One of Penguin's biographies of British monarchs. Without overlooking the breadth of the subject this is merely a glimpse of James II's short turbulent reign from 1685-1688. As Duke of York (for which New York is named) James was influential before succeeding to the throne when his brother Charles II died without children. But the joy of the still fresh Restoration abated when The "Popish Plot" and James' secret conversion to Catholicism gave rise to the political Exclusion Crisis that, although it failed, ushered in new political tactics. When William, Prince of Orange, was invited by nobles to come to England with an army, prepared to invade, James II effectively abdicated when he declined to attack the invading army. Womersley's sources include historians of the period including some interesting comments by Samuel Pepys.

This is an excellent summary that would serve well as a starting point for further study of a fascinating era. ( )