J. S. Omond's study of 1933 documents the historically problematic relationship between Parliament and the Army. Providing an overview of the 260 years which elapsed from the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 until the establishment of the Army Council in 1904, the book describes the phases through which the problem of political control of the army has passed. Omond draws upon a wide variety of historical material including biographies, memoirs, letters, parliamentary debates and newspaper articles in addressing how and why this relationship has remained of principal concern since the reign of Charles I. An Epilogue takes account of events from 1904 to the book's publication in 1933, and a chronological table summarises the key historical and political events.