to its European counterparts, England’s Toleration Acts were monumental in helping establish the religious liberties that would later be well-known in the colonies, as well as the 1689 Bill of Rights which would carry on over into many amendments of the future US Constitution—not to mention the establishment of a national debt. Barone has written a concise and well-researched history of the Glorious Revolution, though apart from the ending it lacks in both its appeal and relevance to the American Revolution. A helpful cast of characters, Royal Family Tree, maps, and an appendix are provided.
In the opening chapters, Barone recollects the history of the fall and execution of King Charles Stuart I, all the while following the early lives and entanglements of his two sons James and Charles II during the Restoration. As the two brothers shared no love for the Dutch Republic’s role in aiding Cromwell, James—then acting Duke of York—led a resistance against New Amsterdam, capturing the colony and renaming it for the English with the now-famous title of New York. This event would be overshadowed by James’s bold choice of denouncing his Protestant beliefs and instead following Catholicism, which Barone explains was then seen by the majority of Englishmen as a wicked and blasphemous religion.
Delving into a fascinating history of Dutch customs and laws in the seventeenth century, Barone compares England’s values and rights—showing such differences as the Dutch being far ahead in terms of the freedom of speech granted to their vastly superior printing industry. An unlikely friendship begins when England sends John Churchill (Marlborough) to the Hague, where he and William of Orange discuss geopolitics and trade, and Barone suggests this budding alliance would have substantial ramifications further on. As Barone chronicles the Popish Plot of 1678, his writing and level of engagement can at times be lackluster and scattered—especially when moving from one principle figure to the next—with Charles II, James, their sisters, daughters, and William of Orange all constantly being brought forth one after the other.
The rise and early foundations of the respective Whig and Tory parties played a monumental role in the Glorious Revolution, and it’s here that Barone finally begins to weave in the revolutionary values and ideals that were quintessential to such enlightened republics as the United States. With the untimely death of Charles II during his short-lived reign, his brother James would succeed him and—although a Catholic—would vow to uphold the Church of England’s values and the property rights of his countrymen. Nonetheless, James would struggle from the onset of his succession, finding himself at ends with a Tory majority in Parliament, and the (rather fortunate) quashing of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. As he tries to cope with the threat of a prosperous France under the Sun King, and futilely calls for the redaction of the Test Acts and penal laws, other forces are eagerly standing by to ascend to England’s throne:
They urged William to assemble a large naval force and a small army and land in England to intervene against James’s campaign to pack Parliament. They assured him that he would have widespread popular support and that they spoke on behalf of “many of great power and interest.”“Russell warned that the present moment was too good to miss. Even those indifferent in religion had no desire to turn papist, but ‘men of fortune, if they saw no visible prospect, would be governed by their present interest.’The army was as yet too protestant to be a really reliable instrument for James but this too might alter.” In other words, a rebellion must come soon, or the government and army would be taken over by Catholics.
With an invitation from both the “Immortal Seven” and Churchill behind-the-scenes, William of Orange would comply eagerly—flooding England’s streets with a mass of propaganda from the Dutch press, assembling a fleet four times the size of the Spanish Armada, and dwarfing the military maneuvering and overall record set by the Roman Empire. With both of his daughters Anne and Mary in favor of his own downfall—and finding no ally in either Parliament or his long-trusted confidant Churchill—James made the unfortunate decision to flee to France, which was hated by Englishmen and Protestants alike. One of the main themes of Barone’s work is its future ties to the American Revolution, and this is unfortunately subtly played out as a whole—where it’s only near the end of the book that we finally see the Thirteen Colonies showing their respect for William and Mary and that of King and Country in general.
With the final overthrow of James and the ascent of William, the reader will find Barone’s prose and overall level of enticing material lacking, where there were many missed opportunities within the text to capture the moment with excitement and analysis in conjunction with the American Revolution one century later. Indeed, he finally ties this in with the final chapter, noting the Glorious Revolution’s effects on government representation in England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Thirteen Colonies—notably the formation of representative assemblies. When compared to its European counterparts, England’s Toleration Acts were monumental in helping establish the religious liberties that would later be well-known in the colonies, as well as the 1689 Bill of Rights which would carry on over into many amendments of the future US Constitution—not to mention the establishment of a national debt. Barone has written a concise and well-researched history of the Glorious Revolution, though apart from the ending it lacks in both its appeal and relevance to the American Revolution. A helpful cast of characters, Royal Family Tree, maps, and an appendix are provided.
December 21, 2009
A 243-page book that would have worked better if it had been under 200 pages long; Barone is very repetitive and makes the same point several times over, often using the same words.
Disappointed that the book did not make a better attempt at linking the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 with the American Revolution nearly a century later. The premise that the political changes that preceded and followed William III's rise to power in England were a direct precedent to the American Revolution nearly a century later (hence the title) is a central thesis of the book, but he only really tries to make the case in the final (short) chapter.
Almost all of the material covers events in England, Holland, France and the rest of Europe, with very little attention to attitudes and events in the Colonies. How did the political debate impact New England and the other colonies? How much attention did the colonies pay to event leading up to William's invasion of England? Was public opinion divided into Tory and Whig factions in the Colonies. HOw did these debates impact the subsequent debate leading up to the American Revolution? All interesting issues that the author fails to address.
At least on glaring mistake; on page 20 Barone incorrectly states that John Winthrop is governor of Connecticut, not Massachusetts. I would expect better, especially from a book that purports to discuss thel ink between the Glorious Revolution and the English colonies in North America.
Disappointed that the book did not make a better attempt at linking the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 with the American Revolution nearly a century later. The premise that the political changes that preceded and followed William III's rise to power in England were a direct precedent to the American Revolution nearly a century later (hence the title) is a central thesis of the book, but he only really tries to make the case in the final (short) chapter.
Almost all of the material covers events in England, Holland, France and the rest of Europe, with very little attention to attitudes and events in the Colonies. How did the political debate impact New England and the other colonies? How much attention did the colonies pay to event leading up to William's invasion of England? Was public opinion divided into Tory and Whig factions in the Colonies. HOw did these debates impact the subsequent debate leading up to the American Revolution? All interesting issues that the author fails to address.
At least on glaring mistake; on page 20 Barone incorrectly states that John Winthrop is governor of Connecticut, not Massachusetts. I would expect better, especially from a book that purports to discuss thel ink between the Glorious Revolution and the English colonies in North America.
August 31, 2008
I have read a lot of books on English monarchy and this is a first that really showed how intricately moving within the monarchy and British public the movements that brought the importance of William and Mary and James II and Charles II to the future of the United States and around the world. This was during the time period of 1680- 1689. Barone makes his characters interesting, his subject matter understandable, and I got so hooked I want to go back and read the rest of his books.....
December 14, 2011
(Original review: http://hill-kleerup.org/blog/2008/06/...)
Overall: Good
Writing: Fair
Info: Good
Re-Readability: Fair
Audio: Good
The book’s subtitle is, “The Remarkable British Upheaval that Inspired America’s Founding Fathers.” Barone takes on a subject well-known to most Brits, but nearly unknown to Americans — the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688-89, where the autocratic “divine right” James II was ousted by British lords and a Dutch invasion by William of Orange (whose wife, Mary, was next in line for the throne). Barone’s thesis is that the nature of this upheaval, of William, and of the aftermath, played a profound role not only in British history, but in the rebellion of the American colonies some ninety years later.
Writing: This is Old School history — lots of dates, lots of names, lots of recaps, lots of facts and figures — and probably not as much personality explanations as the casual history buff would like. I know a lot more about the whole thing than I did before I listened to this audiobook — but while I know what people did, I have less understanding of why they did it.
Part of that may be the clumsiness (in a facts-and-figures setting) of the audiobook format. Part of it is the cast of hundreds spanning across fifty-odd years (at least) of British/Dutch/French history. But part of it is just that the book is often more fact-driven than interpretation-driven.
Info: Barone takes us from the reign of Charles II after the fall of the Cromwellian revolutionary republic, through his successor James II — an autocrat who was determined to uphold and promote Catholicism in England, Scotland and Ireland — through the reign of his usuper, William of Orange. How William moved from English opponent, to ally, to invader and king, how the various factions in England let it happen, how James’ own actions sorely backfired on him, and the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution, is all spelled out quite cleanly.
Religion was huge. Part of it was just factional labeling, making an Us vs Them setup. But the impact of the various religions factions — Catholics, Anglicans, and Dissenters (mostly Presbyterian, but the term applying to anyone who was an English Protestant but not a member of the Church of England) — was huge. Catholics were hated and feared by large swaths of the population, for reasons both concrete (looking at Tudor-Stuart history, not to mention the autocratically Catholic — if sometimes anti-Papal — nature of England’s enemy, France) and spurious (endless rumors of plots by various Catholic factions). A huge part of what goes on during Charles II’s reign is the question of whether the converted Catholic James II can be allowed to be made king — and, once he acquires the throne, his efforts to either impose Catholic rule, or impose tolerance, by dispensing with various Parliamentary acts restricting civil and military posts to Anglicans and packing same with Catholics. William, coming in as neither an Anglican or a Catholic, is still welcomed by a Church of England establishment that fears and resents James.
The essential thesis of the book — though only the last chapter really spells it out — is that the Glorious Revolution (a largely bloodless coup, though accompanied by Dutch troops) played a profound role in the later American revolution. Barone posits that the ouster of James II spelled a radical divergence from the Continent (where autocratic kings were largely marginalizing or doing away with representative councils) and from the Stuart kings (who either ruled for lengthy periods of time without Parliament in session, or else packed/corrupted elections to get only Tory crown loyalists elected), and ushered in a government that followed a civil contract with the king, rather than a divine mandate. Under William — and thereafter — the king’s powers were circumscribed by the Parliament (elected Commons and peer Lords), and the idea of both representative government and guaranteed liberties that were established for England became a huge grievance for the American colonists in the mid-late 18th Century.
Indeed, binding the two above points together, the eventual Constitutional principles of the new United States preventing an established church by state or federal government, as well as forbidding any religious test for office, suddenly becomes far more clear in its intent and motivation.
Re-Readability: The information, once passed on, makes delving through lengthy lists of names, dates, amounts, and other columnar facts a lot less appealing. I don’t see listening to this again (though I don’t regret listening to it once).
