IN SEARCH OF A KINGDOM

The tale of a pirate who shaped history

Author Laurence Bergreen Publisher Harpercollins Publishers Price £25 Released Out Now

Laurence Bergreen’s In Search Of A Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, And The Perilous Birth Of The British Empire, paints a swashbuckling tale of the exploits of Francis Drake as he set out on a journey to circumnavigate the globe. Its grand sense of adventure grips the reader from the start as you are transported to a time of gold, glory and godly cause.

With extensive research drawn from Francis Drake’s own letters and diaries, Bergreen’s unfolding of the story almost has you believing he witnessed it first-hand.

The narrative is very clearly defined as it follows Drake’s journey chronologically, beginning the story from the launching of Drake’s expedition from England in

1577. We’re given a bird’s-eye view of all the unpredictable events of the journey, from treasure hunting in the New World to contending against the Spanish Armada.

However, it is Bergreen’s portrayal of his real-life characters that brings this story alive. Drake in particular is given a multidimensional treatment. Bergreen does not shy away from his less than savoury past, including piracy and slave trading.

In Search Of A Kingdom is an immensely stimulating read that leaves you fully immersed in the Elizabethan Age. Despite being a very select moment of history, both history buffs and novices alike will enjoy this book. Packed with high-seas drama that wouldn’t be out of place in your favourite childhood tales, this is a read that won’t disappoint.