August 1642. King Charles raises his standard in Nottingham and in doing so declares war on his Parliament, condemning England to the turmoil of a civil war. Amid the deepening political crisis, an idealistic and impulsive young woman faces her own dilemma. Elizabeth is a passionate and firm believer in Parliament's cause. When she is confronted with an unwanted and potentially damaging marriage proposal from Elijah Thackton (the brother of the man who killed her father) she is certain she cannot accept. But does she have a choice? Torn between securing her family's future prosperity and her own personal happiness, Elizabeth makes an unconventional decision. By joining the Parliamentarian ranks disguised as a man, Elizabeth begins a dangerous journey through the opening stages of the English Civil War. The World Turned Upside Down is a vividly written novel which accurately captures the confusion and volatility of this turbulent period of history in an original and striking way.