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Captain James Cook [Paperback]

Richard Hough (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 3 Mar 2003
In Cook's relatively short and adventurous life (1728-79) he voyaged to the eastern and western seaboards of North America, the North and South Pacific and the Arctic and Antarctic bringing about a new comprehension of the world's geography and its people's. He was the linking figure between the grey specualtion of the early eighteenth century and the industrial age of the first half of the nineteenth century.



Richard Hough's biograpahy is full of new insights and interpretations of one of the world's greatest mariners.

Frequently Bought Together

Captain James Cook + James Cook: The Journals (Penguin Classics)
Price For Both: £14.47

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Product details

  • Paperback: 528 pages
  • Publisher: Coronet (3 Mar 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0340825561
  • ISBN-13: 978-0340825563
  • Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 3.5 x 19.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 57,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Authors

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Richard Alexander Hough
Richard Hough

Product Description

Review

'Highly readable' (Terry Waite, The Sunday Times )

'Richard Hough's biography is as fascinating as it is felicitous in style and entertaining in content' (Field Marshal Lord Carver, The Sunday Telegraph )

'Hough tells the story with skill to give a convincing smell of the sea' (Flora Fraser, The Times )

'Captain James Cook does handsome justice to the navigator' (Ian Thomson, The Independent )

About the Author

Richard Hough with his high reputation as a biographer and naval historian, is the author of many books. He wrote THE MURDER OF CAPTAIN COOK in 1979 to mark the bicentenary of the explorer's death in that year.
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First Sentence
JAMES COOK, THE SECOND SON of James Senior and Grace Cook, was born on 27 October 1728 at Marton, north Yorkshire. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best account of Cook's Voyages 17 Nov 2004
By Simon McMahon VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Having read several account of the voyages Captain James Cook, I can without hesitation state that this is by far the superior of a generally excellent crop. The late Richard Hough ably captures the spirit of the age of exploration as well as producing a brilliant account of this exceptional man.

Hough also manages to hook the reader with the details of his major voyages of discovery. Not only are the pitfalls of sailing the pacific with a crew of less than perfect men discussed but also various incidents involving those joining himn on the voyage, botanists and artists among them Joseph Banks.

Unlike some of the drier biographies of Cook this reads more like a novel, yet still manages to remain true to the original sources, without the need felt by some to make sweeping gestures based on little evidence.

Where Hough really excels though is in getting across the spirit of excitement that must have been felt by both Cook and his men during these voyages. Whether it was meeting new groups among the islands or fighting off a group of Maori warriors the reader feels close to the action, and this is rare in such a well researched book. And Cook's death is handled superbly well, and by the end of the brutal attack I was left feeling emotional, another rarity in a historical biography.

I am planning to reread this book and would recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in exploration. Even if generally you find history off putting this is one book I believe anyone can read and enjoy.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight of a great man 19 Nov 2002
By A. J. Watson VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I was prompted to buy this book after reading 'Endeavour' by Peter Aughton ... which painted a completely different picture of Cook to what I imagined. After reading 'Captain James Cook' I now realise how the misconception arose - on his last and most famous voyage, he presents a Mr.Hyde personality, completely out of keeping with his previous Dr.Jekyll style of running his ship and dealing with the natives he meets - little wonder the Hawaiians took revenge (in the worst possible way). Interesting too, is the side-study of Bligh, who was already showing signs of despotism and seems to have fostered Cook's decline into cruelty, autocratic rule over his crew and excessively harsh treatment of the natives.

The author poses the possibility that a medical condition precipitated this sudden change of character, but it may also have been early senility, Altzheimer's or dementia brought on by stress - who knows?

The book is full of interesting clips from various people's logs, which show other views of life under Cook's leadership. The main thrust of the book is not that Cook was in the right place at the right time, but that he made such a consummate job of ensuring that the surveys were carried out in a methodical manner, with a healthy crew and sound ship. After all, it was HIS decision on what type of ship to use, what food to keep the crew healthy, how to deal with the natives and his diplomacy that ensured that the first 2 voyages were such a resounding success.

