This work investigates the personal character and private motivations of King Charles II, examining how his temperament influenced the political stability of 17th-century England. Dennis Wheatley utilizes his background as a novelist to construct a narrative-driven biography that prioritizes the monarch's intimate relationships and daily habits over dry administrative records. The text argues that the King's nickname, 'Old Rowley,' reflects a man whose pragmatic and often hedonistic approach to life served as a necessary counterbalance to the rigid political factions of the Restoration era.

Readers often note that the prose style is highly readable, reflecting the author's background in fiction writing. Experts generally categorize this as a popular history work rather than a strictly academic biography, suitable for those seeking an engaging introduction to the Restoration court.