Historical Fiction of Paul Jariabek

August 2023

Here is an archive of my historical fiction book reviews. Although I read broadly, I primarily enjoy reading historical fiction that is set in a period over 50-100 years ago. The traditional “cut off” point for historical fiction is 50 years or more, but to me, “historical” fiction should be older than I am.

Sir Francis Drake with his Coat Of Arms with the inscription of Sic Parvis Magna

Sic Parvis Magna Meaning

What does Sic Parvis Magna mean? This Latin motto — “greatness from small beginnings” — captures both the rise of Francis Drake and the driving theme of my historical fiction series. In this article, I explore the origin of the phrase, its connection to Drake’s coat of arms, and how the gaps in his early life invite both historical mystery and creative storytelling.

Historical Fiction Novel Sic Parvis Magna

The historical fiction novel Sic Parvis Magna is the coming of age story of Francis Drake—a farm boy before his notoriety as a pirate who spectacularly raided the Spanish Main, or his fame as a circumnavigator and bold admiral who “singed Phillip’s beard.”