Product Description

A uniquely woven story encompassing three separate centuries and three different lives. Captain Cook, best known for his heroic voyages through the Pacific Ocean, is brought to life in vivid detail. We follow his humble beginnings as the son of a farm labourer, through his convention-shattering treatment of the indigenous groups he met on his travels, and then onto his final tragic voyage which signalled the end of his revered reputation. One hundred years on from the death of Cook, another great man, George Collingridge begins his own adventure. He, like Cook was oblivious to the implications his journey would have. Along the way he unfolds ancient maps, secret tales and unearths hidden lands and buried treasure. He is also said to have realised that it was not Cook who discovered Australia - it was the Portugese. This firm belief was the eventual cause of his self-destruction. Another hundred years later Vanessa Collingridge, is searching for books on her lifelong hero Captain Cook in a university library. She discovers the name of a distant cousin, George Collingridge, in a dusty card index. And so a new journey of discovery begins - in the footsteps of her hero and his nemesis.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #249079 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review
'Assured, thorough and perceptive investigating', The Scotsman .'Enthralling', Sunday Times .'A vivid, absorbing account of the great explorer...animated by his biographer's passion for the humbly-born Yorkshireman', Independent

Sunday Times Culture Section
‘Her journey to learn the truth about Cook and Collingridge has produced an account that is part-biography, part-travelogue and extremely engaging.’

Financial Times
Collingridge has managed a nicely crafted study of two extraordinary lives, and her story is told with pace and confidence.

Customer Reviews

Captain Cook
An excellent read - superbly written, full of the excitement and adventure that Cook experienced for himself. Far from being a book of just historical facts, Collingridge brings Cook to life and you feel the determination of the man. I would recommend this to not just those who enjoy the stories of the world's explorers but anyone looking for a top quality read.

The greatest Yorkshireman?
Cook went from being a farm worker's son in Yorkshire to being a Royal Navy captain who three great voyages of exploration charted more of the planet than anyone in history. But this book is not only about Cook but also a 19th century relative of the author who was not welcomed by Australian contemporaries for arguing that the Portuguese had got to Australia well before Cook.

Cook had only four years of formal schooling but became a Fellow of the Royal Society. He took advantage of the latest technology, the chronometer, to achieve his meticulous charting. He was a fine leader of men and cartographer but the author believes ill health contributed to a decline in his leadership and to his death at the hands of the Hawaiians. I do not believe this biography is hagiography. He is here warts and all. Mrs Cook. left by her husband for most of their married life, suffered also the loss of her children. Unfortunately she destroyed the family letters which would have told us so mush more about one of history's greatest sailors.

One small criticism. The book would be much improved by more maps of the voyages.

Hagiography
I didn't know much about Captain Cook so picked up the book. Full of good information for someone new to the topic. But the author praised Cook too exceedingly. She didn't address his home life sufficiently, or his descent into unpredictable behaviour. I didn't get a picture of the man - even though that was her stated goal in the introduction.

Overall, it was interesting but didn't dig deep enough.