Audio: The audio quality of this Tantor unabridged edition is excellent. Stephen Hoye narrates with authority and clarity, though even he struggles with some of the facts-and-figures-rich areas of the book.
Overall: A very informative description of an even some in the US have heard of, but few know much about. Barone establishes and appears to prove his thesis, and it’s a very illuminating examination of a precursor to much of what we consider American values today.
Overall: Good
Writing: Fair
Info: Good
Re-Readability: Fair
Audio: Good
The book’s subtitle is, “The Remarkable British Upheaval that Inspired America’s Founding Fathers.” Barone takes on a subject well-known to most Brits, but nearly unknown to Americans — the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688-89, where the autocratic “divine right” James II was ousted by British lords and a Dutch invasion by William of Orange (whose wife, Mary, was next in line for the throne). Barone’s thesis is that the nature of this upheaval, of William, and of the aftermath, played a profound role not only in British history, but in the rebellion of the American colonies some ninety years later.
Writing: This is Old School history — lots of dates, lots of names, lots of recaps, lots of facts and figures — and probably not as much personality explanations as the casual history buff would like. I know a lot more about the whole thing than I did before I listened to this audiobook — but while I know what people did, I have less understanding of why they did it.
Part of that may be the clumsiness (in a facts-and-figures setting) of the audiobook format. Part of it is the cast of hundreds spanning across fifty-odd years (at least) of British/Dutch/French history. But part of it is just that the book is often more fact-driven than interpretation-driven.
Info: Barone takes us from the reign of Charles II after the fall of the Cromwellian revolutionary republic, through his successor James II — an autocrat who was determined to uphold and promote Catholicism in England, Scotland and Ireland — through the reign of his usuper, William of Orange. How William moved from English opponent, to ally, to invader and king, how the various factions in England let it happen, how James’ own actions sorely backfired on him, and the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution, is all spelled out quite cleanly.
Religion was huge. Part of it was just factional labeling, making an Us vs Them setup. But the impact of the various religions factions — Catholics, Anglicans, and Dissenters (mostly Presbyterian, but the term applying to anyone who was an English Protestant but not a member of the Church of England) — was huge. Catholics were hated and feared by large swaths of the population, for reasons both concrete (looking at Tudor-Stuart history, not to mention the autocratically Catholic — if sometimes anti-Papal — nature of England’s enemy, France) and spurious (endless rumors of plots by various Catholic factions). A huge part of what goes on during Charles II’s reign is the question of whether the converted Catholic James II can be allowed to be made king — and, once he acquires the throne, his efforts to either impose Catholic rule, or impose tolerance, by dispensing with various Parliamentary acts restricting civil and military posts to Anglicans and packing same with Catholics. William, coming in as neither an Anglican or a Catholic, is still welcomed by a Church of England establishment that fears and resents James.
The essential thesis of the book — though only the last chapter really spells it out — is that the Glorious Revolution (a largely bloodless coup, though accompanied by Dutch troops) played a profound role in the later American revolution. Barone posits that the ouster of James II spelled a radical divergence from the Continent (where autocratic kings were largely marginalizing or doing away with representative councils) and from the Stuart kings (who either ruled for lengthy periods of time without Parliament in session, or else packed/corrupted elections to get only Tory crown loyalists elected), and ushered in a government that followed a civil contract with the king, rather than a divine mandate. Under William — and thereafter — the king’s powers were circumscribed by the Parliament (elected Commons and peer Lords), and the idea of both representative government and guaranteed liberties that were established for England became a huge grievance for the American colonists in the mid-late 18th Century.
Indeed, binding the two above points together, the eventual Constitutional principles of the new United States preventing an established church by state or federal government, as well as forbidding any religious test for office, suddenly becomes far more clear in its intent and motivation.
Re-Readability: The information, once passed on, makes delving through lengthy lists of names, dates, amounts, and other columnar facts a lot less appealing. I don’t see listening to this again (though I don’t regret listening to it once).
Audio: The audio quality of this Tantor unabridged edition is excellent. Stephen Hoye narrates with authority and clarity, though even he struggles with some of the facts-and-figures-rich areas of the book.
Overall: A very informative description of an even some in the US have heard of, but few know much about. Barone establishes and appears to prove his thesis, and it’s a very illuminating examination of a precursor to much of what we consider American values today.
September 30, 2008
Barone turns his eye for political machinations on the events of 1688-89, the "Glorious Revolution." He convincingly explores how those fortuitous events have reverberations down to the present day and were key to the development of British and American politics.
This was a historical event for which I had only the barest outline of knowledge, and I enjoyed very much learning the details. Barone skillfully explores the character of William of Orange, the main character of this epoch, as well as the various factors, personalities, and events that made it all happen.
Critically, I feel that the pacing was uneven and the narrative lagged in places. And Barone made no secret for how the end would turn out--I feel a writer with more of a novelist's bent might have infused the narrative with more suspense--would William succeed?
This was a historical event for which I had only the barest outline of knowledge, and I enjoyed very much learning the details. Barone skillfully explores the character of William of Orange, the main character of this epoch, as well as the various factors, personalities, and events that made it all happen.
