The Pirate Queen

Many biographies have been written about Queen Elizabeth I of England. They focus on her struggle for the throne and personal affairs, but Elizabeth's remarkable financial acumen has been sorely neglected. During her long reign, she turned an economically weak country, overshadowed by France and Spain, into a powerful empire. And the cornerstone of England's financial recovery was privateering, also known as piracy.

In the fascinating revisionist biography The Pirate Queen, historian Susan Ronald draws on more than a thousand original manuscripts and personal letters to explore how, in a carefully choreographed plan, British ships plundered rich cargoes and secured territory in the name of the Crown. This is a story about power and greed, but also about survival; without Elizabeth's foresight and determination, it is entirely possible that not only England but also the English language would have been absorbed by its enemies. The Pirate Queen is an entertaining and enlightening look at the woman who laid the economic foundation of the British Empire.

Susan Ronald, author of The Sancy Blood Diamond, has consulted for five British government departments and The National Trust. Born and raised in the United States, she has lived in England for more than twenty years.

A highly colorful, swashbuckling read, one that will give you new respect for Britain's first Elizabeth. — Seattle Times