What do you think?
Rate this book
Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook
A portrait of eighteenth-century explorer and adventurer Captain James Cook draws on Cook's own journals to describe his youth, his career in the Royal Navy, and his expeditions that charted the Pacific Ocean.
287 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2001
189 people are currently reading
3609 people want to read
About the author
Martin Dugard
54 books404 followersMartin Dugard is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Taking Series — including Taking Berlin (2022) and Taking Paris (2021).
Book Two in the Taking series is titled Taking Berlin, covering the final nine months of World War II in Europe. Taking Berlin goes on sale November 1, 2022.
He is also the co-author of the mega-million selling Killing books, the bestselling non-fiction series in history: Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing Reagan, Killing England, Killing the Rising Sun, Killing the SS, Killing Crazy Horse, Killing the Mob, and the upcoming Killing the Killers.
Other works include the New York Times bestseller The Murder of King Tut (with James Patterson; Little, Brown, 2009); The Last Voyage of Columbus (Little, Brown, 2005); Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone (Doubleday, 2003), Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook (Pocket Books, 2001), Knockdown (Pocket Books, 1999), and Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth (McGraw-Hill, 1998). In addition, Martin lived on the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of Survivor's inaugural season to write the bestselling Survivor with mega-producer Mark Burnett.
Book Two in the Taking series is titled Taking Berlin, covering the final nine months of World War II in Europe. Taking Berlin goes on sale November 1, 2022.
He is also the co-author of the mega-million selling Killing books, the bestselling non-fiction series in history: Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing Reagan, Killing England, Killing the Rising Sun, Killing the SS, Killing Crazy Horse, Killing the Mob, and the upcoming Killing the Killers.
Other works include the New York Times bestseller The Murder of King Tut (with James Patterson; Little, Brown, 2009); The Last Voyage of Columbus (Little, Brown, 2005); Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone (Doubleday, 2003), Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook (Pocket Books, 2001), Knockdown (Pocket Books, 1999), and Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth (McGraw-Hill, 1998). In addition, Martin lived on the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of Survivor's inaugural season to write the bestselling Survivor with mega-producer Mark Burnett.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
January 28, 2015
This book moves rapidly across the entire life of the most adventuresome man that ever lived, who served as the model for Captain James T. Kirk and whose goal to “go farther than any man” inspired Star Trek’s mission statement. This is my first book by Martin Dugard and it will not be the last. With a master’s touch, he weaves exquisite detail into the finest narrative you can find. He shows Captain James Cook as an ambitious, flesh-and-blood leader who cared for his crew–whom he called “the People”–as well as a devoted and passionate husband.
Cook, whose barely intelligible north-country burr marked him as a commoner, nevertheless gained the rank equivalent of Admiral in the Royal Navy, when its officer corps was strictly reserved for members of the ruling class, perhaps his most telling achievement of all. He began his sea career in the merchant fleet in 1746, sailing mostly around England itself in the coal trade. He mastered the skills of seamanship, navigation, surveying, cartography, and the handling of men, then declined command of a collier and started over by enlisting in the Royal Navy in 1755. He fought in the Seven Years War and mapped Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence, details of which are still used today. Beginning in 1768 until he was killed by Hawaiians in February, 1779, he commanded three around-the-world discovery missions. He achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. After his second voyage, he was then probably the most famous man in the world and he reveled in it. Today, places in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans still bear the names he gave them and places from Alaska to Australia bear his name not because he named them for himself but because England commemorated him that way. He originated the practices of cleanliness to prevent infection and avoidance of scurvy by a diet including green vegetables. Oddly, the two discoveries he sought most, the location of Antarctica and the Northwest Passage, eluded him because ice threatened to seize and crush his vessels–the very fate later explorers suffered.
A great story, extremely well-told, and more than worth the effort.
Cook, whose barely intelligible north-country burr marked him as a commoner, nevertheless gained the rank equivalent of Admiral in the Royal Navy, when its officer corps was strictly reserved for members of the ruling class, perhaps his most telling achievement of all. He began his sea career in the merchant fleet in 1746, sailing mostly around England itself in the coal trade. He mastered the skills of seamanship, navigation, surveying, cartography, and the handling of men, then declined command of a collier and started over by enlisting in the Royal Navy in 1755. He fought in the Seven Years War and mapped Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence, details of which are still used today. Beginning in 1768 until he was killed by Hawaiians in February, 1779, he commanded three around-the-world discovery missions. He achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. After his second voyage, he was then probably the most famous man in the world and he reveled in it. Today, places in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans still bear the names he gave them and places from Alaska to Australia bear his name not because he named them for himself but because England commemorated him that way. He originated the practices of cleanliness to prevent infection and avoidance of scurvy by a diet including green vegetables. Oddly, the two discoveries he sought most, the location of Antarctica and the Northwest Passage, eluded him because ice threatened to seize and crush his vessels–the very fate later explorers suffered.
