First published 2021
Queen Elizabeth dispatches Francis Drake on a secret mission to sail around the world. The hot-tempered sea captain promises his monarch riches of gold and silver from distant shores. Drake navigates treacherous waters and hostile territories, driven by his queen's imperial dreams and his own hunger for glory. In 1580, he becomes the first captain to complete a successful circumnavigation of the globe. Nearly ten years later, Drake faces his greatest test when Spanish warships threaten England's coastline. He leads the defense against the mighty Armada, securing a victory that will reshape the balance of European power. Through these pivotal voyages, Drake transforms himself from a common pirate into the instrument of Elizabeth's ambitions. His exploits fuel England's rise toward empire and mark the nation's evolution into Great Britain. Bergreen weaves together the grand sweep of history with the personal story of a man who made the impossible become reality for his queen.
Genres: biography, historical, historical-fiction, adventure
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: England, Europe
Period: 16th-century
1 pages · Audio CD · HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing