Product Description

In Cook's relatively short and adventurous life (1728-79) he voyaged to the eastern and western seaboards of North America, the North and South Pacific and the Arctic and Antarctic bringing about a new comprehension of the world's geography and its people's. He was the linking figure between the grey specualtion of the early eighteenth century and the industrial age of the first half of the nineteenth century.

Richard Hough's biograpahy is full of new insights and interpretations of one of the world's greatest mariners.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36719 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 512 pages

Terry Waite, The Sunday Times
'Highly readable'

Review
'Highly readable' (Terry Waite, The Sunday Times )

'Richard Hough's biography is as fascinating as it is felicitous in style and entertaining in content' (Field Marshal Lord Carver, The Sunday Telegraph )

'Hough tells the story with skill to give a convincing smell of the sea' (Flora Fraser, The Times )

'Captain James Cook does handsome justice to the navigator' (Ian Thomson, The Independent )

Flora Fraser, The Times
'Hough tells the story with skill to give a convincing smell of the sea'

Customer Reviews

The best account of Cook's Voyages
Having read several account of the voyages Captain James Cook, I can without hesitation state that this is by far the superior of a generally excellent crop. The late Richard Hough ably captures the spirit of the age of exploration as well as producing a brilliant account of this exceptional man.

Hough also manages to hook the reader with the details of his major voyages of discovery. Not only are the pitfalls of sailing the pacific with a crew of less than perfect men discussed but also various incidents involving those joining himn on the voyage, botanists and artists among them Joseph Banks.

Unlike some of the drier biographies of Cook this reads more like a novel, yet still manages to remain true to the original sources, without the need felt by some to make sweeping gestures based on little evidence.

Where Hough really excels though is in getting across the spirit of excitement that must have been felt by both Cook and his men during these voyages. Whether it was meeting new groups among the islands or fighting off a group of Maori warriors the reader feels close to the action, and this is rare in such a well researched book. And Cook's death is handled superbly well, and by the end of the brutal attack I was left feeling emotional, another rarity in a historical biography.

I am planning to reread this book and would recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in exploration. Even if generally you find history off putting this is one book I believe anyone can read and enjoy.

Fascinating, especially if you've been to Oz or NZ
This is an extremely readable and interesting account of Cook's life quoting from his journal and that of others on his voyages. It conjures up the discoveries of places and peoples new to the British, the meeting of different cultures and his achievements as a navigator and leader. It is great to learn how the names of places now familiar in Australia and New Zealand were decided upon as he mapped them. The insight into life on ships at that time and the organisation of the voyages is fascinating.

A Good Introduction To The Life Of Captain Cook
I read this book after having read the Penguin edition of "The Journals Of Captain Cook". The journals were Cook's own written record of his 3 epic voyages into the Pacific and reading his first hands accounts proved fascinating. However while I was more than familiar with these events I had no real knowledge of how he came to join the navy or what events shaped the man.

This is where this book came in useful. It is a well written and pleasant read and an ideal introduction to the life of one of the worlds greatest explorers. It covers his early life, showing us how he went from coal ships in Yorkshire to the Royal Navy, where his skills were soon recognised as a result of his service in North America. Then we are taken through the voyages that would really make his name. These take up the majority of the book which is to be expected and provide a superb insight into the magnitude of Cook's achievements for science, geography and the human instinct to explore. For those who want a good summary and a story of discovery then this is ideal.