A great story, extremely well-told, and more than worth the effort.
February 6, 2024
Great history read. Very well written and researched. I have always wanted to know more about this person and this book definitely fills in that knowledge gap. Very recommended
August 31, 2018
I like a good story of seafaring adventure. Alfred Lansing’s Endurance, and Laurence Bergreen’s Over the Edge of the World are two of my favorites, and now this book is almost up there with them.
Cook was a very appealing character (at first anyway). He was an ambitious lower class farm boy who, with nothing but his wits, work ethic, courage, and excellent character, rose to become one of the most famous sailers of all time.
It’s sad to see the idealistic, professional, ambitious, and adventurous Cook of the first voyage degenerate into the sloppy and unpleasantly cruel Cook of the third, the one whose arrogance got him killed. The transformation of Cook’s character that led to his death gives this book a touch of Greek tragedy, and turns it into a morality tale proving the point that power corrupts.
Farther than Any Man does have a bit of an annoying habit of putting thoughts into people’s minds without support. For example, “The Hawaiians truly thought Cook was a god — the one thing the farm boy had always ached to be.” But had he? Had Cook ever ached to be a god? I don’t see any evidence of it, and this seems to just be something that Dugard says for dramatic affect as he pumps up his hero’s hubris to prepare him for his fall.
Still, this is a very good book. It’s exciting, informative, well written, and completely without dull bits.
Cook was a very appealing character (at first anyway). He was an ambitious lower class farm boy who, with nothing but his wits, work ethic, courage, and excellent character, rose to become one of the most famous sailers of all time.
It’s sad to see the idealistic, professional, ambitious, and adventurous Cook of the first voyage degenerate into the sloppy and unpleasantly cruel Cook of the third, the one whose arrogance got him killed. The transformation of Cook’s character that led to his death gives this book a touch of Greek tragedy, and turns it into a morality tale proving the point that power corrupts.
Farther than Any Man does have a bit of an annoying habit of putting thoughts into people’s minds without support. For example, “The Hawaiians truly thought Cook was a god — the one thing the farm boy had always ached to be.” But had he? Had Cook ever ached to be a god? I don’t see any evidence of it, and this seems to just be something that Dugard says for dramatic affect as he pumps up his hero’s hubris to prepare him for his fall.
Still, this is a very good book. It’s exciting, informative, well written, and completely without dull bits.
August 16, 2014
Rarely, if ever, have I read a history book as compelling and as human as 'Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook'.
Not an audiobook this time, I had a hard time putting this page-by-pager down. Martin Dugard is an amazing painter with words.
Here is the fast moving and detailed story of Captain James Cook's three globe-trotting expeditions during the latter half of the 18th century, accurately mapping the vastly undiscovered (by Europe) South Pacific. Until space travel he chalked up more miles than any other explorer. It's the true account of his encounters, his triumphs, his rise and terrible murder- and why it happened. You can't just go to that chapter and understand it, you have to follow the build, wave upon wave, league upon league, to know what led to his failure of diplomacy on that rocky, bloody shore of Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii.
We also find out what happened to Capt. Cook's first command ship, the great and noble Bark Endeavour which took him around the world that first exquisite trip. Strangely, when its fate was revealed, over a decade since its good service to Cook, I was quite moved to tears. I was not so much when the Captain's grisly fate was told. This was not a fault of the author but because of how Cook himself had changed so much since Endeavour's voyage. He was no longer that benevolent, stalwart, humanitarian ambassador to parts unknown, one with whom who you could sympathize as he had been earlier.
Why not?
You gotta read it to find out, and it is a marvelous cautionary tale for all of us.
I finished the last chapter, an epilogue, while standing near the spot where Cook was killed. Looking up occasionally from the book's final pages and taking in that perfect, arcing, blue, bay on the west coast of Hawaii's big island, really put the adventure into perspective. Not merely Cook's horrific slaughter, but the question of why men ever put themselves at such risks on alien worlds.
