Sir Francis Drake: The Queens Pirate

by Harry Kelsey

Book Overview

In this lively and engaging new biography, Harry Kelsey shatters the familiar image of Sir Francis Drake. The Drake of legend was a pious, brave, and just seaman who initiated the move to make England... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300071825
• ISBN13: 9780300071825
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Bring on the Dogs of War!

For afficionados of Drake, Elizabethan England, or nautical history, this is a first rate read! The scholarship is thorough and well documented without leaving the prose too dry. Author Kelsey exegetically strips the gloss which has been after-added to most accounts of Drake's life (my brother, who is a nautical archaeologist, found it professionally worthwhile). Unfortunately, Kelsey's apparent bias against Drake's commercial focus prevents a discussion of Drake's larger role as an economic multiplier in the Elizabethan fiscus. The cash brought in by Drake's expeditions and similar ilk were probably critical in enabling the crown to finance the struggle against the Spaniards. Still, all in all, highly recommended.

Drake is the greatest pirate of all times!

I love the story of Sir Francis Drake and his adventures in the Spanish Main and was eager at this chance at such a thourouh telling of his story.