Following the standard Osprey format, the book starts with a good section on the origins of the Civil War (although the accompanying illustrations in this section are not very supportive), followed by an excellent campaign chronology. The next section, on opposing leaders, is broken down into sub-sections not only by Roundheads and Cavaliers, but also by foot, cavalry and artillery. There is no separate section on opposing plans, but strategic perspectives are addressed in the section on the opening moves of the campaign.

In a surprising but welcome departure from standard Osprey format, the authors devote 23 whole pages (a quarter of the volume) to the section on opposing armies. This section, entitled "Raising the Armies," details a number of germane issues, such as the difference between contemporary Dutch, German and Swedish tactics (with excellent diagrams). The organization of foot, horse and artillery units is discussed, as well as unit structures and formations employed. Two points of relevance to the battle are discussed herewith; first, that the armies were about equal in strength, but second, the Royalist forces were hampered by equipment shortages and poorly-trained infantry.

The four battle scenes that accompany the section on the battle are excellent, as well as the 2-D and 3-D maps. The result of the battle was mixed, with the Royalist cavalry routing their opposite numbers, but the Royalist infantry was smashed by a well-timed Roundhead counterattack. Both armies pulled back to lick their wounds. Although King Charles made a thrust toward London after the battle, he withdrew to Oxford after it became obvious that he lacked the numbers to storm the capital. Probably the only criticism of this volume is the lack of a separate appendix on order of battle. The information is included in several diagrams and the maps, but there is no comprehensive list. Also, the information on casualties is a bit vague. Otherwise, this is a welcome addition to any collection on 17th Century warfare.

In this book, Henry Reed returns to rural New Jersey for his third summer with his aunt and uncle. Each summer, Henry and his friend and partner-in-chicanery, Midge Glass, embark on a business scheme that results in humorous twists and moderately successful outcomes.

This summer, Henry and Midge want to produce some sort of entertainment show, but when a music festival and medieval tournament prove to have insurmountable obstacles, they settle on a rodeo. New Jersey being fresh out of stallions and bulls, they improvise and settle on sheep-roping and Sardinian donkey-riding. As always, there is an unexpected funny disaster, but a happy outcome.

Like the previous three books, Henry Reed's Big Show is entertaining and completely G-rated. The writing is compelling and through Henry, who lives overseas during the school year, the author passes along obscure facts about the world interesting to children and adults alike.

The downside, unfortunately, is these stories occur in a world that no longer exists. I grew up in an area of New Jersey close to the fictional Grovers Corner in which these books are based, and the rural idyll is long-gone, replaced by shopping malls and developments of McMansions. Similarly, it is hard to imagine today's young teens relating to the two characters whose activities, while hair-brained, are squeaky-clean and occuring without the presence of TV, the Internet, etc.

I highly recommend this and the other Henry Reed books in the series to children aged 10 and up. There is no objectionable material for a parent to be concerned about, but the cultural world in which the story is set may cause confusion.

The final chapter is a wonderful look at school in 1774. Indeed, my daughter (eleven-years-old and still an American Girls fan) and I loved this book. I especially liked the way that the author artfully combined the story of the simple life of a young girl, with the happenings of the greater world around her. This is a wonderfully entertaining and educational book, one that my daughter and I both recommend.