Hampton Sides writes nonfiction in such a compelling way that it's hard to put down one of his books once you pick it up. It's certainly true of his latest - The Wide, Wide Sea - Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook (#1,232). Cook's secret royal remit on this journey was to reach the 65th north latitude west of the North American continent and search for the elusive Northwest Passage, creating a shipping shortcut from Asia to England. There were many perils along the way, political, geographical and meteorological. Yet most of his crews survived the harrowing trip. Cook himself did not. And that, in itself, is the subject of much speculation. The facts of Cook's death at the hands of Hawaiians are well-documented, but the cause behind it is not.
To me, it was remarkable that while Captain Cook on the Resolution, and Captain Clerke on the Discovery were exploring the South Seas and the Pacific Northwest, the American Revolution was raging on the North American continent. France and Spain were both now officially at war with Great Britain, adding to the dangers of the expedition. Yet still, the two ships landed at island after island where few, if any, Europeans had set foot, not even the Spanish or Portuguese, who laid claim to the entire Pacific.
This book was full of "Huh, I did not know that!" moments of reading. A few of the places described in the book we have been to, most we have not, but like Cook himself, we always want to see the next thing. His side trip to Russia just so he could set foot on the continent of Asia is a perfect example of what drove him most of his life.
If you are an armchair traveler, especially if you have ever spent any time on a boat, this is the perfect read for you. Make sure you pick up a hardback edition so you will have the benefit of the color plates and illustrations.
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