VOYAGES OF CAPTAIN COOK - Hardcover

Cornish, Anthony

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844860604 ISBN 13: 9781844860609

Publisher: Conway, 2008

Synopsis

Captain James Cook is probably the most famous explorer of all time, and not without good reason. The three Pacific voyages of discovery he made between 1768 and 1779 set new standards in navigation, surveying and shipboard health; and he discovered and charted numerous lands, resulting in lasting trade and the development of British interests abroad. The interest and influence of the Royal Society in the expeditions meant that a group of scientists and artists accompanied Cook and his crew to record the people and places that they encountered. In turn, the samples they collected and catalogued, and the paintings and drawings they made not only advanced the botanical and natural sciences, but left us with a vivid visual reminder of those voyages. Many books have been written on the subject of Cook's voyages and his maritime career, but this is the first to approach them from the point of view of the reader with a healthy curiosity rather than a scholarly interest. Similarly, for someone who has been been inspired and intrigued by a visit to the Endeavour replica, or to one of the many museums devoted to Captain Cook, this is a concise and readable guide that pulls out the key questions and provides clear, engaging answers, detailing essential information on the many aspects of Cook's voyages. The 101 Questions and Answers structure is an ideal format for dealing with such diverse yet frequently-asked questions as: How many ships took part in the voyages? What were their names? What is a collier? What were Cook's secret instructions? Did Cook discover Antarctica? Who said "Ne plus ultra"? Where did Cook learn his surveying techniques? What was the transit of Venus? How did they measure longitude? Which voyage did the artist William Hodges accompany Captain Cook on? What is breadfruit? All these questions and many more are answered simply and accurately, employing contemporary paintings, charts and other images to illustrate each point where necessary.

About this title

Synopsis

Captain James Cook is probably the most famous explorer of all time, and not without good reason. The three Pacific voyages of discovery he made between 1768 and 1779 set new standards in navigation, surveying and shipboard health; he discovered and charted numerous lands; and due to the interest and influence of the Royal Society, a group of scientists and artists accompanied each expedition to record the people and places that they encountered. Their paintings and drawings not only advanced the botanical and natural sciences, but left us with a vivid visual reminder of those voyages.Many books have been written on the subject, but this is the first to approach it from the point of view of the visitor to the Endeavour replica, or the reader with a healthy curiosity rather than a scholarly interest, by pulling out the key questions and providing the essential information to each one. "The 101 Questions and Answers" structure is an ideal one in which to deal with such diverse questions as: How many ships took part in the voyages? What were their names? What is a collier? What were Cook's secret instructions? Did Cook discover Antarctica? Who said 'Ne plus ultra'?

Where did Cook learn his surveying techniques? What was the transit of Venus? How did they measure longitude? Which voyage did the artist William Hodges accompany? And what is breadfruit?This book is the latest title in the highly successful "101" series. It is fully illustrated with over 120 illustrations in colour and black and white.

Edition details

• Publisher: Conway
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844860604
• ISBN 13: 9781844860609
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112