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

New
Hardcover
2009
$23.20

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 other's existence. This is the stirring tale of these rival ships and the men who sailed in them. 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.

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 other's existence. This is the stirring tale of these rival ships and the men who sailed in them. 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.

$23.20

Quantity

2 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Publisher: Ivan R. Dee Publisher
Published: 01 May 2009
ISBN 10: 1566638259
ISBN 13: 9781566638258

Media Reviews

Prolific Australian historian Blainey revisits the epic journey of Capt. James Cook's Endeavor and a parallel voyage by a French ship . . . Blainey excavates the journals of Cook, the Endeavor's aristocratic botanist Joseph Banks, de Surville and others, fashioning an exciting, detail-heavy re-creation of the parallel voyages... -- Geoffrey Blainey Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

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.