The Life of Captain James Cook
by J. C. Beaglehole
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Description
Captain Cook is the greatest explorer-seaman of all time, yet the world has had to wait almost two centuries for the first full-scale biography to do justice to the man and his achievements. Professor J.C. Beaglehole, the leading authority on Pacific exploration, devoted himself for many years to the editing of Cook's copious Journals, a monument of scholarship in four massive volumes, and the Journal of Josepph Banks who accompanied Cook in the Endeavor. The Journals completed, Beaglehole show more turn to writing as the crown of his life's work this biography of Cook, which was completed but for a final checking when he died. This is not merely a chronological account of events in Cook's life but a deeply revealing study of the growth of a complex character, stubborn and passionate yet patient and judicious, seen in his actions as an unrivalled navigator and explorer and as a commander of men. Those who influenced Cook from childhood up, and those who sailed with him on his voyages, are as clearly and surely drawn as the man himself. The author's first-hand knowledge of the Pacific Islands and the coasts of New Zealand and Australia give a warmth and actuality to the narrative, while his impeccable scholarship and skill in handling the mass of documentary material, his wit, and his elegant literary style, confirm the expectration that this is one of the great historical biographies. show lessTags
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Author Information
24+ Works 329 Members
John Cawte Beaglehole was a writer, historical advisor, educator, and researcher. He was born on June 13, 1901 in Wellington, New Zealand. He graduated from Victoria University as a history major and earned his doctorate at the London School of Economics. Beaglehole taught with the Worker's Educational Association and Auckland University College. show more In 1936, he became a lecturer in history at Victoria University; in 1948 he was made senior research fellow in colonial history, and in 1963 he was made professor. Beaglehole was also historical advisor to the Department of Internal Affairs, chairman of the board of management of the New Zealand University Press, and a member of the board of trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum. He served as president of the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. An expert on Captain James Cook and the exploration of the Pacific, Beaglehole wrote a biography of the explorer and edited many of Cook's journals. In addition, he assisted in identifying and marking Cook's landing sites in New Zealand and served for 16 years as a member of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Beaglehole died on October 10, 1971. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Notable Lists
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Captain James Cook, RN, FRS
- Important places
- Yorkshire, England, UK; St. Lawrence River; Newfoundland, Canada; Australia; New Zealand; Tahiti (show all 7); Hawai'i, USA
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, Travel, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 910.92 — History & geography Geography & travel modified standard subdivisions of Geography and travel History, geographic treatment, biography - Discovery. exploration Geographers, travellers, explorers regardless of country of origin
- LCC
- G246 .C7 .B38 — Geography, Anthropology and Recreation Geography (General) History of discoveries, explorations, and travel
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 166
- Popularity
- 196,282
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 4
