| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
" An exciting narrative. . . . Never before has actual battle been described in such detail and rarely with such flair." - "Los Angeles Times Book Review"
" Excellent. . . . Hanson does a good job of conveying the excitement and danger of the individual sea battles." " - Chicago Sun-Times
"" Brilliant. . . . Hanson is a meticulous historian and a compelling storyteller. This is one of those rare works of popular history that, like Alan Morehead's "The White Nile" or Barbara Tuchman's "The Guns of August," makes a half-remembered story from school seem both real and relevant." - "Newsday"
Book Description
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
This book is an interesting and very detailed account of the Spanish Armada during that year, a summer every bit as important as the Battle of Britain was in 1940. For, as in 1940 against the Germans, England was in peril of being invaded and subjugated by a foreign power.
It covers all the action in the English Channel, the failed Spanish attempt to link up with the Spanish army in the Spanish Netherlands and the Armada's subsequent wrecking on the way home.
English Queen Elizabeth's miserly attitude to the supply and provision of her ships and sailors is exposed too. Overall, she doesn't receive a very flattering portrait; coming across as distant from the action and somewhat greedy for Spanish booty in the way she pestered her sea captains. Not quite the legend we've come to believe...
Flamboyant and charismatic English heroes such as Francis Drake, John Hawkins and Lord Charles Howard are also mentioned and come off as far more attractive characters. They're talented and patriotic Englishmen who do all within their means to hinder the Spanish invasion, despite often having to fight against stubborn and ignorant superiors in the English government, far away in London.
The Spanish are also detailed in an unbiased way, giving us a much better understanding of their actions and decisions. Contrary to the simplified, popular history version of events, the Spanish weren't incompetent, but intelligent and resourceful soldiers and sailors. They tried their best in the circumstances, but were handicapped by an overly complex plan, dodgy weather, persistent English resistance and sheer bad luck!
The Armada's disastrous wrecking on the rocks of Ireland in late 1588 is also documented. After the Spanish fled the English Channel and the English Navy, they sailed around neutral Scotland and then many weakened ships were wrecked on the jagged rocks of eastern Ireland. The fate of these miserable wretches was being attacked by local Irish or occupying English soldiers who were fearful of an attempted Spanish landing.
The whole Ireland episode of quite sad really, for most Spaniards shipwrecked there were captured, robbed, killed, ransomed or otherwise harshly treated. But then again, it was war and if the Spanish had succeeded in landing in Kent with their huge invasion force, they'd have undoubtedly killed many Englishmen. So it has to be viewed within context...
This book also has illustrations of contemporary English playing cards, printed and sold after the Spanish Armada had failed to invade England and had limped home in a ruinous state. They interestingly portray various Armada scenes, but should be viewed within context as English propaganda; after all, England and Spain were at war.
Anyway, this book is an enthralling and engaging read for anyone wanting to know about King Phillip's attempt to invade and subdue England with his infamous 'Enterprise of England' in 1588.
In fact, I'd personally rate it as the best book I've read on the subject for its historical details and engaging writing style.
If you want a good book about this subject, buy this one as it's well worth a read...
It is a book with a grand scope. Neil Hanson has a thorough grasp of his subject, and writes with a clear narrative style that guides the reader through some tangled webs with great clarity. The book is well organised and structured, allowing the story to flow well.
As well as the history lesson this is an excellent and entertaining adventure story. History from this period is rich with great characters, from Queen Elizabeth, Francis Drake, Phillip II of Spain etc, etc. It is also rich with great tales of daring, adventure, piracy, sea battles and Machiavellian politics. Hanson paints both people and adventures vividly (but not luridly, there is always a thorough grounding in historical fact) and makes this a thrilling read.
I was especially interested in the descriptions of Elizabeth - used to the picture handed down by history it was fascinating to have a description of what lay behind the mask, and the lengths she went to protect her image.
An excellent history and a rip roaringly good read. In a world of dull, dry and lifeless history tests this really stands out as a good and instructive read. 5 stars.
His head is buried deep in the pages and he thinks it's brilliant.
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
