Westward Ho! - Softcover

Beginning in the fictional seaport of Bideford Quay in Devon, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Charles Kingsley's monumental novel follows the fortunes of Amyas Leigh, a young man who sets sail on a life of adventure on the high seas. After battling pirates and treasure-hunting in the Caribbean, and setting out to rescue his beloved Rose Salterne, Amyas joins Sir Francis Drake as he prepares to face England's greatest threat - the Spanish Armada. Packed with drama, excitement and romance "Westward Ho!" is a magnificent celebration of an age of exploration, discovery and conquest. More than this, however, the novel also draws parallels between Elizabethan England and mid-nineteenth century Britain, when many feared imminent invasion by the French under their Catholic emperor Louis Napoleon. Included is an insightful introduction by historical writer Malcolm Day.

CHARLES KINGSLEY, best-known to modern readers as the author of The Water Babies, was born at Holne, Dartmoor in 1819. After studying at Magdalene College, Cambridge, he was ordained and became rector at Eversley, Hampshire. Well known as a Christian Socialist who did much to improve the lot of the working class, Kingsley was also for a time professor of Modern History at Cambridge and chaplain to Queen Victoria.MALCOLM DAY is an author and editor of books on history and religion, including recently, 'Voices from the World of Jane Austen'. He used to work as an editor for Reader's Digest General Books and now devotes most of his time to writing. He lives on Dartmoor and is married with three young children.