Dr Doolin’s investigation of the Fronde, the civil war in France from 1648 to 1653, is based upon a great mass of unused but well-known material, the so-called Mazarinades, a series of pamphlets that appeared during the war. Although his sympathy lies with the opposition rather than with the government, he carefully avoids an apologetic tone, describes events without comment, and analyzes the statements of both parties without bias. He demonstrates that very important political principles were at stake: despotism to the ends of peace and glory (the government) against a polity of divided authority under law to the end of justice and the Christian life (the opposition).