Much of the action takes place in England before the expedition sails and after the explorers return. The reader gets a good sense of Elizabethan politics and the excitement that exploration held for well-born adventurers. Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake, John White, Richard Hakluyt, and Thomas Hariot all have roles in the novel. The lowly-born Colin provides additional human interest, as he becomes a trusted aide to Grenville and a suitor to one of Grenville’s wards.

    The foremost epic poet, playwright, novelist and satirist of his age, he was also a forthright and vastly influential campaigner for social justice and progressive thinking, producing countless pamphlets, articles, books and letters, landing him in jail and exile. This selection is taken mainly from his prose non-fiction, but includes some letters.