Critically, I feel that the pacing was uneven and the narrative lagged in places. And Barone made no secret for how the end would turn out--I feel a writer with more of a novelist's bent might have infused the narrative with more suspense--would William succeed?
September 9, 2009
I had a hard time getting into this book - at least once every few pages the author would say something that seemed to contradict something he had said in a previous paragraph. I'm too anal to let that sort of thing go, so I'd spend 20 minutes going word by word through the seeming contradictions until I could make sense of them. I've only gotten to page 15, but I'm exhausted and can't work up any enthusiasm to pick this book up anymore. On to lighter reading for now...
August 12, 2012
This is an excellent history of the Glorious Revolution and its effect on our own American Revolution in general and the American Bill of rights specifically. I saw Michael Barone’s book tour on the Daily Show. I was unsure if it would live up to the sales pitch, but it did. If you want to know where our Founding Fathers came up with some of the ideals that became the foundation of our liberty, check out this book.
July 28, 2018
Another great book down. The Glorious Revolution spawned an age of tumultuous change across the globe. It started in 1688 with the downfall of the Catholic James II being replaced by Mary II and William III. The ideas and more importantly the bills of rights spawned revolutionary thinkers within thirteen colonies across the sea. Revolution swept the English out of America; the first major defeat for England and the rise of an experiment which continues to this day. Later, a French Republic was born with the downfall of Marie Antoinette and Louis...but this one created Emperor Napoleon. Back to the book though. The rise of James II from Charles II created unrest. A Catholic monarch caused fear and concern for the Protestants. Even more so when James began pushing the Protestants out of the political and military positions and replaced them with the eager Catholics. News of unrest spread to the Netherlands where William, the Stadtholder, had a claim to the throne through his wife Mary. As the unease moved to potential revolt, many English invited William and Mary to intervene militarily. Yet William had to watch Louis the XIV, a Monarch the Dutch had been at war with for a long time. Opportunity presented itself when Louis turned his eyes to the East and committed his army against the Austrians. A Dutch invasion fleet embarked thousands and landed unopposed upon English soil. James also had a standing army. Yet his army melted away as regiment after regiment and aristocrat after aristocrat deserted the King's standard. James II was forced to flee, and William allowed him to do it so he could easily and effortlessly occupy the throne.
Even though we view this story as a Protestant versus Catholic saga, it was much more. William in reality wanted English power on his side for his war against France. It just happened that the Stuart line and James's poor government gave him just that. The Glorious Revolution caused another fact of history, England was now a world power and not just a few islands across the Channel. But that is another story.
Even though we view this story as a Protestant versus Catholic saga, it was much more. William in reality wanted English power on his side for his war against France. It just happened that the Stuart line and James's poor government gave him just that. The Glorious Revolution caused another fact of history, England was now a world power and not just a few islands across the Channel. But that is another story.
November 30, 2018
Learned a lot about the “Glorious Revolution”. It always seemed that William and Mary were always beloved in England, but that was not entirely accurate. Still, for most of England, it didn’t matter so long as the royals weren’t Catholic. The author offers a chronological breakout of the events from the death of Charles II to the start of George I. England was not too far from another civil war, but they managed to avoid major conflict. The author highlights those facts, but does offer critical balance about both James II and William III. Still, the conclusion doesn’t offer as much tie in with the title that The Glorious Revolution as could be hoped for in a work like this. The reader is adequate. You could learn a lot of facts, but it does quite achieve what the title promises.
December 23, 2017
(2.5 stars)
I recently finished listening to an audio course on British history that ran through the end of Queen Anne's reign (1715). One of the more interesting events to me was the so-called Glorious Revolution of 1688, in which the Catholic King James II was replaced by the Protestant William of Orange (King William III), who was basically implored by a number of English Lords to come over from the Netherlands and help them oust James. I picked up this book by Michael Barone, hoping to get a better understanding of how this came about, and - particularly given the book's subtitle - of how the Parliamentary assertion of rights that followed James's ouster influenced America's founding fathers in their own revolution less than a century later. It's a good thesis, and I found the book fairly informative, but it wasn't a great read. In his opening and concluding chapters Barone provides a neat summary of the Glorious Revolution and its significance for the colonial American revolutionaries, but he does very little in the main part of the book to expand on that. And, unfortunately, historical narrative is not one of Barone's strengths; the story grows a bit tedious at times, and while Barone tries to make William an interesting and important character, many of the other key historical figures he writes about come across as pretty unmemorable.
I recently finished listening to an audio course on British history that ran through the end of Queen Anne's reign (1715). One of the more interesting events to me was the so-called Glorious Revolution of 1688, in which the Catholic King James II was replaced by the Protestant William of Orange (King William III), who was basically implored by a number of English Lords to come over from the Netherlands and help them oust James. I picked up this book by Michael Barone, hoping to get a better understanding of how this came about, and - particularly given the book's subtitle - of how the Parliamentary assertion of rights that followed James's ouster influenced America's founding fathers in their own revolution less than a century later. It's a good thesis, and I found the book fairly informative, but it wasn't a great read. In his opening and concluding chapters Barone provides a neat summary of the Glorious Revolution and its significance for the colonial American revolutionaries, but he does very little in the main part of the book to expand on that. And, unfortunately, historical narrative is not one of Barone's strengths; the story grows a bit tedious at times, and while Barone tries to make William an interesting and important character, many of the other key historical figures he writes about come across as pretty unmemorable.
June 29, 2025
Felt dense to get through the history, but the main points are in the conclusion Revolutionary Reverberations. The Glorious Revolution changed the course of history in favor of representative government as opposed to the then ascendant absolute monarchy if the Stuarts had succeeded and one that sought to balance a dominant power in Europe with others rather than focus on internal control and expansion. But in the context of the time it wasn’t as simple as freedom vs tyranny, as the Jacobites wished greater tolerance for Catholics, and even dissenter protestants, and better treatment of Ireland and neither side would support free trade which wouldn’t come well into the 19th century.
The Glorious Revolution directly impacted the American Revolution as well ideologically, institutionally, and in turning Britain’s foreign policy against France by balance of power politics on the continent, rather than focusing internally on the British isles and colonies. Had James II remained on the throne the colonies may not have continued the experiment in representative government, evidenced by the brief Dominion of New England, been inspired by radical Whig principles, or been able to seek the assistance of France and other nations Netherlands and Spain for assistance. A major part of the story is William of Orange’s political talents as well as Lord Churchill’s in manipulating public opinion with the printed word to get England on his side and against France.
The major lessons for absolutists are if you want to rule without parliament or with their approval you’d better have your own wealth and not have to rely on taxation, or else practice fiscal restraint and not engage in military adventurism; and if you exercise royal prerogative you’d better have public support or at least political prudence, of which James had neither. James’ attempts to expand toleration of Catholics who were a minority and annul the Test Acts for public office at once alienated the Anglican establishment and could not rely on dissenter protestants. The Stuart’s attempts to pack parliament with Tories succeeded under Charles II and may have continued had James remained on the throne but he had a more effective rival in William. Paradoxically absolute rule relies more on self-restraint and personal popularity than representative government, wherein people demand redress of grievances and concessions for their support.
A question I have is whether the Glorious Revolution was truly a conservative revolution that in Burke’s words was a revolution not made but prevented or whether England was put on the path to a de facto democracy. In retrospect I believe the latter since the settlement established parliament’s role in deciding hereditary secession to prevent a Catholic heir and ever since the role of parliament has expanded and the regal power receded as Anne, the last Stuart, was the last monarch to use the veto power. The case for a conservative revolution at least for the time is in preserving the institutions of England rather than attempt another republic and in defending the ‘ancient rights of the English’ and the more recent protestant Church of England. James did effectively abdicate when he threw his royal seal into the river Thames and fled to France with William’s tacit approval, even if he and his heir did attempt to regain the throne unsuccessfully. Through Mary William did have some hereditary claim to the throne and the Hanoverian ascension was a sort of soft reset of the monarchy after Anne died childless. The Jacobite movement who wanted to restore James remained viable as late as 1745 however, demonstrating its resilience admist the unpopularity and weaker claims of hereditary legitimacy of the Hanoevers. Conservative revolution may be appropriate if meant preserving the de jure institutions by gradual reform not violent revolution but which nonetheless led to a different kind of government, more bourgeois and interventionist.
The Glorious Revolution directly impacted the American Revolution as well ideologically, institutionally, and in turning Britain’s foreign policy against France by balance of power politics on the continent, rather than focusing internally on the British isles and colonies. Had James II remained on the throne the colonies may not have continued the experiment in representative government, evidenced by the brief Dominion of New England, been inspired by radical Whig principles, or been able to seek the assistance of France and other nations Netherlands and Spain for assistance. A major part of the story is William of Orange’s political talents as well as Lord Churchill’s in manipulating public opinion with the printed word to get England on his side and against France.
The major lessons for absolutists are if you want to rule without parliament or with their approval you’d better have your own wealth and not have to rely on taxation, or else practice fiscal restraint and not engage in military adventurism; and if you exercise royal prerogative you’d better have public support or at least political prudence, of which James had neither. James’ attempts to expand toleration of Catholics who were a minority and annul the Test Acts for public office at once alienated the Anglican establishment and could not rely on dissenter protestants. The Stuart’s attempts to pack parliament with Tories succeeded under Charles II and may have continued had James remained on the throne but he had a more effective rival in William. Paradoxically absolute rule relies more on self-restraint and personal popularity than representative government, wherein people demand redress of grievances and concessions for their support.
A question I have is whether the Glorious Revolution was truly a conservative revolution that in Burke’s words was a revolution not made but prevented or whether England was put on the path to a de facto democracy. In retrospect I believe the latter since the settlement established parliament’s role in deciding hereditary secession to prevent a Catholic heir and ever since the role of parliament has expanded and the regal power receded as Anne, the last Stuart, was the last monarch to use the veto power. The case for a conservative revolution at least for the time is in preserving the institutions of England rather than attempt another republic and in defending the ‘ancient rights of the English’ and the more recent protestant Church of England. James did effectively abdicate when he threw his royal seal into the river Thames and fled to France with William’s tacit approval, even if he and his heir did attempt to regain the throne unsuccessfully. Through Mary William did have some hereditary claim to the throne and the Hanoverian ascension was a sort of soft reset of the monarchy after Anne died childless. The Jacobite movement who wanted to restore James remained viable as late as 1745 however, demonstrating its resilience admist the unpopularity and weaker claims of hereditary legitimacy of the Hanoevers. Conservative revolution may be appropriate if meant preserving the de jure institutions by gradual reform not violent revolution but which nonetheless led to a different kind of government, more bourgeois and interventionist.
