Captain James Cook

Rob Mundle introduces us to an unlikely sailor in a teenage Cook, who through the combination of hard-won skills as a seafarer, the talents of a self-taught navigator and surveyor, and an exceptional ability to lead and care for his men, climbed the ranks of the Royal Navy to achieve legendary status among all who sailed and mapped the world.. He became the first explorer to circumnavigate New Zealand and establish that it was two main islands; discover the Hawaiian Islands for the British Empire; and left an enduring legacy. From sailor to legend - the story of Captain James Cook, one of the greatest maritime explorers of all time. Over three remarkable voyages of discovery into the Pacific in the latter part of the 18th century, Cook unravelled the oldest mystery surrounding the existence of Terra Australis Incognita - the Great South Land

History Comes to Life Mundle brings history to life for me in this book. I read it as we were sailing around the Marlborough Sounds - one of Cook's favourite places. I almost felt like I was there with him in Ships Cove, cleaning the bottom of the Resolution and replenishing the Ships stores. Mundle has written many accounts of historical seafarers, and Cook is just brilliant.. "An easy read, well researched, the full context of Cook's voyage" according to Argo. I'm about a third of the way through the Kindle version. Reads well, I like the historical context especially some of the background pre-Pacific text that leads up to Cook being chosen to lead the Endurance. As I have just gotten back from the south Pacific I have really appreciated the link to his travels there, I only wish I had seen this book before I left.. Probably the best biography I've read about Cook Probably the best biography I've read about Cook. His personality begins to come out, as little is known about him, just his exploits.