Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main

This nineteenth century historical novel concerns the adventures of swashbuckling young hero Ned Hearne, who seems to be able to achieve anything and survive any experience, alongside various of his three friends, travelling with Francis Drake on his circumnavigation of the globe. Ned faces down jealous crewmates, sharks, American Indians (sic), other native populations, and numerous Spaniards, including members of the Inquisition. The author makes some attempt to show the complexity of history and how non-English groups perceive English actions, though there are still many stereotypes of the time with regard to heroic Englishmen against evil Spaniards, and primitive and savage natives and negroes. None of this is to criticise Henty - show more he was a man of his times, and there is a depth to parts of this novel lacking in some similar ones written around the same time. It is mostly good swashbuckling fun, though a bit repetitive in places. show less

My children said they would rather listen to this than watch a movie. Kept their attention and was entertaining. (We have the MP3 by Jim Hodges.)

A tale of the Spanish Main. Originally published in 1882.