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|  | |  | | | The Journals of Captain Cook (Penguin Classics) | | | | | SKU:
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Usually ships in 1 business days | | | | | | 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. | | | |
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| | Product Details | | Author: | James R. Cook | | Paperback: | 672 pages | | Publisher: | Penguin Classics | | Publication Date: | April 01, 2000 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0140436472 | | Product Length: | 7.66 inches | | Product Width: | 5.38 inches | | Product Height: | 1.22 inches | | Product Weight: | 1.05 pounds | | Package Length: | 7.72 inches | | Package Width: | 5.04 inches | | Package Height: | 1.26 inches | | Package Weight: | 1.01 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 7 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 7 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 46 found the following review helpful:
 A detailed account of Cook's voyages Apr 05, 2001
By Fred Camfield
This well prepared abridged edition of Captain James Cook's journals is a specialized book of interest to people studying the exploration of the Pacific and/or the British Navy of that time period. Other people might find sections of it dry reading. The book is recommended for oceanography students as the 17th century voyages of exploration formed the basis for later oceanographic cruises.
Cook's voyages carried scientific personnel of that time period, many of whom died from the harsh conditions along with members of the crews. In addition to bad weather, there were diseases and hostile natives (including cannibals). Extensive charting was carried out and, on the second voyage, the Board of Longitude supplied Cook with Larcum Kendall's copy of John Harrison's H4 watch for determining longitude. Observations were made of prevailing winds, currents, temperature, and other things of scientific interest.
Natives throughout the Pacific would go to great lengths to obtain iron, expecially axes, even prostituting their wives and daughters (willing or not). Natives would attempt to steal items, if they could, leading to numerous confrontations including one in which a boat crew of the Adventure (the consort ship of the second voyage) were killed and eaten by the Maori natives of New Zealand.
Cook's journal ended several weeks before his death. The editor fills in details from journals of other people who were on the voyage, and speculates on the reason he was killed by the natives in Hawaii.
The book includes maps of Cook's routes on his voyages. It also has an index listing the names of the various individuals mentioned, with an indication of their positions on the voyages or their other positions if they were not active participants. While the index mentions the later careers of a few individuals like William Bligh, it makes no mention of John Gore's career (he is listed in the Wikipedia as having died in 1790).
14 of 17 found the following review helpful:
READ THIS ALONGSIDE RICHARD HOUGH'S BIOGRAPHY Jun 05, 2003
This is a spectacularly interesting journal. Cook was an odd sort, that's for sure. But a genius? I'd certainly say so after reading his often-daily account of his activities. Really neat book.
19 of 24 found the following review helpful:
 Cook Lite Apr 04, 2005
By M. A. G. Burch
I wish I had read the reviews before paying for this. The key word for this edition is ABRIDGED. According to the editor Philip Edward's introduction, only about a third of Cook's/Beaglehole's text is included.
16 of 21 found the following review helpful:
A classic re-launched Jul 18, 2000
This re-issue of the Beaglehole edition of the Cook journals attests to the enduring importance of Cook as the exemplar navigator and Beaglehole as his nautical Boswell.The writing is elegant and subtle and the fascination of the recital enduring. Best there is no other!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A blunt and human man May 01, 2011
By John the Reader
"John"
Extracted from both his journals, kept by Royal Naval law, and his logs; this accounts reflect the bluntly honest man in his heroic ventures. Coming `up through the hawsepipe' - starting as a hand on a coastal collier - to become a Naval Captain indicates the strength of that character, what surprises is his lack of the prejudices of his time. His many trips of exploration around the oceans obviously broadened his horizons well beyond his time. And his sheer ability - particularly in mapping and charting those seas induced the Navy to give him commands above his supposed `station in life''.
Some of the Endeavors chart's remain in use in this century - a fitting tribute to this meticulous man and his work.
See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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