A Chronicle of Drake and his Companions
by William Wood
To truly understand the making of America, one should read this book! We don't often relate Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth with the United States, but Wood presents a compelling picture in this excitingly written volume of how America came to be the country it was primarily through the actions of Elizabeth and her "sea-dogs", Drake, Hawkins, et.al. Why Shakespeare? There is documentation that he was present at the sailing of one of the earliest colonizing voyages to America. Elizabeth, infuriated that the Pope had divided the new world between Spain and Portugal (mostly Spain) because of her father's departure from Catholic Rome's theology, sent her sea-dogs to harass and confound the ships of Spain and force a foothold in the New World. We all know how well they succeeded. In the process they substantially enriched her treasury. There is a fascinating chapter in this work on Elizabethan business. Even then there was maritime insurance, stock companies and subscription underwriters, and Elizabeth was one of the most prominent. The profit motive was busily at work even at the founding of America! In addition to the history of the age, there are some very fine descriptions of the battles and tactics of Drake and his confederates. Illustrated with one pocketed chart in colour.
HOME PAGE
