Captain James Cook

[HansTWN]

Anything on him worth reading available in ebook form? His journals are, but I can imagine they will be pretty dry. I found some other books, but in general there are very few user reviews for each one of them. And the best items seem to be pbook only.

[sabredog]

Would this be of interest?

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Captain-J.../dp/B000JML0K8

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by sabredog

Would this be of interest?

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Captain-J.../dp/B000JML0K8

I actually already downloaded that, just took a quick look at it --- the formatting stinks to high heavens. Everything is without any spacing, even chapter headings (they are just bold), no pages. That will make for a tough read.

[viviena]

I've read this book in pbook format. It appears to be available in both MOBI and EPUB formats too (though geo-restricted). The book itself isn't a straightforward biography of Captain Cook. It's more of a travelogue about Cook's legacy, each chapter or so focusing on a particular episode of Cook's life. There are citations, but it's not an academic work, rather a likeable and fairly educational read. It's been a while since I've read it, but I remember enjoying it, and it's probably worth looking at if you're interested in Captain Cook or the effects of British colonialism.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by viviena

I've read this book in pbook format. It appears to be available in both MOBI and EPUB formats too (though geo-restricted). The book itself isn't a straightforward biography of Captain Cook. It's more of a travelogue about Cook's legacy, each chapter or so focusing on a particular episode of Cook's life. There are citations, but it's not an academic work, rather a likeable and fairly educational read. It's been a while since I've read it, but I remember enjoying it, and it's probably worth looking at if you're interested in Captain Cook or the effects of British colonialism.

This does seem interesting -- didn't notice this one before when I browsed through Amazon's offerings. Thanks, I will download the sample and see how I like it.

[sabredog]

If you are interested in Cook's life, then there was a great UK produced mini series made during the early 90's that is very, very good.

This is the book I have, but I have yet to see a copy available as an ebook. Personally, I reckon this is about the best treatise of his life and times.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by sabredog

If you are interested in Cook's life, then there was a great UK produced mini series made during the early 90's that is very, very good.

This is the book I have, but I have yet to see a copy available as an ebook. Personally, I reckon this is about the best treatise of his life and times.

The mini series seems to be this one? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129669/

I have always wondered why there is so much on Magellan and so little on James Cook?

[sabredog]

Looks like it is that one.

[BenG]

You might be interested in Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz. The author retraces Cook's voyages.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Latitudes...tt_at_ep_dpt_4

Also the Captain Cook Society has a list of books:
http://www.captaincooksociety.com/ccsu21.htm

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by BenG

You might be interested in Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz. The author retraces Cook's voyages.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Latitudes...tt_at_ep_dpt_4

Also the Captain Cook Society has a list of books:
http://www.captaincooksociety.com/ccsu21.htm

They even have a Captain Cook Society, so he is held in higher esteem than it seemed at first glance.

Vivienna suggested the same book you did. I have downloaded a sample but didn't get around to it yet while a finish another book first. It is just sad that so little is available in ebook form.

[sabredog]

Captain Cook is certainly held in high esteem in Australia. As well he should. He was arguably the greatest explorer in the Royal Navy, if not the 18th century.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I have always wondered why there is so much on Magellan and so little on James Cook?

Perhaps it's a cultural thing? Cook is known by everyone in Britain; you'd probably struggle to find anyone who'd ever heard of Magellan.

[crich70]

You might find this book by W.H.G. Kingston of interest. I only just uploaded the mobi version the other day.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=165211

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by crich70

You might find this book by W.H.G. Kingston of interest. I only just uploaded the mobi version the other day.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=165211

Thanks! On Amazon they are trying to sell this for $2.99.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Perhaps it's a cultural thing? Cook is known by everyone in Britain; you'd probably struggle to find anyone who'd ever heard of Magellan.

Everybody knows about Cook, but does everybody know a lot of details of his voyages? And as far as explorers go, there is nobody else who comes close. I would have expected him to be more of a source of national pride than, let us say, Henry Morgan. But it looks like the warriors always come first.