This history chronicles the extraordinary life of William Phipps, from humble beginnings to knighthood for recovering Spanish treasure. His relentless ambition propelled him to wealth and influence in 17th-century Boston. But his forceful governorship of the Massachusetts Bay province and his opposition to the Salem witch trials created enemies, ultimately leading to his premature death in London.

This is an interesting and well-written book. I wish it had focused more on Phipps and less on the English Civil War. Maybe the problem is the title; this isn’t a biography of Phipps so much as a history of the clash of cultures between the Puritans and the outside world, as embodied in Phipps.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Early Life*
William was born on February 2, 1651, in Woolwich, Maine, to James and Mary Phips, and was raised in a large, humble family. He had limited formal education.

*Career*
William worked as a shipbuilder and navigator in Boston, Massachusetts.
He led an expedition to the Caribbean in 1683 to search for treasure. In 1687, he discovered a Spanish treasure fleet, including the Nuestra Señora de Concepción. He used a diving bell to salvage the treasure.He then returned to Boston with a significant portion of the treasure, earning him wealth and fame.

He was commissioned as a naval officer by King James II in 1688. He led expeditions against French colonies in Canada, including the Siege of Port Royal in 1690. He was appointed as the governor of Massachusetts in 1692

*Role in the Salem Witch Trials*
William initially supported the Salem witch trials, which led to the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft, but then he later opposed the trials, recognising the hysteria and false accusations. He then established a special court to oversee the remaining cases, which eventually dismissed many of the charges.

*Personal Life and Death*
William married widow Mary Spencer Hull, and although they had no children together, they adopted Spencer Bennett, the son of Mary's sister, Rebecca.Spencer formally took the Phips name in 1716.He went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, including two periods as acting governor.
William died on February 18, 1695, in London, England, before his charges were heard.

*Legacy*
William left behind a complex legacy. He made significant contributions to the development of Massachusetts, including the establishment of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. He was remembered as a hero for his role in the treasure hunt and his military expeditions.

William made a lot of enemies over the course of his lifetime.These were mainly due to disputes over treasure and wealth. He was also criticised for his conduct in military expeditions and conflicts,which negatively impacted Native Americans, how he viewed and presided over the Salem Witch Trials, and his politics and governance.