In Search of a Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British Empire

Written by Laurence Bergreen

Narrated by Michael Page

In this grand and thrilling narrative, the acclaimed biographer of Magellan, Columbus, and Marco Polo brings alive the singular life and adventures of Sir Francis Drake, the pirate/explorer/admiral whose mastery of the seas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I changed the course of history

“Bergreen masterly portrays ... the swashbuckling life and times of the explorer who achieved what Magellan could not—and made England’s fortune in the process.” —Kirkus, STARRED review

Before he was secretly dispatched by Queen Elizabeth to circumnavigate the globe, or was called upon to save England from the Spanish Armada, Francis Drake was perhaps the most wanted–and successful–pirate ever to sail. Nicknamed ""El Draque"" by the Spaniards who placed a bounty on his head, the notorious red-haired, hot-tempered Drake pillaged galleons laden with New World gold and silver, stealing a vast fortune for his queen–and himself. For Elizabeth, Drake made the impossible real, serving as a crucial and brilliantly adaptable instrument of her ambitions to transform England from a third-rate island kingdom into a global imperial power.

In 1580, sailing on Elizabeth's covert orders, Drake became the first captain to circumnavigate the earth successfully. (Ferdinand Magellan had died in his attempt.) Part exploring expedition, part raiding mission, Drake's audacious around-the-world journey in the Golden Hind reached Patagonia, the Pacific Coast of present-day California and Oregon, the Spice Islands, Java, and Africa. Almost a decade later, Elizabeth called upon Drake again. As the devil-may-care vice admiral of the English fleet, Drake dramatically defeated the once-invincible Spanish Armada, spurring the British Empire’s ascent and permanently wounding its greatest rival. 

The relationship between Drake and Elizabeth is the missing link in our understanding of the rise of the British Empire, and its importance has not been fully described or appreciated. Framed around Drake’s key voyages as a window into this crucial moment in British history, In Search of a Kingdom is a rousing adventure narrative entwining epic historical themes with intimate passions.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9780062875396

Laurence Bergreen

LAURENCE BERGREEN is the bestselling author of Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe. His other books include Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492–1504; Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu; and Voyage to Mars: NASA’s Search for Life Beyond Earth. A graduate of Harvard, Bergreen lives in Manhattan.

Reviews for In Search of a Kingdom

[Dave Radlauer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Bergreen has found another stupendous tale of a world historical figure, innovator, explorer and military leader of his time. An unusually talented navigator, state-sponsored pirate and international rogue, he was pivotal in the emergence of England as a naval power.

His role as Queen Elizabeth’s cats paw is highlighted since their careers and success were intertwined if situational.

He effected the shattering defeat of the Spanish Armada. Though in truth the latter needed little prodding to defeat themselves.

The portrait is not as revealing of the underlying personality as some of this authors other biographies, perhaps because we have few private words of his own. Oddly, the portrait of Elizabeth is more intimate and also shows her role making possible all his exploits.

As with more than one Bergren title I am compelled to listen a second time and notice the excellence of the narrative and the narrator.

[Rob Anderson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really well written. What an amazing life Francis Drake had, and what a key time I'm British history.

[MaggieAnne Downing · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thoroughly engrossing and enlightening! Lays out the geopolitical effect of the Era of Exploration in a way I had not known before.

[Patrick McGlead · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author brilliantly brings to life the incredible relationship between Elizabeth the 1st and her Privateer , Sir Francis Drake .

[eduscapes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake to lesser-known scientific explorers and even an unknown mariner, a batch of new nonfiction works share previously overlooked stories set during the age of discovery. These titles expand our thinking about the people and missions that jumpstarted maritime travel and commerce.In Search of a Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British EmpireLaurence Bergreen, Mar 2021, Custom House, an imprint of Harper CollinsThemes: World history, Maritime history, British empire, Age of DiscoveryIN SEARCH OF A KINGDOM is an engaging nonfiction narrative exploring Francis Drake, his major voyages of exploration, and his relationship with Elizabeth I.Take-aways: Educators will find the relationships among the key players along with the specifics of Drake’s expeditions to be helpful in understanding the bigger picture of piracy, enslaved people, diplomacy, and the quest for fame and riches during this period.

[waldhaus1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Many details of Drakes life and the Spanish Armada I I hadn’t heard before. It was interesting to learn that Elizabeth I had small pox in the early years of her reign and that is why she wore heavy make up. Provocative gossip about the licentiousness of her court. New insights for me. Francis Drake has long been a heroic figure for me. I found it interesting to learn more of his background and exploits. I hadn’t realized the central contribution his piracy made to the financial solvency of the Elizabethan court.

[yukon92 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Somewhat long, boring, but still interesting look at the life of Francis Drake and his voyages.

[stbalbach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is hard to underestimate Drake's influence, he was first, and outrageously successful. One of the major figures of the 16th century. Bergreen tells the whole story with a primary focus on two big events: the circumnavigation of the world, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite being so privileged to have seen the world, it's geography, native cultures, flora and fauna, he returned home largely unchanged as a person and dedicated as ever to killing the Spanish. His influence as such is a secondary consequence of his actions - contrast with William Dampier a century later, whose writings and outlook changed the way the world sees. Bergreen reminds us that England was once a poor and secondary kingdom in a world dominated by Spain, and how it began to challenge Spain with Drake the tip of the spear. It's an old theme of pro-colonialism that seems tone deaf these days, but important to understand the context of how colonialism began - competition over global resources and culture.