Product Description

Cook led three famous expeditions to the Pacific Ocean between 1768 and 1779. In voyages that ranged from the Antarctic circle to the Arctic Sea, Cook charted Australia and the whole coast of New Zealand, and brought back detailed descriptions of the natural history of the Pacific. Accounts based on Cook's journals were issued at the time, but it was not until this century that the original journals were published in Beaglehole's definitive edition. The JOURNALS tells the story of these voyages as Cook wanted it to be told, radiating the ambition, courage and skill which enabled him to carry out an unrivalled series of expeditions in dangerous waters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51023 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 672 pages

From the Publisher
This classic edition of Cook's journals, taken from the originalmanuscripts, improves on previous editions by incorporating into its rightful place the rare 'Cook and the Russians' pamphlet, and by its use of re-originated maps and artwork, and thus provides for the first time the definitive and complete version of Cook's Journals. A reliable and authoritative text, its republication has been warmly and widely welcomed. The volumes contain Cook's accounts of his three great voyages of discovery in the Endeavour and the Resolution; introductions and detailed notes accompany the texts, providing necessary identifications and references, and giving additional information from other sources supplementing Cook's account. More extended extracts from the journals of Cook's shipmates are printed as appendices. A separate portfolio (included) contains the manuscript charts and views drawn by Cook and his officers, which he regarded as an essential complement to his Journals.

About the Author
Captain James Cook (1728-79) was born in Yorkshire and after an apprenticeship at a shipowners, joined the navy in 1755. Philip Edwards (now retired) has been a professor of English Literature at Trinity College, Dublin, and the universities of Liverpool and Essex. He has written widely on Shakespeare and on the literature of voyages.

Customer Reviews

Take Part In A Voyage Of Discovery
This is a fantastic book... adventure, geography, science and history all rolled into one. It really is a unique experience to be able to read the words written during voyages that changed the worlds understanding of the Pacific and the globe in general. Do not read it however expecting a work of art in terms of the English language. Captain Cook did not write for a living, and sometimes sections of the book are hard going to the reader. However that is surely a small price to pay for a vivid first hand description from the man himself. I found it particullary interesting to read about Australia and New Zealand as they were, and before colonisation had begun. Cook is to Australians, as Colombus is to Americans. Buy it now......

Shiver me timbers! What a great read it was.
I first came across these diaries when I read a quote from them on the internet somewhere. Until that point I didn't even realise Captain Cook had wrote a diary, and once I found out I was soon on Amazon ordering a copy. It was suprisingly easy to read considering it was wrote in the late 1700's, and theres nothing better in my opinion than personal accounts. It's a fascinating read, from their travels in the freezing, silent Antartic waters, to their sailing between the pacific islands, as scores of canoes come out to greet them and welcome them ashore. Theres hundreds of events, comments etc in the book, that will make you laugh, teach you something new or have you re-reading the sentence in disbelief and that to me is the sign of a really good book.