The Armada

By: Garrett Mattingly

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In August of 1588, a Spanish fleet of 130 ships departed from La Coruña under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. Its purpose was to rendezvous with the Spanish army at the Dutch port of Sluys. At this point, the fleet was to act as a screen while the Spanish army was shuttled across the English Channel in barges. Upon landing, the Spanish invasion force - the finest professional army in the world led by the finest military commander in Europe - would march to London, seize the crown from Elizabeth, avenge the execution of her Catholic Majesty (Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots), and return the English crown to a Catholic ruler.

But there was one problem: the English fleet. Though much smaller than the Spanish fleet, it was a demonstrably superior fighting force of sailors, ships, naval technology, and guns. Its admirals, among them Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, were unsurpassed. And the Spanish admiralty was acutely aware of this. They hoped to overwhelm the English fleet by sheer weight of numbers, or at least keep it at bay long enough to allow their invincible Spanish army, led by the brilliant Duke of Parma, to be brought over to the English coast from Holland. On paper, it looked like a solid plan. As the Duke of Parma realized, however, the logistic details were going to be formidable. But Philip II of Spain insisted on sticking to a strict timetable for his "enterprise." In order for the Armada to succeed, everything must be timed to perfection, and the tactics had to be flawlessly executed.

The world's first modern naval engagement was in the making, and neither side had the foggiest idea how to fight such a battle. There were four principal nations involved in the great struggle: England, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. As events unfolded, each of these participants were to play crucial roles, some from behind the scenes. In the end, it became a logistics nightmare for both sides...and it was to change naval warfare forever.

Discover the marvelous heroism and endurance of Spaniard and Englishman. And discover the incredible narrative power of Garrett Mattingly's dramatic, Pulitzer Prize-winning history, The Armada.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1959 Leonard Mattingly (P)2017 Audio Connoisseur

Great

Another great Audio Connoisseur recording, great narrator and a worthy topic. Be prepared for a lot of context involving what was going on in France at the time.

Amazing

One of the best history books I have read. Well written and well spoken. Narration was excellent.

sensational book

one of the best non-fiction books I've ever read. Gripping and factual. Lots of information I never knew about this subject. The audio book was narrated really well. I've not enjoyed a book this much in a long time.

Reading history of a pivotal event like it was the newspaper.

I first read this 25 years ago and it left me feeling like I was learning about the Elizabethan age as of on a newspaper. A lot of fascinating things were happening then. The more I learn of Elizabeth the more fascinated I become. A deserving winner of the Pulitzer.

Fascinating

The reading and writing was so interesting and entertaining that I was compelled to listen. Written and read in a traditional high English style, the language could be wordy, but also elegant, sardonic, ironic and witty. The story was clear accurate and even-handed. Great story; Great reader!

Great for history lovers

This book is wonderfully crafted and it’s performance is exquisite. Mattingly writes the events leading up to, during, and after the battle of the Armada as if it were a novel. I had to read this book for a sea power history class. The only reason I did not give 5/5 stars is because of the small amount of resources and strangely constructed bibliography in the written text. However it’s worth a listen for non analytical purposes!!

Well done.

I read this book 50 years ago and loved it then. This recording did not disappoint. The reading was excellent and the brief musical interludes between chapters added an interesting element.