January 17, 2015
Incredibly interest story of how Englishmen became the freest people on earth. How did their constitution come about? Through a lot of struggle over a long time between powerful interests. How those powerful people challenged each other and fought for dominance led to this “first” revolution – an invitation to be invaded by William and Mary, with their recognition of certain constitutional arrangements. This was part of the long constitutional history that Americans inherited and used in their own founding. Very good book.
April 28, 2020
Excellent book on the "Glorious," 1688 revolution in England that bloodlessly deposed the Catholic James II for the Protestant William of Orange. It also brought to prominence Sir John Churchill, which of course had major historical ramifications some 250 years later. For Americans like me, I believe it is important to verse ourselves as well in the history of Europe and especially England rather than remain so American-centric-- their history, their philosophy, their culture, ultimately birthed ours, and we ignore it at our peril.
February 14, 2010
History at its best. When I first read the title to this book I couldn't help but thinking, "huh." Once I started the book though I was able to connect the dots and I learned a ton of history. Anytime reading about European roalty it can be enormously confusing, but Barone walks us through the roalty labyrinth with clarity. I also like reading Barone's weekly article and blog writing. Keen insight into to todays political environment.
December 11, 2015
This is based upon the audio download from [www.audible.com].
Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
Ugh...what can I say? Maybe its because I have no frame of reference on European history but I could not get into this one. I never understood where the revolution was. It will be interesting to see reviews from others who know European history to see if it was just me.
Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
Ugh...what can I say? Maybe its because I have no frame of reference on European history but I could not get into this one. I never understood where the revolution was. It will be interesting to see reviews from others who know European history to see if it was just me.
October 19, 2014
Did not finish. See Pflentov's 12/16/09 review.
Read
July 28, 2012Terribly boring recounting of the British "Glorious Revolution" which inspired in part the American Revolution. I could not get past a few pages of this tediously detailed work.
May 26, 2010
A boring professorial book with little or no new information
February 16, 2019
The British Glorious Revolution of 1688 is a profoundly important historical event, that most Americans (at least) barely know about. Even the name is deceiving: it wasn't a revolution, it was an invasion. You know how you'll hear in history class that no one has successfully invaded Britain since the Normans in 1066? Not true. Another William, William of Orange, invaded in 1688 and ousted James II, the legal monarch. And in so doing, he accidentally set the stage for modern representative government.
Parliament existed before 1688, and there were limits to royal power in Britain. But that had been true in a lot of places, until absolutism began making headway in the 16th Century. (The book makes out like absolutism had essentially won, except in Holland and England, but that's not really true. Still, it was on the move.) King James II was trying to maneuver things to make Parliament more pliable, until his brother-in-law William brought over a massive army. And the British people, for the most part, made no effort to defend their king from this invader. Why? Because James was a Catholic, and William was a Protestant. That's right, kids. A lot of the liberties we take for granted today came as a result of British people hating Catholics so much that they'd rather have had a foreign king (who was even a Protestant of a different flavor). Before they installed William (and his wife Mary, daughter of James II) as king and queen, they put in place a lot of limits to their power so that they could be sure that no future sovereign, should he or she convert to Catholicism, could try to allow Catholics to have power in the nation.
This book does a reasonable job of telling the story, and describing how the theories of government that were developed at the time ended up influencing North American revolutionaries a hundred years later. Near the end it gets a little preachy, and gives the author's view of modern politics free rein (which lost it a star). But it nonetheless got its job done.
Parliament existed before 1688, and there were limits to royal power in Britain. But that had been true in a lot of places, until absolutism began making headway in the 16th Century. (The book makes out like absolutism had essentially won, except in Holland and England, but that's not really true. Still, it was on the move.) King James II was trying to maneuver things to make Parliament more pliable, until his brother-in-law William brought over a massive army. And the British people, for the most part, made no effort to defend their king from this invader. Why? Because James was a Catholic, and William was a Protestant. That's right, kids. A lot of the liberties we take for granted today came as a result of British people hating Catholics so much that they'd rather have had a foreign king (who was even a Protestant of a different flavor). Before they installed William (and his wife Mary, daughter of James II) as king and queen, they put in place a lot of limits to their power so that they could be sure that no future sovereign, should he or she convert to Catholicism, could try to allow Catholics to have power in the nation.
This book does a reasonable job of telling the story, and describing how the theories of government that were developed at the time ended up influencing North American revolutionaries a hundred years later. Near the end it gets a little preachy, and gives the author's view of modern politics free rein (which lost it a star). But it nonetheless got its job done.
