Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. An interesting book that has you hooked up to the end. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read. ~ Lional Jones (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. The concept of an Irish man writing a fictionalised novel on Oliver Cromwell was too tempting not to read. Although broadly fiction, there is a fair bit of fact woven through this book. We get to know a bit more about the personality of Cromwell, I have had a historical interest in the Civil War in England across both perspectives ie Parliamentary and Royal. Add to what we actually know about the man's religious beliefs, his amazing ability to plan and strategise along with his personal trials and tribulations- Tom Reilly definitely adds nuance to his character even though it might be fiction. I really enjoyed this book, well written and researched. ~ Carol Elizabeth Keogh (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Full Text: 4.0 out of 5 stars. Goes into the mind and motivations of one of history's most complex leaders. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 July 2022 Oliver Cromwell has always been one of my heroes, despite his slide into being a quasi-monarch/autocrat. This fascinating fictionalised biography blends the personal and the political, charting his rise to power, as he moved from being a rather wild young man, a reprobate even, to landowner to brilliant military strategist. Along the way, we see his pain and sadness at child loss and have an insight into the invidious war that tore families apart. If true, the episode where the down-at-heel family are about to sail for the New World, and are recalled at the last minute by an inheritance form Cromwell’s uncle, must rank as one of history’s most significant ‘what if?’ moments. I have been troubled by Cromwell’s record in Ireland, not only because I have Irish ancestry. Written by an author from Drogheda, the novel convincingly puts the case for absolving Cromwell of the worst anti-Catholic atrocities in Ireland, with which history has charged him. This will be a controversial proposition, but one which this reader would like to believe! Similarly, while one shouldn’t blame the victim, we see how Charles I contributed to the animosity against him. He could clearly start an argument in an empty room. I have no hesitation in awarding this meticulously researched novelisation 4 stars. ~ MARGARET CAIN (Reviewer) , NetGalley

As you begin your literary journey within this book, one of the pages you pass by showcases another linked Reilly-written book, this one entitled Cromwell was Framed (where the author digs deep and provides evidence suggesting that monarchists then, and nationalists more recently, have been wrong in accusing republican Oliver Cromwell of a massacre of non-combatants at Drogheda in 1649) and then we are into the first of twenty-seven chapters, this one titled as 1599. In what is a completely - to my mind - left of centre opening page that brings forth the vividly captured story of how a monkey named Caesar swiped a five-month-old baby from the Cromwell stately home, built on the site of a former nunnery, all whilst down below a tranquil social gathering helmed by mother Elizabeth Cromwell (née Bourchier) was ongoing, the book thereafter never lets the reader down and keeps a wickedly vibrant pace throughout. Running at 229 pages, The Protector: The Fall and Rise Of Oliver Cromwell - A Novel is easily enthralling enough to have you binge read it in two enjoyable sittings, which I humbly suggest you do, as it will have you second guessing all you thought you knew about the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, of that have no doubt. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=354 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. I took an interest in Oliver Cromwell because I had been reading historical fiction books set during that time. I found his life to be very interesting and I find it fascinating that his name lives on, even here in America where British history isn't exactly something we care about. ~ Caroline Craig David (Reviewer), NetGalley

A distinctively realistic all killer - no filler fictional biography that bristles with controversy, sex, love, civil war, slaughter, intrigue, redemption and - perhaps the ultimate crime of all - regicide. Every effort has been made to accurately weave real people around a narrative of historical precision. Meticulously biographical in its substance, the plot is predetermined by a landscape of true events that both enthral and educate. Perhaps controversially, the subject is credibly portrayed as a tender father, an admirable man and a reluctant overachiever. The unrelenting pace of the action truly reflects Cromwell’s compelling life story. Think you know Oliver Cromwell? Think again ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

Tom Reilly's latest book on Oliver Cromwell is something of a welcome departure from the usual narrow political and military narrative of the Interregnum period of English history. In "The Protector", Tom has taken the step of presenting Oliver Cromwell's life as a sort of work of fiction - making for a much more sympathetic understanding of a man to whom history has been far from kind. In Tom's narrative, rather than being a distant, almost mythical figure, Cromwell is shown to be neither bad nor good, but very human indeed and full of human frailty, just like the rest of us. There is a wealth of the social and political world of the early to mid 1600s evidenced in "The Protector" and Tom Reilly, as ever, demonstrates a very detailed appreciation of all that should go into making a subject come alive - in this case from a thorough knowledge of the architecture, language, community, religious life and cultural norms of the period. The Protector is a book that succeeds in making us form a view of Cromwell which might be different to what we think we know. For the first time, we gain an insight into what formed the adult man - how Cromwell's religious beliefs were informed by his childhood lessons and how, after a series of personal crises, including the loss of his son Robert and financial difficulties, he came to believe utterly in his God. and the afterlife. How these beliefs contributed to Cromwell's developing social and moral conscience is well explained, leading in time in his burgeoning political career and eventual rise to Lord Protector. Tom's book is also very knowledgeable on the subject of the background to the the English Civil War - a necessary adjunct to forming an understanding of what drove Cromwell and his New Model Army to change the landscape in the first place. The Protector also gives us the benefit of a pocket sized history of the Cromwellian period in Irish history - often very difficult to understand, but Tom wears his extensive military and political knowledge of the period lightly and, for example, giving an exciting account of the Siege of Clonmel April/May of 1650. There is also a fair and objective explanation of the notorious Siege of Drogheda, which goes some way to showing how Cromwell was abiding by the rules of engagement and war at this time. The Protector is a super read - there is nothing Tom Reilly does not know about Oliver Cromwell and it shows in his book. While the narrative is driven by the use of the fictional device, this only serves to give us a more balanced view of Oliver Cromwell, clearly a man of many contrasts. In Tom's book, we see Cromwell as a husband, father, gambler, sensual, religious, gifted military leader and sometimes reluctant politician. I came away from reading it with a better knowledge of the man, and the turbulent period of history he was both part of, and contributed to, and which changed the English political system for ever. ~ Roisín Halligan

The crossing of the great divide between fiction and non-fiction is a daunting traverse for authors of any discipline, but more so for historians schooled within the confines and regulations of straight-bat scripts. Tom Reilly began his writing life as a journalist, and even back in those days he displayed the gifts of a master wordsmith that separated him apart from his colleagues and marked him out for his future career as an author. Hiis previous books were very well written and meticulously researched, as they needed to be given the controversial subject matters he chose to address. His latest offering, The Protector, sees Reilly revisit his favoured subject matter of Oliver Cromwell, about whom he has an intrinsic sense and awareness. Long before he chose to write this fictional book I always felt that he had deep perception of Cromwell as a person, making him the ideal candidate to pen his book. Reilly always pushed the boundaries of the norm, but he is always insightful, unique and displays an extended but naturally used vocabulary, and this is one of the measures on which writers are judged. His style of writing is richly textured and embroidered but not in a labourious way. Despite the expanse of his text, I never had to read any paragraph twice or to backtrack which is the norm for all readers. The Protector is a pleasure to read and was penned by a man who is a master of his topic. It is edited to perfection and it deserves note on this front because this flawlessness leaves the reader feeling that all other areas of the manuscript have been given the same attention to detail. ~ Des Grant Newspaper Owner

The Protector is Tom Reilly’s twelfth book and his fourth volume re-addressing the legacy of Oliver Cromwell in Ireland. There is hardly a more controversial figure in Irish history and in the book, Reilly argues that Cromwell, being a man shaped by circumstance needs to be judged in the context of his times. Like the proverbial onion, as we delve further into this volume, layers peel away, revealing a more complex character than the one dimensional caricature of Cromwell that we’ve been presented with throughout the years. This is no dry history either. Tom Reilly is a master of the dramatic turn and the story moves at an animated pace, revealing hitherto unknown facets of Old Ironsides’ life and ambitions. They say that history is written by the victors, and in his lifetime, Cromwell was certainly victorious, but those who last longest also get a say and many who outlived and succeeded this republican upstart were determined that his legacy would be shaped by their ambitions and prejudice. This is a brave book that puts the man in context and asks if we have judged him by reputation or by fact. ~ Roger O'Reilly

