John Steinbeck's first novel, published in 1929, is a work of romanticized historical fiction and allegory based loosely on the life of 17th-century privateer Sir Henry Morgan. The story begins with a young Henry on a Welsh farm as he is inspired by the colorful tales of a returning pirate to leave home and seek his fortune in the West Indies. As he rises to become a famous buccaneer captain, Morgan pursues two ultimate prizes: the vast riches of Panama City, known as the "Cup of Gold," and the legendary "Red Saint," a woman rumored to be fairer than the sun. The novel chronicles Morgan's successful assault and sacking of the city, culminating in his pursuit of the elusive woman he covets. Ultimately, the story concludes with the pirate's surprising return to England, where his career ends with a royal knighthood and a new role in disciplining other buccaneers. A Cup of Gold leads readers on a romantic adventure full of idealism and disillusionment while still pointing subtly towards the realism and moral scrutiny that would suffuse Steinbeck's later works, most notably Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath.

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