September 23, 2020
This book caught my eye because I love reading about the American Revolution, and I thought this would help me to understand better how it came about. The book does succeeds in that regard; it was enlightening to read about how important foundational principles and institutions of the American Revolution were inspired by the "Glorious Revolution" in Britain. The Bill of Rights in the US was inspired by the Bill of Rights in 1689. Financing a national debt, individual rights, no taxation without representation, separation of church and state seem to have been inspired by what happened in England in 1688-9.
I went into reading this book having very little knowledge of British history. Usually my eyes glaze over at any news story of British royalty, and the only royalty figure I have any knowledge of is George III, the king who of course spontaneously broke into music whenever a major event happened in early American history. I found most of this book very difficult to read because of limitations in my knowledge. Lots of British place names and titles and concepts and historical characters that were referenced with little explanation, and i found i had to keep rereading certain paragraphs as my attention repeatedly drifted away. One who goes in with more knowledge than me probably would not have that problem. I personally would have wished for the first two hundred or so pages to be condensed into about 20 pages. All the action and intrigue occurred when William the Orange started planning his invasion which started in the last three chapters or so. If you are to read this with an eye to understanding American history rather than British history, just read the last two chapters, or even just the concluding chapter.
I went into reading this book having very little knowledge of British history. Usually my eyes glaze over at any news story of British royalty, and the only royalty figure I have any knowledge of is George III, the king who of course spontaneously broke into music whenever a major event happened in early American history. I found most of this book very difficult to read because of limitations in my knowledge. Lots of British place names and titles and concepts and historical characters that were referenced with little explanation, and i found i had to keep rereading certain paragraphs as my attention repeatedly drifted away. One who goes in with more knowledge than me probably would not have that problem. I personally would have wished for the first two hundred or so pages to be condensed into about 20 pages. All the action and intrigue occurred when William the Orange started planning his invasion which started in the last three chapters or so. If you are to read this with an eye to understanding American history rather than British history, just read the last two chapters, or even just the concluding chapter.
March 3, 2022
Our First Revolution may tell you more than you care to know about the so-called Glorious Revolution in England in 1688-89.
Barone offers obviously well-researched detail about the politics and civil warfare and external conflicts that engaged the English and transformed their monarchies and parliaments in the 17th century.
He reinforces the argument that the American colonists who led the American Revolution were intensely aware of the history of British politics and governance. Indeed, most of the so-called Founding Fathers thought of themselves as British subjects at the time of the American Revolution, and they were deep readers in the writings of British political philosophers and British historians.
Barone rather casually and repeatedly uses phrases like “representative government” and “representative democracy” and “individual rights” without qualifying their meaning by specific descriptions of the extremely limited voting rights of Englishmen in the 17th and 18th centuries. Barone seems to loosely use the word “capitalism” to describe the militaristic and mercantilist monopolies and predations that were promoted by and supported the British government and the political power of the elites.
Our First Revolution is history written with visible modern prejudices and no apparent attempt to describe the bitter realities of the past.
Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
www.richardsubber.com
Barone offers obviously well-researched detail about the politics and civil warfare and external conflicts that engaged the English and transformed their monarchies and parliaments in the 17th century.
He reinforces the argument that the American colonists who led the American Revolution were intensely aware of the history of British politics and governance. Indeed, most of the so-called Founding Fathers thought of themselves as British subjects at the time of the American Revolution, and they were deep readers in the writings of British political philosophers and British historians.
Barone rather casually and repeatedly uses phrases like “representative government” and “representative democracy” and “individual rights” without qualifying their meaning by specific descriptions of the extremely limited voting rights of Englishmen in the 17th and 18th centuries. Barone seems to loosely use the word “capitalism” to describe the militaristic and mercantilist monopolies and predations that were promoted by and supported the British government and the political power of the elites.
Our First Revolution is history written with visible modern prejudices and no apparent attempt to describe the bitter realities of the past.
Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
www.richardsubber.com
October 22, 2017
Michael Barone, a US political analyst and expert on elections, looks at the English Glorious Revolution of 1688 from a perspective that regards it as a precursor to our own Revolution nearly a century later. It's a persuasive argument, akin to that which analyzes the American Revolution as a "Second English Civil War,"and it provides a useful perspective on own own political tendencies. Of particular interest is the English Bill of Rights as an inspiration for our own Bill of Rights: readers might be surprised to learn the right to bear arms, enshrined in our own Second Amendment, was included in the English Bill of Rights, albeit restricted to Protestants, and not considered a "natural right," unlike in America.
Barone tells the story well, starting with the rise of King James II, the politics that lead to his overthrow in the Glorious Revolution, and the accession of the Dutch William of Orange as King William III. However, the book can be a bit dry at times as Barone, an elections specialist, looks at the politics of parliamentary elections in the period to analyze the political trends leading up to James II's overthrow. If you have an interest in the Glorious Revolution and its influence on our own birth, "Our First Revolution" is well-worth your time.
Barone tells the story well, starting with the rise of King James II, the politics that lead to his overthrow in the Glorious Revolution, and the accession of the Dutch William of Orange as King William III. However, the book can be a bit dry at times as Barone, an elections specialist, looks at the politics of parliamentary elections in the period to analyze the political trends leading up to James II's overthrow. If you have an interest in the Glorious Revolution and its influence on our own birth, "Our First Revolution" is well-worth your time.
April 10, 2019
So where did America's Founders get their ideals of personal freedom and individual rights? The answer is many sources from history. But one event in particular stands out. It occured in England in 1688-1689 and is known as Britain's Glorious Revolution. William of Orange (who became William III) led the last successful cross channel invasion of England to depose the despised King James II. There was plenty of palace intrigue, political stategizing, loyalty, and betrayals but in the end William gained control of England. This Glorious Revolution resulted in the creation of the hallmarks of representative government, guaranteed liberties, the foundations of global capitalism, and foreign policies to oppose aggressive foreign powers. Many of these ideas and principles made their way into America's founding documents for our own revolution that may not happened if not for the Glorious Revolution. It is even more important today to understand these origins of what we have as there are those who are trying to rid the world of such guaranteed rights and freedoms. You will learn much about America's founding based on the results of England's Glorious Revolution.
April 10, 2025
It read like a novel. I finished it in eight or nine days, intending at first only to skim it.
It's a period of history I've wanted to study more, in light of its relevance to the American founding and political theory generally.
The most fascinating thing I got from it, on the theoretical front, is that the Glorious Revolution was in essence kind of a return to feudalism and away from absolute monarchy, which was at that time a real trend in Europe. Medieval feudal England was actually much more republican (in the sense of being a commonwealth) and gave the people more rights than many of the monarchies of what we call the Renaissance period.
Without knowing it, perhaps, the revolutionaries were beginning to invent modern republicanism, or at least pave the way for it. They scored a major point for checks and balances and against autocracy.
I would give it five stars, but the writing style could have been better. At times, Barone repeats himself word for word and brings up the same quotations multiple times, without acknowledging that he's used them earlier, which makes for more awkward reading than necessary.
It's a period of history I've wanted to study more, in light of its relevance to the American founding and political theory generally.
The most fascinating thing I got from it, on the theoretical front, is that the Glorious Revolution was in essence kind of a return to feudalism and away from absolute monarchy, which was at that time a real trend in Europe. Medieval feudal England was actually much more republican (in the sense of being a commonwealth) and gave the people more rights than many of the monarchies of what we call the Renaissance period.
Without knowing it, perhaps, the revolutionaries were beginning to invent modern republicanism, or at least pave the way for it. They scored a major point for checks and balances and against autocracy.
I would give it five stars, but the writing style could have been better. At times, Barone repeats himself word for word and brings up the same quotations multiple times, without acknowledging that he's used them earlier, which makes for more awkward reading than necessary.
January 17, 2022
Though the book is about the "Glorious Revolution" in England it provided the North American colonies with the bases for what became the United States. While it is called a 'revolution' it was actually part of an invasion. William of Orange was married to Mary Stuart (daughter of James II). He was not English but arranged for his marriage to Mary with his eyes on the throne. The book goes through the build up to the invitation to invade, the actions of Charles II and James II that infuriated much of the nobility and Church of England leadership. The final chapter delves into the effects of the revolution on England and Europe. Because of the invasion/revolution actions that James II took to enhance royal power were turned back and additional restrictions were placed on the crown. This allowed the colonies to gain experience in and develop a form of representative government.
October 12, 2021
Not good. Fails in both of its goals. As other reviewers have noted, the tie-in to the American revolution is tacked-on at best. You are much better off reading Wood or Bailyn.
But it also fails as popular history. The tradeoff with that genre is a well-written and organized narrative, at the expense of deep scholarly learning. But the book isn't even well-written. Barone frequently re-uses stock phrases and cliches. The narrative is muddled and the character portraits--with the exception of John Churchill, cribbed directly from Winston--are uneven.
You don't feel in safe hands.
But it also fails as popular history. The tradeoff with that genre is a well-written and organized narrative, at the expense of deep scholarly learning. But the book isn't even well-written. Barone frequently re-uses stock phrases and cliches. The narrative is muddled and the character portraits--with the exception of John Churchill, cribbed directly from Winston--are uneven.
You don't feel in safe hands.
December 30, 2025
A nice history of Britain's Glorious Revolution written for people unfamiliar with the subject. Gives decent explanations of the main actors' rationale, but is often hard to read because there are a lot of details without context, which could have been omitted to form a tighter narrative. The cover also frames the book as a precursor to the American Revolution, but this feels like marketing; only one short final chapter makes any attempt to compare the two revolutions, and this feels like a quick afterthought to an otherwise thoughtful narrative.
November 7, 2019
Great game read on the glorious revolution
Great book that looks at a little known, yet massively impacting event. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about the glorious revolution. Once it saw the connection to the creation of a modern state I was hooked. The author does a great job of introducing you to a great cast of characters that changed the course of history. You also don’t need to be an expert in English history to jump right in!
Great book that looks at a little known, yet massively impacting event. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about the glorious revolution. Once it saw the connection to the creation of a modern state I was hooked. The author does a great job of introducing you to a great cast of characters that changed the course of history. You also don’t need to be an expert in English history to jump right in!
December 11, 2018
A wonderful, short, read and a clear explanation of why William of Orange was such a pivotal figure in history and how his reign set the stage for our own revolution. Added bonus: interesting Appendix and intelligent footnotes. Now if only everyone in that era was not named Charles, James, William, Anne or Mary!!
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