In his Introduction to this life of Sir Walter Raleigh, told in eleven stories, John Buchan writes 'Sir Walter Raleigh is the most boyish hero in history. Till his head fell on the block he never lost his eager, generous interest in life. He was planning great adventures when other men are dull and middle-aged.' Born in 1552, Raleigh was a man who took risks. Buchan admires this and covers his career as a brilliant courtier, soldier, sailor, great discoverer, statesman and scholar. He follows Raleigh's progress from favourite of Elizabeth I to his fall from grace under James I, along with his three expeditions to America, and his failed expedition to the Orinoco in search of a goldmine which led to his execution in 1618.