When people think of Tom Reilly as an author they may imagine weighty academic history books defending his position on Cromwell. However if they pick up The Protector they will find that while still on Tom Reilly's favourite subject it has received a very different treatment. Using his extensive research on Cromwell, Tom has woven the facts into a work of fiction. A delightfully easy read that educates while entertaining. While many will still disagree with his perception of Cromwell, others will gain insight and knowledge, and more will just enjoy a historic novel. I don't believe anyone will finish it disappointed. ~ Annie McGinley

Tom Reilly uses his scholarly knowledge of Oliver Cromwell to bring to life one of the most divisive figures in Anglo-Irish history. For those of us who went through the Irish school system, Cromwell is often little more than a bogeyman, a genocidal, religious fanatic. Through fast-paced narrative and insightful dialogue, Reilly uses his appreciation of the social and political context of Cromwell's time, and the personal tragedies he suffered, to give a greater understanding of what motivated his military and political careers.Reilly has taken a character from the pages of historical textbooks to the world of narrative history in a superb work. ~ Eoin Reynolds (Journalist)

It took me a couple of chapters to adjust to the "classics" language but I was gripped from chapter 1 with a death defying chimpanzee and a helpless baby opening. I learned and retained so much info on OC from this book of "faction". More than I would ever have gotten from a "history book". To see him as a child, man, husband and father was totally as odds with the image of a warmonger that is usually associated with him. It was really interesting and I looked forward to picking it up each evening. A truly gripping read. ~ Ann McVeigh

Tom Reilly has managed to bring a controversial figure, Oliver Crowell to life. A well researched and easy read, ‘The Protector’ is engaging and informative. His skills, I think, give the leading historical writers of the 21st century a run for their money. ‘The Protector’ is a lively read that gives us a unique insight into Oliver Crowell, a man who had a deep impact on Britain and Ireland, politically and socially. Tom is skillful in his construction of a man affected by loss, illness, education, society and moulded by the culture of his times. I will not think of Cromwell - whose reputation in Ireland is as a blood-thirsty dictator - in the same way again. ~ Christine Docherty (Journalist)

Behind every legend there’s a human being. A member of a family. A member of a community. A citizen of a nation. Tom Reilly’s The Protector lifts the veil of the legend of Oliver Cromwell to reveal the person that lies beneath. The gentleman farmer, the unsophisticated Puritan, who lived at a time of upheaval and change in the history of an empire. And history too can be skewed by, and become, legend. In lifting the veil on legend The Protector prompts us to view history instead as the consequence of motivation. It presents us with the motivation - indeed, motivations - of the man that was, before the legend that would be, Oliver Cromwell. And it leaves us with some questions. Does the motivation justify the history? Does the history, the man, deserve the legend? ~ Shane Larkin (Poet)

This book is gripping from start to finish. As a tale it is packed with tension and drama and the reader is transported convincingly back to the 17th century. The political tensions and events of that time in Britain and how this impacted on Ireland are depicted in a way that’s accessible, shocking at times and comprehensive. It is certainly informative and calls into question received understandings of the person and character that was Oliver Cromwell. His religious zealotry indeed presents hugely in its impact on the course of his life and consequently the lives of nations. This was far from endearing. However, the dynamics of how a narrative of the events of the time were crafted and communicated to generations is credibly called into question. Oliver Cromwell’s legacy is undoubtedly worth re-examination. ~ Tomás Hickey

'The Protector' is a fictional biography of exceedingly rare beauty. Only the precocious rendering of an Irish author and historian who harbours a fixation on our past foe, Cromwell, could weave such an intriguing, elegant, and profoundly humanizing story. For Tom Reilly, this book is personal; Cromwell not only sacked his hometown centuries past, but the author’s present abode rest upon a portion of the original wall that his troops cannoned before scaling to their victory. You therefore might expect the author to seek redemption within the weave of his words. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Protector is not about a history spent, it is about a family who lives, experience woes, joys, and their many hardships aligned to it. The Protector offers a delightful glimpse of humanity as it unravels the tribulations of a family man who descends into poverty only to rise with family support to the highest office in the most difficult of times. It is an intriguingly captivating, full-colour, shoulder-perching snapshot of a family during their daily lives. The author unravels for us their thoughts, choices, beliefs, and inflictions of the period as only an avid follower of history could orate. As a fellow author, I find the penmanship extraordinary, the perfect blend of literary skill and historical knowledge which transports the reader body and soul into its pages. It is a lifetime condensed with such richness into so many mesmerizing pages. The Protector is a book worthy of every bookshelf and global recognition. ~ Maurice O'Neill (author)

