Sir Francis Drake

by John Sugden

Book Overview

How well do you know the life of one of Britain's great maritime heroes? Discover the truth behind a man who remains a legendary figure of history more than four hundred years after his death. Sir... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805014896
• ISBN13: 9780805014891
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 353 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Bio!

This was an exceptionally well written account of one of the greatest sailors in history. One sees the man, not just the captain. The information presented is very well researched and as complete as could ever be expected with the spotty records available.

Well researched with good supporting evidence.

I thought this was a fairly easy read, chocked full of well reasearched facts. However when hard documentation was not available, well argued reasoning is injected to make the intended point. I've read many treatments on Drake and find this to be the most definative. While there are many missing pieces to Drakes life, the author really gives a good picture of the man and his times without putting him on a pedestal or dragging him through the mud as many authors try. In other words this book is not based on just trying to get another "ANGLE" to Drakes story. I think you be pleased you read it.

Informative and Easy to Read

The author has a healthy respect for Drake without becoming too enamored. The author points out at near the end of the book that Drake was the right man at the right time. On Drake's later expeditions (that were failures) the Spanish had fortified their holdings in the new world to a point that made it more difficult for privateers. This, however, does not detract from Drake's earlier success which would not have been accomplished by men of lesser genius.