The Spanish Armadas

by Winston Graham

The story of the Spanish Armada, sent crashing to destruction in stormy seas by English battleships, is one of the most famous and popular of British history. Philip II of Spain's crusade to conquer Protestant England was the culmination of an undeclared war between the two nations which had simmered for years. The dramatic destruction of the Spanish fleet by Howard, Drake and their men ensured that England kept her political and religious freedom - but it was not the end of the story. This history places the Spanish Armada in its true context, as the most spectacular of Spain's continued attempts to return England to Catholicism, first through friendship, then by marriage and finally through war. It explains that the 1588 battle was only one in a series of Spanish naval campaigns against England - it was not until the 17th century that peace was fully assured. Winston Graham, author of the Poldark novels, brings all his gifts as a storyteller to this fascinating work, making the momentous sea battles come to life and telling a tale of human hostility and passions.

Genres: History, European History, Military History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 1972

About the author

Winston Graham was an English novelist best known for the Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall, though he also wrote contemporary thrillers, period novels, short stories, non-fiction, and plays. Born in Victoria Park, Manchester, he moved to Perranporth, Cornwall in 1925 and lived there for 34 years. Graham published his first novel, The House with the Stained Glass Windows, in 1934 and married Jean Williamson in 1939, who inspired the character Demelza in Poldark. During World War II, he joined the Auxiliary Coastguard Service. Graham became a member of the Society of Authors in 1945, serving as chairman from 1967 to 1969, and was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, receiving an OBE in 1983. His Poldark series began with Ross Poldark in 1945 and concluded with Bella Poldark in 2002. He wrote 30 additional novels, short stories, and non-fiction works, including the acclaimed thriller Marnie, adapted by Alfred Hitchcock in 1964. Several other novels, including The Walking Stick and Fortune Is a Woman, were adapted for film. Graham also wrote plays, some adapted from his novels. His works have been translated into 31 languages, and his autobiography, Memoirs of a Private Man, was published posthumously in 2003.

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one at a cafe just west of Clark Street on Belmont Avenue's south side, a cafe which is gone now, but back then served as my hangout in what was then still a happening neighborhood. Larry and Sally lived just a few blocks east and north, so the custom was to go out to the cafe by bus in the early afternoon, read, then join them at their place in the evening.

Graham is mostly known as a popular novelist. It shows. The writing of this history of England's conflicts with Spain and of Spain's many attempts to bring the isle into its--and the Catholic--orbit is very well told and accompanied by some beautiful illustrations.

This would make a good gift book.

[Ryan Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a xmas present I can only assume was bought at a charity shop I thought this might make for a bit of a dry read, however I was pleasantly surprised! Most of the book moves at a nice pace and provides some good accounts of a period of British history that is often depicted inaccurately. Bit excessive on the listing of tonnages of boats at times...