Francis Drake: The Lives of a Hero

by John Cummins

This is a full-blooded and absorbing portrait, based on research in English and Spanish archives, of the greatest seaman of the Elizabethan age. From his family's fierce Protestantism and early poverty which drove Drake to sea while still a boy until his death at sea in 1596, it was a life of drama in which opportunism, courage, greed, religion, international politics and luck all played their part alongside the sailing skill and navigational brilliance of the first man to sail his ship all the way around the world.

This book presents Drake through the accounts of friend and enemy on both the national and personal level. His naval battles and audacious piratical raids on Spain's empire and shipping are described using eye-witness accounts from Spanish and English, and his stormy personal relationships reveal a man whose distrust of colleagues contrasted with a generosity of spirit which was a source of wonder to his enemies. John Cummins ends by looking at Drake's posthumous legend and its inspirational role throughout later centuries.

Genres: Biography, History

348 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 1995

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven biography, largely due to the historical gaps in Drake's life. Large discussion at the end about Drake's impact throughout history, which seems less needed than a deeper discussion about his impact during his own life.

[Christopher Griffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis Drake was a fascinating historical character. Born a commoner, he was an opportunist, an adventurer, but most of all he was an entrepreneur. A few fascinating notes from this biography: Drake was at one time a slave trader but seemed to find the profession distasteful and eventually moved into a much more honorable career as a corsair! His first mate was a black, escaped slave. A lover of plunder, Drake was not surprisingly criticized for raiding Spanish shipping during the destruction of the vaunted Spanish Armada when he was supposed to be doing more relevant things such as sinking ships. Can't blame the guy for trying to skim a little off the top!

Drake's circumnavigation of the world is also covered in detail. I can't help but wonder what a man of his inclinations would do in the modern world.

[Mhbright · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author discusses both the myth of the game of bowls and the myth of the drum, the subject of Sir Henry Newbolt's great poem. I'll keep on believing.