The Pirate Queen: Queen Elizabeth I, Her Pirate Adventurers, and the Dawn of Empire

Ronald, Susan

ISBN 10: 1400105331 ISBN 13: 9781400105335

Publisher: Tantor Audio, 2007

Synopsis

Dubbed the "pirate queen" by the Vatican and Spain's Philip II, Elizabeth I was feared and admired by her enemies. Extravagant, whimsical, and hot-tempered, Elizabeth was the epitome of power. Her visionary accomplishments were made possible by her daring merchants, gifted rapscallion adventurers, astronomer philosophers, and her stalwart Privy Council, including Sir William Cecil, Sir Francis Walsingham, and Sir Nicholas Bacon. All these men contributed their vast genius, power, greed, and expertise to the advancement of England.

In The Pirate Queen, historian Susan Ronald offers a fresh look at Elizabeth I, focusing on her uncanny instinct for financial survival and the superior intellect that propelled and sustained her rise. The foundation of Elizabeth's empire was built on a carefully choreographed strategy whereby piracy transformed England from an impoverished state on the fringes of Europe into the first building block of an empire that covered two-fifths of the world.

Based on a wealth of historical sources and thousands of personal letters between Elizabeth and her merchant adventurers, advisers, and royal "cousins," The Pirate Queen tells the thrilling story of Elizabeth and the swashbuckling mariners who terrorized the seas, planted the seedlings of an empire, and amassed great wealth for themselves and the Crown.

About this title

About the Author:

Born and raised in the United States, Susan Ronald is a British-American biographer and historian. The author of several books, including A Dangerous Woman, Hitler's Art Thief, and Heretic Queen, she lives in rural England with her writer husband.

From AudioFile:

Susan Ronald has written a rich, detailed account of Queen Elizabeth IÕs reign as it related to commerce, economy, and politics. The author chronicles the important actions Elizabeth took for the purpose of ensuring the safety and security of her people, preventing religious civil war within her borders, and increasing the kingdomÕs coffers. Narrator Josephine BaileyÕs British voice is clear and concise, and she enunciates well. However, her reading of this meticulous text is somewhat flat. The pacing seems rushed--with not enough pauses to create the needed emphasis. Nonetheless, BaileyÕs characterizations of quotes from primary sources are paced well and help provide a vivid portrayal of the many personages of ElizabethÕs time. N.A.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Tantor Audio
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1400105331
• ISBN 13: 9781400105335
• Binding: Audio CD