Final answer:
James II was unique compared to other British men due to his Roman Catholicism, insistence on centralized political power, and firm belief in the divine right of kings. His different approach to rule and absolutist tendencies led to significant tensions with Parliament and his Protestant subjects.
Step-by-step explanation:
James II of England was different from other British men and monarchs of his time in several significant ways. Firstly, James's religious affiliations made him a controversial figure. Unlike his predecessor, who were Protestant, James converted to Roman Catholicism which set him apart in predominantly Protestant England. His enforcement of Catholic practices and his refusal to consider the Puritan's Millenary Petition highlighted his unwillingness to accommodate the religious desires of his subjects. This enforcement of uniformity in religious practices heightened tensions between the monarchy and the English people.
Additionally, James II sought to centralize political power and to rule with absolute authority, modeling his reign after the French Catholic King Louis XIV. His efforts to build a standing army in times of peace, another aspect that made him different, deeply alarmed his subjects as they feared that it would be used to suppress their liberties. Moreover, the possibility of a Catholic succession became real when James bore a Catholic heir.
James's personal traits and beliefs in the divine right of kings, as documented in 'The Trew Law of Free Monarchies', led him to clash with Parliament, further distinguishing his rule. His complex character, described as extensive and shallow, and his conviction of being above the law played a considerable role in his relationship with other British men, most of whom did not share his absolute view of monarchical power.