The Queen's Pirate: Sir Francis Drake

by Kevin Jackson

For more than four centuries, Sir Francis Drake has been world-famous for his feats as a master mariner – the captain who “singed the King of Spain’s beard” with his daredevil attack on the fleet at Cadiz, and who led the British Navy to victory against the Spanish Armada in 1588. But Drake’s exploits in his earlier years, though less well known, are even more remarkable. Born into a poor, obscure family, he worked his way rapidly up in the maritime world to his first captaincy. Before long, he was the most successful of all English pirates, admired by his countrymen, hated and feared by the Spanish. Queen Elizabeth and her ministers saw the potential in this rough-mannered but enterprising young man, and gave him their blessing for the first British venture into the Pacific Ocean. This success of this voyage, which lasted for three years, exceeded their wildest hopes. Not only did Drake come home with a vast treasure of captured gold, silver and jewels; he became the first man ever to circumnavigate the globe in a single mission, and bring most of his crew home alive and well. Soon after his triumphant return, Elizabeth knighted this newly rich adventurer, and gave her blessing to his acts of pillage. It was a gesture that made war with Spain inevitable. And Drake’s part in the coming war changed the course of world history. SIR FRANCIS THE QUEEN’S PIRATE tells the extraordinary story of Drake’s early years and his journey around the world on his famous ship, the Golden Hind.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maritime, Biography, 16th Century

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2016

About the author

There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Kevin Jackson's childhood ambition was to be a vampire but instead he became the last living polymath. His colossal expertise ranged from Seneca to Sugababes, with a special interest in the occult, Ruskin, take-away food, Dante's Inferno and the moose. He was the author of numerous books on numerous subjects, including Fast: Feasting on the Streets of London (Portobello 2006), and reviewed regularly for the Sunday Times.
From: http://portobellobooks.com/3014/Kevin...

Kevin Jackson was an English writer, broadcaster and filmmaker.

He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After teaching in the English Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, he joined the BBC, first as a producer in radio and then as a director of short documentaries for television. In 1987 he was recruited to the Arts pages of The Independent. He was a freelance writer from the early 1990s and was a regular contributor to BBC radio discussion programmes.

Jackson often collaborated on projects in various media: with, among others, the film-maker Kevin Macdonald, with the cartoonist Hunt Emerson, with the musician and composer Colin Minchin (with whom he wrote lyrics for the rock opera Bite); and with the songwriter Peter Blegvad.

Jackson appears, under his own name, as a semi-fictional character in Iain Sinclair's account of a pedestrian journey around the M25, London Orbital.

Adapted from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Stacy Croushorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short read

Good overview of Drake’s life until his return from his round the world trip. Lots of detail about his journey.

[Samantha Matherne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, the book sounded to be an overview of Drake’s life and mainly his circumnavigation trip. That is exactly what it is. I found it to be on the whole entertaining. The adventures of Drake and his men were riveting to the point that I hardly found myself putting the book down. I would love to give it 5 Stars, but the handful of typographical errors keep me from that. Those should have been found, even with it being a Kindle Single. Also, while a few quotes from firsthand accounts are found throughout the book, I feel much excitement could be added to the reading with more of those quotes to put us in the sailors’ shoes.

[Carol A Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fawning biography, not a serious study

I love reading history, for what happened before provides context for who we are. This short work is informative,, yet unsatisfying. Where is the meat of Drake's life that I can hold onto? It is interesting to read how Drake treated his captive prisoners, but there is so much more to be learned.

Kevin Jackson opened the buffet of knowledge, yet left me with half a bagel

[Marianne Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to step out of my norm and read a historical book. I chose this book only because I had stayed at a hotel named “The Sir Francis Drake”; I knew nothing about this historical figure before this read. It’s a well written, easy read that kept my interest (unlike many other historical books that put me fast to sleep). The author touches on the historical accounts of Drake exploits making them interesting, yet not too in-depth to the point of boredom.

[John Burnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, fun, informative romp

Well sourced story of Drake’s early exploits and circumnavigation. Using the stories of direct observers, the authors paints a more human image of Drake than others I’ve read. Mostly depicting Drake as a hero, his more erratic tendencies are shown as well.

Smooth writing make this a fairly quick read that I, personally, got a lot out of. Thanks!

[x x x · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another way more interesting person

It is a very good history of a very interesting figure. Luke so many of our historical figures; Drake is more fun fleshed out rather than the colder stern Visage of education.

[Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but effective

Focused primarily on Drake's circumnavigation of the glove, this potty little book does a nice job assuming up Drake's early life and laying the foundation of his eventual game.

[Matt S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid read

This account is brief but a solid reminder of how Drake had adventures that were amazing for the time and not as widely remembered as his latest exploits. He was a pioneer and pirate yet he helped lay the foundation for the rise of the English Empire. Enjoyed it.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple narrative of Drakes adventures as a pirate at sea. I was hoping for a little more insight. It reminded me of a young peoples book. As a plus I finished it in two reading session. It might be the perfect summer beach read if you want non-fiction.

[Mark Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentleman pirate

I gave this book only 4 stars due to it's brevity, and that it covered only an abbreviated portion of Drake's life. However it was an interesting portrayal of a most interesting voyage and a most interesting character from the annals of history.

[bernard pringle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A skip through his life

A patchy review of his life,it's a shame because it could be so good but probably too much research needed.it could at least of covered the fight with the Spanish armada.

[MR C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable but misses out much but certainly a better take on the man than rather unfair depiction of a greedy, ruthless slave trader which is the current politically correct view. Diego and Maria are unexplainable omitted. Overall a good read for the price especially if new to the topic

[Pat Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting , easy read

Linguistically simple for a long bus ride. I didn’t know much about Drake so was a good refresher. Ok read

[david sinclair-smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Compact, exciting and vivid tales of Drakes extraordinary career. Well written description of his character and his extraordinary considerate nature.

[Jeff Messman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, not a complete autobiography, just up to his circumnavigation around the world. Hints at his involvement against the Spanish Armada.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but well researched account of Drake’s escapades and circumnavigation prior to his knighthood and heroics in war with Spain

[Mark Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable insight into Drake's early career and how he came to be the 2nd person to circumnavigate the globe.

[Robert Thoreson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative about Sir Francis Drake

It was a very good read. Not too long but very informative. If you’re interested in pirates and stories of 16th century this is worth it.

[Nonni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting.learned a lot in an enjoyable way.

[Larry Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun historical romp

Book is written well enough and well researched. Learnt a bit more about Drake’s pirating years. Book’s timeline ends before the war with Spain.

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Queens Pirate

An abrupt ending, left hanging… Whatever happened to Drake? Surely there had to be far more to add to this book about his life?

[Don Garnand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history

If you're looking to learn more about Drake this is a good read. It tells of the opening of the Pacific.

[Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Ok, I learned stuff, but it's not really a history book, just a brief biography really