The Defeat of the Spanish Armada is a popular account of the political and military drama that unfolded in Western Europe in 1587 and 1588. It covers not just the events in Spain and England and at sea, but also those on the continent, most notably in France. Mattingly knows how to make the most of an exciting subject and builds his narrative around key episodes and individuals: many chapters are almost self-contained, making the volume an ideal one for piecemeal reading...