A Short History of the Royal Navy, 1217-1688 (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

Beginning with the medieval navy, this popular history traces the rise of British sea power through the time of the Tudors to the Revolution of 1688, when King James II was overthrown. It covers the reign of Elizabeth, the Spanish Armada, the English Civil War, the Dutch Wars, and the Algerine pirates—in an enjoyable yet informative way.