Book of the Week | The Empire in the Storm (HarperCollins), by José Calvo Poyato

If there is one naval episode that confirms the proverbial saying “history is written by the victors,” it is the Spanish defeat off the British coast. Historian José Calvo Poyato revisits this event in El Imperio en la tormenta (The Empire in the Storm), a novel that transports us to the late 16th century, when the Spanish Monarchy and the England of Elizabeth I were vying for control of the seas and the balance of power in Europe.

The story begins in 1588, in Lisbon, with the preparations for Philip II’s Spanish Armada. Among its crew is Alonso de Sandoval, a young knight who sets sail in the hope of returning to marry Leonor de Mascarenhas. What begins as an expedition destined to change the course of history soon turns into a journey marked by battles, logistical difficulties, and storms. The fleet fails to achieve its goal of invading England and must begin its return journey along the coast of the British Isles. However, the story does not end there.

One of the novel’s greatest appeals is precisely that it shifts the focus to the English Counter-Armada of 1589. Convinced of her success against the Spanish expedition, Elizabeth I organizes a new offensive led by Francis Drake and John Norris. Its objectives are to attack the Spanish ships, capture La Coruña, and advance toward Lisbon to destabilize Philip II’s rule in Portugal. The operation ends in a resounding failure. The resistance in La Coruña—with María Pita as one of its most prominent figures—and the inability to achieve the objectives in Portugal turned that expedition into a much lesser-known episode in European naval history.

Calvo Poyato combines historical figures such as Philip II, Elizabeth I, Lope de Vega, Francis Drake, and María Pita with fictional characters in a narrative that alternates between intrigue, military strategy, and naval battles. The result is a novel that invites readers to look beyond the familiar story of the Spanish Armada and discover how propaganda, memory, and political interests have also shaped the way maritime history is told.

Where can I buy it? El Imperio en la tormenta*by José Calvo Poyato is published by HarperCollins, has 672 pages, and has a suggested retail price of 24.90 euros. Available in bookstores and online retailers.