Neil Hanson Book order (chronological)

In the summer of 1588, England's future hangs precariously as Philip II of Spain dreams of reclaiming it for the Catholic Church. He assembles a formidable fleet of massive galleons, while a seasoned Spanish army waits in the Netherlands, known for their brutality. In contrast, the English muster poorly trained men, armed with rudimentary weapons. Coastal beacons and watchmen stand ready, their hopes resting on the English Navy. However, the Spanish Armada is doomed from the outset. Once it engages the English fleet, its weaknesses become evident against superior tactics and firepower. The fleet suffers devastating losses from cannon fire and disease, forcing it to retreat. Over forty ships are wrecked on the Irish coast, where survivors face brutal fates. The ambition to conquer Protestant England collapses. This narrative, rich in historical detail and storytelling, draws from little-known personal papers to vividly depict the experiences of kings, queens, sea captains, and common sailors during these tumultuous months, illustrating how the fate of England teetered on the edge of disaster.

If the story that struck the Grand Banks off Newfoundland in October 1991 was The Perfect Storm, the fire that destroyed London in September 1666 was The Perfect Fire. A fire needs only three things: a spark to ignite it, and the fuel and oxygen to feed it. In 1666, a ten-month drought had turned London into a tinderbox. The older parts of the city were almost entirely composed of wood-frame buildings and shanties. The riverside wharves were stack with wood, coal, oil, tallow, hemp, pitch, brandy, and almost very other combustible material known to seventeenth century man. On 2 September 1666, London ignited. Over the next five days the gale blew without interruption and the resulting firestorm destroyed the whole city. THE DREADFUL JUDGEMENT tells the true, human story of the Great Fire of London through the eyes of the individuals caught up in it. It is a historical story combining modern knowledge of the physics of fire, forensics and arson investigation with the moving eye-witness accounts to produce a searing depiction of the terrible reality of the Great Fire of London and its impact on those who lived through it.

The True Story of $100 Million in Lost Russian Gold -and One Man's Lifelong Quest to Recover It Keith Jessop and Neil Hanson "Outstanding, inspiring, and beautifully told. No true tale of the sea makes better reading."-Clive Cussler Here is the true tale of a small-time salvage diver, the crushing depths of the sea, and the richest prize ever found-$100 million in pure gold. Follow salvage diver Keith Jessop as he battles nature, governments, traitors, salvage monopolies, and, of course, lawyers to claim the grand prize of wrecks-the HMS Edinburgh. Filled with ten tons of Russian gold, the ship had been sought by many, but never found. Through unyielding determination, extraordinary physical prowess, and keen intelligence, Keith Jessop risks all to reach his final destination, and keeps readers on the edge of their seats.