The Voyages of Captain Cook: 101 Questions and Answers about the Explorer and His Three Great Scientific Expeditions"Captain James Cook is probably the most famous maritime explorer of all time, and with good reason. The three voyages of discovery he made between 1768 and his death in 1779 set new standards in navigation, surveying and shipboard health. Among his many achievements he dispelled the myth of a Great Southern Continent, established that New Zealand was two islands and discovered and charted the eastern coast of Australia to a high degree of accuracy. The retinues of gentleman scientists that sailed with him made advances in astronomy, botany and zoology, and artists such as Sydney Parkinson, Alexander Buchan, and William Hodges provided Europeans with some of the first images of the exotic peoples, flora and fauna of the Pacific." "Much has been written about Cook, but in this format the author, Anthony Cornish, is able to structure the book as a Question & Answer session, to discuss the 101 most pertinent and interesting questions relating to Cook's career and character, the objectives and route of each of his voyages, and the key events. Beautifully enhanced with engravings from the published narratives of the voyages, artefacts and paintings now held in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and photographs of the Endeavor replica, this is an essential companion for any Cook enthusiast."--BOOK JACKET. |
