The Shepherd of the Ocean: An Account of Sir Walter Ralegh and His Times

by Jack H. Adamson

Sir Walter Raleigh, an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularizing tobacco in England. This is an account of his expeditions, his knighthood, his imprisonment by Queen at the Tower of London, among others.

Genres: History, Biography

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors of this book were teaching English at the University of Utah at the time of publication and it shows. This biography of Ralegh not only includes a serious survey of his writings, but it is itself most beautifully written. Most impressive is the subtle wit which appears in almost every paragraph of the first chapters and sporadically throughout (one wonders if that is characteristic of one of the coauthors as some sections do lack it).

Unlike some biographies which include in their titles phrases like "and his times" this one does not stray far from its subject. There are no lengthy excurses into the sociological, political, historical or cultural backgrounds of his life, yet still it all made sense, enough information being provided seemlessly and with art to serve.

Quite shocking is the fact that this lively book apparently appeared simultaneously in the USA and the UK in 1969, but was not reissued. Far inferior studies appear again and again. Perhaps they had a poor agent.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I am giving the book 5 stars because my grandpa wrote it and I loved him immensely. And I have actually read it. However, you have to be a history buff to enjoy it. It is a biography of Sir Walter Raleigh. I never found the interest to read it until I visited the Tower of London (where Raleigh was imprisoned for a long time) and developed an interest in Elizabethan England.

[Jeff Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich biography of the man revealing the many facets of his personality. Well written; full of colorful adventures, as well as in-depth analyses of the poetry that Ralegh and many of the main players wrote.

[Denise DeRocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average but fun read about the end of Elizabethan England!