All this is in sharp contrast to the last voyage, where he allowed the shipyard to take liberties with the refitting of his ships, the lack of diplomacy, his cruelty to the natives and his lack of patience with his crew. This only serves to reinforce what an extraordinary leader he had been.

A splendid read which has furthered my interest in history and exploration - more like this please! *****

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight of a great man 16 May 2002
By A. J. Watson VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I was prompted to buy this book after reading 'Endeavour' by Peter Aughton (available from amazon.co.uk) which painted a completely different picture of Cook to what I imagined. After reading 'Captain James Cook' I now realise how the misconception arose - on his last and most famous voyage, he presents a Mr.Hyde personality, completely out of keeping with his previous Dr.Jekyll style of running his ship and dealing with the natives he meets - little wonder the Hawaiians took revenge (in the worst possible way). Interesting too, is the side-study of Bligh, who was already showing signs of despotism and seems to have fostered Cook's decline into cruelty, autocratic rule over his crew and excessively harsh treatment of the natives.
The author poses the possibility that a medical condition precipitated this sudden change of character, but it may also have been early senility, Altzheimer's or dementia brought on by stress - who knows?
The book is full of interesting clips from various people's logs, which show other views of life under Cook's leadership. The main thrust of the book is not that Cook was in the right place at the right time, but that he made such a consummate job of ensuring that the surveys were carried out in a methodical manner, with a healthy crew and sound ship. After all, it was HIS decision on what type of ship to use, what food to keep the crew healthy, how to deal with the natives and his diplomacy that ensured that the first 2 voyages were such a resounding success.
All this is in sharp contrast to the last voyage, where he allowed the shipyard to take liberties with the refitting of his ships, the lack of diplomacy, his cruelty to the natives and his lack of patience with his crew. This only serves to reinforce what an extraordinary leader he had been.
A splendid read which has furthered my interest in history and exploration - more like this please!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Captain Cook
Bought this book for my Father-in Law who is 85 years old and he is really loving it.Thanks, looking forward to receiving more books in the future.
Published 16 months ago by Bee-bee
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book
I thought I knew about Captain James Cook but this book brought the achievements of this Yorkshireman into sharper focus. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mistergee3
5.0 out of 5 stars captain cook
super value, well packed and fast posting,needed book for research for public talk and it was ideal for this purpose
Published 20 months ago by J. Stacey
5.0 out of 5 stars A well written biography
A very well written biography which captures the imagination from start to finish. Travel the Southern Ocean, and live the dangerous journey of both The Endeavour and The... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2010 by matt1200uk
5.0 out of 5 stars Life at sea with Captain Cook.
I read this book along side the James Cook: The Journals (Penguin Classics)and I followed it beautifully and with depth to make me live and breath the era as if I was there, with... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2010 by Blake
2.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Context
The cover review says 'Highly readable', and I'll give it that, as I sailed through the book. It goes through Cooks life and journeys in a comprehensive manner, but giving every... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2007 by Piran
4.0 out of 5 stars SHODDY MAPS LET IT DOWN
This is an excellent account of Cook's life and voyages. However, the paperback edition is badly let down by the wholly inadequate maps. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2004 by D. J. Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent account
Richard Hough presents a lucid, well-written and well-researched account. He is also a balanced writer.

With regard to Cook's 'cruelty to the natives' on his final voice. Read more

Published on 19 Aug 2003 by John P. Mccormack
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, especially if you've been to Oz or NZ
This is an extremely readable and interesting account of Cook's life quoting from his journal and that of others on his voyages. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2003 by UK Man
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction To The Life Of Captain Cook
I read this book after having read the Penguin edition of "The Journals Of Captain Cook". The journals were Cook's own written record of his 3 epic voyages into the Pacific and... Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2002 by Mr. J. Walmsley
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