In Search of a Kingdom

"FASCINATING . . . Dramatic and timely."-New York Times Book Review,Editors' Choice In this grand and thrilling narrative, the author of the 200,000-copy paperback bestseller Over the Edge of the World reveals the singular adventures of Sir Francis Drake,whose mastery of the seas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I changed the course of history. "Entrancing . . . Very good indeed."-Wall Street Journal Before he was secretly dispatched by Queen Elizabeth tocircumnavigate the globe, or was called uponto save England from the Spanish Armada, FrancisDrake was perhaps the most wanted-and successful-pirate ever to sail. Nicknamed "El Draque" by the Spaniards who placed a bounty on his head, the notorious red-haired, hot-tempered Drake pillaged galleons laden with New World gold and silver, stealing a vast fortune for his queen-and himself. For Elizabeth, Drake made the impossible real, serving as a crucial and brilliantly adaptable instrument of her ambitions to transform England from a third-rate island kingdom into a global imperial power. In 1580, sailing on Elizabeth's covert orders, Drake became the first captain tocircumnavigate the earth successfully. (FerdinandMagellan had died in his attempt.) Part exploring expedition, part raiding mission, Drake's audacious around-the-world journey in theGolden HindreachedPatagonia, the Pacific Coast of present-day California and Oregon, the Spice Islands, Java, and Africa. Almost a decadelater, Elizabeth called upon Drake again. As the devil-may-care vice admiral of the English fleet, Drake dramatically defeated the once-invincible Spanish Armada, spurringthe British Empire's ascent and permanently wounding its greatest rival. The relationship between Drake and Elizabethis the missing link in our understanding of the riseof the British Empire, and its importance has notbeen fully described or appreciated. Framed aroundDrake's key voyages as a window into this crucialmoment in British history,In Search of a Kingdomis a rousing adventure narrative entwining epichistorical themes with intimate passions.