What would you do if you thought your backyard held a piece of lost history?
For Robert L. Stupack, that question became a reality in the summer of 2000. What started with a glimmering green rock turned into a decades-long investigation that would challenge everything we thought we knew about Sir Francis Drake’s journey along the California coast.
His book, Nova Albion and the Treasure of Sir Francis Drake reads like the plot of a historical thriller. But what is described in the book is not a hoax or a made-up story of an adventure. It is all true. With a mix of raw personal narrative and investigative rigor, Stupack reveals how Larkspur Landing and Greenbrae Ridge may have been the actual site of Drake’s 1579 landing. This event marked the first English claim in what would become the United States of America.
At the center of the mystery lies the Plate of Brass, a long-contested artifact allegedly left by Drake to claim the land in the name of Queen Elizabeth I. Thought to be a hoax since the 1970s, Stupack’s findings suggest otherwise. By analyzing metallurgical data, exploring inconsistencies in academic narratives, and even locating a set of tools used to forge the Plate, he builds a compelling case that the Plate was real. He further argues that powerful institutions have gone to great lengths to conceal that fact.
The book is a gripping mix of historical deep dives, thrilling excavation scenes, and moments of existential introspection. As readers, we follow Stupack into the tunnels he dug with jackhammers under his own home, where traps and cave-ins nearly cost him his life. The detail he provides is immersive. Whether it is layers of colored soil, strategically placed stones, or the haunting absence of Miwok burial sites, all contribute to the eerie authenticity of his claims.
Beyond the physical and academic challenges, Stupack faced legal threats, community backlash, and personal sacrifice. Yet his resolve never wavered. What kept him going wasn’t just the idea of treasure but the pursuit of truth. It was his growing belief that history needed to be corrected.
This is not a dry academic treatise. It’s a passionate, honest, and deeply personal book that makes history feel urgent and alive. Stupack is not a professor or a seasoned archaeologist. He is a curious, relentless individual who dared to ask, “What if?” And then did the work to find out.
Nova Albion and the Treasure of Sir Francis Drake isn’t just about gold or lost ships. It’s about legacy, truth, and the powerful idea that sometimes, the real treasure lies in uncovering the stories we were never supposed to know.
Whether you’re a fan of history, true crime, exploration, or just an incredible story well told, this book delivers. It’s a tribute to the dreamers, the diggers, and the truth-seekers. This book is proof that even in our own backyards, there’s more to discover than we ever imagined.
Suppose you’re interested in learning the whole story and experiencing the thrill and mystery of this adventure. You should definitely read Nova Albion and the Treasure of Sir Francis Drake.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1917238312.