When young Francis Drake looked at sailing ships in England's Plymouth harbor, he dreamed of sailing the seas himself. How he put that dream into action is one of the world's great sea stories.

For Queen and Country he challenged mighty Spain. Boldly, he sailed the Spanish Main the New World. Matching his little ships against powerful Spanish galleons, he captured their rich cargoes of gold and silver for Queen Elizabeth.

Aboard the Golden Hind, his Queen honored her loyal subject with knighthood. He was to be called Sir Francis Drake—the first Englishman to sail around the world.

But more adventure lay ahead! How Sir Francis saved England from Spain's Invincible Armada is another part of this vivid story. John Foster writes with terseness and flavor in this rich biography of one of the truly great world explorers.

From the dust jacket