Tom Reilly's historical novel "The Protector" is at times provocative, poignant and preposterous, yet always entertaining. Purportedly drawing on meticulous research, Reilly merrily portrays the (in-)famous Oliver Cromwell as an anxiety-ridden, misinterpreted, hyper-religious kook who leads a divinely charmed life, surviving near-drownings, battles, bankruptcy, assassination attempts, even an abduction as a babe by a chimpanzee. Warning: monarchist and papists may not be amused to be on an intimate first-name basis ("Oliver") with one of Ireland and the UK's most maligned historical figures. Would it be that all history were this amusing. ~ Bruce Batchelor (The Book Guru)

As something of an 'agent provocateur' the author has undertaken a very significant and critical task. Using documented facts as his base, he interweaves potential dialogue to present some very interesting and compelling arguments about the man, most famous in Britain for his support of Parliament and the New Model Army, and in Ireland as Drogheda's 17th century assailant. While not quite guaranteeing the rehabilitation of Cromwell as an honourable soldier, or on a more mundane level as a tender family man, he certainly does pose pause for some credible thought, for those with an open mind. A compelling read for the closet history buff in us all. ~ Niall Kierans

Cromwell meets Poldark. This is a dramatic, fast paced, page-turning book I couldn’t put down, and one that I missed out on a day's work because of. It is right up there with any Shakespearean play, full of twists, turns and back stabbing, everyday characters you can relate to. The historical descriptions transport you straight to the 17th century: harsh, unforgiving and raw. It’s hard to undo 400 years of comfort in hating Cromwell, but justified when you realise half of England did too ~ Lorraine Sherry

This book is truly amazing, I've learned so much and the author has done Cromwell a great service by telling his story in this way. So many more people who, let's face it, would never pick up an academic or history book will read this (or better still watch it when HBO transmit it! The author is a natural storyteller his writing is clever, clear and consise. His power of description is what made it an almost immersive experience for me! ~ Claire Brett Holmes

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Full of interesting "well I didn't know that" moments. A man of his time, not ours, we can not judge. Only his God can do that. ~ David McGlynn

It is very nice to have so many familiar episodes in Oliver's career brought so vividly to life. In general the story reminded me of the 1970 Richard Harris film, in being at once vividly imaginative and fundamentally true to character. . ~ Professor Ronald Hutton (Renowned Historian and Cromwell Expert)

‘The Protector’ is undeniably both an enjoyable and a valuable book. It expertly weaves Oliver Cromwell’s biographical information into a narrative format that is informative but still easy to digest. One of the text’s most significant features is the use of an omniscient narrator that tells us the story while, evidently, possessing the knowledge of what is to come next, much like the audience from our twenty-first century perspective. This gives ‘The Protector’ a wealth of suspense and foreshadowing, giving the text pacing that is akin to an engaging TV drama. The book’s subject matter, and often tragic moments, does not prevent it from having a healthy dose of humour. The characterisations are fully fleshed out and believable. These characters are utterly plausible and the narration takes you along with them, particularly the chief protagonist, as they navigate life. ‘The Protector’, with its utilisation of historical fact, provides a wholly new perspective on the controversial figure of Oliver Cromwell, presenting not a tyrant, but instead a sympathetic man who did what he thought was best in always challenging circumstances. ~ Emma Flanagan

Why does the world need a book about Oliver Cromwell? Every child in Ireland knows that he was first cousin to Beelzebub. Is there anything else to learn about him? The answer is everything. For most of his life, Tom Reilly has been in pursuit of the real man behind that most hated of historical figures, the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. This novel, closely based on hard fact, brings a new, vivid, fallible man to life. He had political corruption to challenge, physical battles to fight, personal demons to contend with and the grief of losing four of his children before their time. It’s possible to develop some sympathy for the devil. Read it and decide for yourself. ~ Oona Roycroft (Creative Writing Teacher)