Sea of Dangers: Captain Cook and His Rivals in the South Pacific

Blainey, Geoffrey

ISBN 10: 1566638259 / ISBN 13: 9781566638258

Published by Ivan R. Dee Publisher, 2009

May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1566638259I4N00

Synopsis:

In 1769 two ships set out independently in search of a missing continent: a French merchant ship, the St. Jean-Baptiste, commanded by Jean de Surville, and a small British naval vessel, the Endeavour, commanded by Captain James Cook. That Christmas, in New Zealand waters, the two captains were almost within sight of each other, though neither knew of the others existence. This is the stirring tale of these rival ships and the men who sailed in them. Cooks first long voyage was one of the most remarkable in recorded history. He not only sailed around the world, following the most difficult route any navigator had ever attempted; he also changed the maps of the world. In heavy seas he made a more thorough search for the missing continent-believed to lie somewhere between New Zealand and South America-than had ever been made. He was the first to explore most of the New Zealand coast and a vast stretch of the east coast of Australia, and the first to explore the longest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. In Jakarta and Cape Town, and in the seas between them, Cook lost a third of his crew to tropical illnesses, after earlier saving them from scurvy. The ship in which he circled the world was not much larger in area than a tennis court. Along with the de Surville vessel, the sea was an arena of international rivalry, for during his voyage Cook encountered Dutch, Spanish, French, and Portuguese competitors and suspicions. Geoffrey Blainey brings his marvelous storytelling powers to bear on this fascinating and important adventure, drawing us brilliantly into the lives of the major figures.

About the Author: Geoffrey Blainey, one of Australia's most important historians, has also written A Short History of the World, A Short History of the 20th Century, and Black Kettle and Full Moon. He holds Australia's highest honor, Companion in the Order of Australia. He lives in Melbourne.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Sea of Dangers: Captain Cook and His Rivals ...
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publisher
Publication Date: 2009
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket