In Search of a Kingdom

Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British Empire

By: Laurence Bergreen

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

In this grand and thrilling narrative, the acclaimed biographer of Magellan, Columbus, and Marco Polo brings alive the singular life and adventures of Sir Francis Drake, the pirate/explorer/admiral whose mastery of the seas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I changed the course of history

“Bergreen masterly portrays...the swashbuckling life and times of the explorer who achieved what Magellan could not - and made England’s fortune in the process.” (Kirkus)

Before he was secretly dispatched by Queen Elizabeth to circumnavigate the globe, or was called upon to save England from the Spanish Armada, Francis Drake 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 to circumnavigate the earth successfully. (Ferdinand Magellan had died in his attempt.) Part exploring expedition, part raiding mission, Drake's audacious around-the-world journey in the Golden Hind reached Patagonia, the Pacific Coast of present-day California and Oregon, the Spice Islands, Java, and Africa. Almost a decade later, Elizabeth called upon Drake again. As the devil-may-care vice admiral of the English fleet, Drake dramatically defeated the once-invincible Spanish Armada, spurring the British Empire’s ascent and permanently wounding its greatest rival. 

The relationship between Drake and Elizabeth is the missing link in our understanding of the rise of the British Empire, and its importance has not been fully described or appreciated. Framed around Drake’s key voyages as a window into this crucial moment in British history, In Search of a Kingdom is a rousing adventure narrative entwining epic historical themes with intimate passions.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

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

©2021 Laurence Bergreen (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

READS LIKE A NOVEL

Web
Lloyd written and most entertaining. Great narration. Really brings to life a fascinating Era.

too gruesome to continue to listen.

Madame hate the Spanish of Drakes time. as bad as the nazis. probably good history

Great Listen

Opens up so much insight to early American history with details and granularity I had not heard before.

Very informative

I thought the book was well researched, and the narration was good. I do think a bit of additional editing would have been in order, since the author had a tendency to repeat ideas (Drake 's "second rich wife" was referred to the same way too many times etc.). This is a small complaint, however.

Fascinating story!

It's true - this is a long book, full of details. But what fascinating details and what a story this is! Bergreen tells the who-what-where, but he adds so made details about the people (including Queen Elizabeth I) that you probably never knew but which are so important to understanding the late 1500's. I loved this book and could easily listen to it again!

Well worthwhile for history buffs.

Started out slowly, with too much trivia. Eventually, it became a fascinating listen. The more I listened, the better I understood why the trivia was necessary. The interface with cannibals was fascinating, as was the Spanish Armada disaster on the English Channel. Francis Drake changed the course of both English and European history. Without Drake, it’s very likely that England would be a Catholic country, with Elizabeth I having a much shorter reign.

a different side of English history

excellent telling of the story of the English pirate Sir Francis. a part of English history not normally told. biggest issue that I found was that they have Sir Francis Drake visiting Sierra Leone but Sierra Leone wasn't a country until 1960ish as far as I know. they should have at least made mention of that.

A fantastic journey into the beginning of the British Empire.

The research was outstanding. The story was well pieced together. I knew relatively little about Drake and the queen and walked away understanding so much of their era. Thanks for such a great work.

Empire on the rise

Great audible on the rise of England as an empire. As the Spanish empire was peaking, England (and Drake) were there to take their riches.

In-depth & well read.

Superb narration added much to the extensive content provided on the prolific life of Sir Francis Drake.