Richard Baxter

A Holy Commonwealth was written in 1659 by the Puritan minister Richard Baxter (1615–91), and proved to be the most controversial of all his works. He publicly repudiated it in 1670, and in 1683 the Oxford University authorities ordered it to be part of a book-burning that included the works of Hobbes and Milton. The scandal that surrounded it has obscured its merits as the most candid of confessions as to why a conservative Puritan fought for Parliament in the Civil War and gave his support to the Cromwells. The views it expresses are at variance with the cautious explanations given in Baxter’s later memoirs (now seen as a less reliable source than past commentators have presumed). This edition of A Holy Commonwealth makes available to modern readers a work which offers a unique perspective on the relation between church and magistrate and the origins of the English Civil War.

A Holy Commonwealth was written in 1659 by the Puritan minister Richard Baxter (1615–91), and proved to be the most controversial of all his works. He publicly repudiated it in 1670, and in 1683 the Oxford University authorities ordered it to be part of a book-burning that included the works of Hobbes and Milton. The scandal that surrounded it has obscured its merits as the most candid of confessions as to why a conservative Puritan fought for Parliament in the Civil War and gave his support to the Cromwells. The views it expresses are at variance with the cautious explanations given in Baxter's later memoirs (now seen as a less reliable source than past commentators have presumed). This edition of A Holy Commonwealth makes available to modern readers a work which offers a unique perspective on the relation between church and magistrate and the origins of the English Civil War.

The second edition of Energy Storage: A Nontechnical Guide presents a thoroughly updated examination of the technologies, markets, and strategies shaping today’s storage landscape. Designed for engineers, analysts, and energy professionals, this edition expands on the first by providing deeper technical clarity, broader market coverage, and updated insights into system design, performance, and economics. Baxter offers a practical, operations-driven perspective on how storage technologies function and where they create value. The book outlines the growing opportunities in front-of-the-meter, utility, and behind-the-meter markets; examines the performance and cost drivers that determine system viability; and explains how emerging technologies are expected to influence future deployments. Readers gain a grounded understanding of storage technologies—from pumped hydro and lithium-ion to flow batteries, compressed air, mechanical systems, and next-generation chemistries—along with clear explanations of their applications, operational characteristics, and commercial potential. With increasing pressure to integrate renewables, enhance grid reliability, and optimize market participation, this guide offers a structured, accessible reference for understanding how energy storage can serve as a critical component of modern power systems.