Captain Cook : The Seaman's Seaman

by Alan Villiers

a biography of Captain Cook with illustrations

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Travel, Maritime, Australia

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Mr. Alan Villiers was an Australian who had won considerable fame for himself as a result of his voyages in sailing-ships. Mr. Villiers preferred the excitement and the danger of small sailing-ships to the comfort and the safety of the modern ship.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly concise, readable, and insightful chronicle of Cook's career. Less a biography than an analysis of his voyages and command style. Not the only Cook book one should read, but it offers an essential perspective.

[Ken Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in used condition and very spontaneously bought it, knowing very little about James Cook, and I'm glad I did, as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alan Villiers is not only an excellent researcher and writer, but also has a great deal of experience sailing a full-rigged (or "square-rigged") ship of the types Captain Cook sailed, so he knows how to describe many of the challenges Cook faced. I love books about sailing from this era, as I think I'm attracted to the extremes that such sailors went to in order to sail these vessels to uncharted waters in such inhospitable conditions. It could be accurately said that Cook was "the greatest explorer-seaman the world has known" as he was the first to accurately chart much of the world's southern oceans as well as a great deal of the vast Pacific Ocean.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1967 biography of Captain Cook, whilst fairly short, is written by an accomplished mariner with extensive experience of square-riggers and this is reflected in the way in which Cook's voyages are described. The result is pretty amazing when combined with the writers fine prose style and makes the result every bit as exciting as some of the best output of the various writers of historical naval fiction over the years, in my opinion.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting story, chock full of detail that is amplified by a respect of the sea, exploration, and the human condition as evident in the 1700s.

The richness of the detail is both amazing and interesting. Books like Dana's "Two Years before the Mast" seem to lack the tangible discovery that this book reveals.

While I loved the book, the 4 not 5 stars is more a fear that some perspectives of Cook are more based on his quiet character than maybe was actually evidenced.

The author seems to have been mesmerized by Cook's skill as a sailor and leader and I strongly believe he was, but perhaps his temper or countenance was a bit harsher than the author admitted which might have whipsawed the haughtier "gentlemen" noted. But jealousy and power can rile many a person .

Well worth reading, not just considering exploration, but considering the respect for developing and maintaining skills.

Currently vocational education costs the US 2% of what is spent on formal education and the skills portrayed in this book show the value of in developing and improving craft skills.

[Artie LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old book, and probably not up to date with today's research: but it has the inestimable advantage of being written by an author who has sailed such vessels in such seas. Villiers really conveys the challenges and the seaboard conditions. A very good book.

[Dan Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read as a kid. provides an overview of Cook's three voyages. By Villiers, an accomplished sailor who traced a Cook voyage in a vessel similar to Cook's. Decided to read again after completing The Wide Wide Sea by Sides.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain James Cook, by Alan Villiers, 1967.
After skimming the books first few pages, it was very clear that this writer was not your typical pasty academic, locked away in the bowels of a university library nervously regurgitating what others before him have documented. Oh no! These eloquent prose were the work of more than just a researcher, but that of an highly experienced master mariner. After wikapediaing Alan Villiers I am mesmerized by his resumé. He has commanded a dozen square masted riggers, including a replica of the Endeavor, actually retracing Captain Cooks South Pacific path. He has been involved in some way or form in almost every existing historical sailing ship in the past fifty years. Ship owner, president of historical societies, author of a dozen books, winner of prestigious races, circumnavigator, the list goes on and on. Only a person of this background, one who has experienced first hand the humbling trials and tribulations of captainship, could rightfully delve deep into the mind set of Captain James Cook. Carefully researched, beautifully written, this book would make a spectacular companion to Captain Cook's personal journal of exploration, "Captain James Cook, in the Pacific" This book is an absolute must read for anyone interested in the age of discovery.

[Tom Liles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Simon Winchester's Atlantic, this book profits from the author's perspective as a sailor writing about sailing. His love for the topic suffuses every page without devolving into pedantry and hero-worship. Instead the reader is treated to a professional's perspective on Cook, his achievements, and the historical context necessary to reveal why Cook's achievements are so impressive. Villiers demystification of sailing is the single most impressive aspect of the book, but the writing is perfectly engaging as well. Recommended.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a seaman himself and thus includes just a bit of his own experiences and all the correct nautical terms—not tht I care about the latter but it adds a very pleasant versimilitude to the narrative of this great and enigmatic explorer.

[Julian Spenceley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The on board life of a seaman in the 18th Century was very interesting. The complexities and details of the sails, masts and ropes of a sailing ship would need someone with knowledge of sailing to appreciate the details.

[David Wardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Villiers writes about Captain Cook from the perspective of a professional blue water sailor. The perspective and insights are unique and very readable.