You have but to just look at it. Oh god, just look at it.
Not an audiobook this time, I had a hard time putting this page-by-pager down. Martin Dugard is an amazing painter with words.
Here is the fast moving and detailed story of Captain James Cook's three globe-trotting expeditions during the latter half of the 18th century, accurately mapping the vastly undiscovered (by Europe) South Pacific. Until space travel he chalked up more miles than any other explorer. It's the true account of his encounters, his triumphs, his rise and terrible murder- and why it happened. You can't just go to that chapter and understand it, you have to follow the build, wave upon wave, league upon league, to know what led to his failure of diplomacy on that rocky, bloody shore of Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii.
We also find out what happened to Capt. Cook's first command ship, the great and noble Bark Endeavour which took him around the world that first exquisite trip. Strangely, when its fate was revealed, over a decade since its good service to Cook, I was quite moved to tears. I was not so much when the Captain's grisly fate was told. This was not a fault of the author but because of how Cook himself had changed so much since Endeavour's voyage. He was no longer that benevolent, stalwart, humanitarian ambassador to parts unknown, one with whom who you could sympathize as he had been earlier.
Why not?
You gotta read it to find out, and it is a marvelous cautionary tale for all of us.
I finished the last chapter, an epilogue, while standing near the spot where Cook was killed. Looking up occasionally from the book's final pages and taking in that perfect, arcing, blue, bay on the west coast of Hawaii's big island, really put the adventure into perspective. Not merely Cook's horrific slaughter, but the question of why men ever put themselves at such risks on alien worlds.
You have but to just look at it. Oh god, just look at it.
May 21, 2019
NF book group: explorers
An easy to read explorer/adventure story with just the right level of detail for me - I learned lots of things about Cook that I didn't know (that I probably should've known, given the hero worship of him in NZ) but the story wasn't bogged down with excessive detail.
I didn't expect the lack of footnotes and citations to bother me so much, but it did. There were quite a few assertions made about Cook's thoughts and private life that I highly doubt were written in his journals. According to the book's blurb the journals were the main source the author used, but he never gave any details of his sources, not in an author's note or acknowledgments, just quoting the journals at times or describing Cook recording things. But what about the rest? Is the only evidence of Cook's passionate and lust-filled relationship with his wife that she got pregnant every time he was home? Because that's pretty weak proof... At one point he refers to "their trademark last night of flesh on flesh" - Elizabeth burned all her personal journals so the only source of this could be James' journals, and it really bugs me not to know if he really wrote that down, or if the author is just concocting things. Also, a last night of sex before a multi-year journey is still not proof of the passionate relationship he asserts, even if he means that Cook delayed his departure until his wife was 6 weeks post-partum so they could bone before he left, which it seems like he *might* be implying.
I had some disputes with some other details like the assertion that the Hawaiians were the most "intellectually advanced" Polynesians (how exactly do you measure that?) and the way the author talked about the Aboriginal people as if they walked down to Australia by accident (because they were a "wandering people" which in itself is a pretty dumb thing to say - aren't most human populations wanderers? Also, there wasn't a land bridge from Vietnam like he says) even as he was trying to stick up for their culture as complex and under-appreciated.
But on the whole the book was interesting and informative, and where it fell short (James Cook discovered the cure for scurvy - um, not exactly...) I did a bit of internet research and filled in some gaps. At the end of the book I felt like there were still questions in my mind about how I should feel about Cook, but at least now I know more about where he came from and what a remarkable life he led. If I have a chance to read more analysis on his place in history and where he went wrong near the end ("almost as if Cook were suffering from dementia..."?) I probably will.
(I really enjoyed the connections between this book and The Signature of All Things, which I had just read. And all the interconnections of history, making sense of what was happening at the same time in different places)
An easy to read explorer/adventure story with just the right level of detail for me - I learned lots of things about Cook that I didn't know (that I probably should've known, given the hero worship of him in NZ) but the story wasn't bogged down with excessive detail.
I didn't expect the lack of footnotes and citations to bother me so much, but it did. There were quite a few assertions made about Cook's thoughts and private life that I highly doubt were written in his journals. According to the book's blurb the journals were the main source the author used, but he never gave any details of his sources, not in an author's note or acknowledgments, just quoting the journals at times or describing Cook recording things. But what about the rest? Is the only evidence of Cook's passionate and lust-filled relationship with his wife that she got pregnant every time he was home? Because that's pretty weak proof... At one point he refers to "their trademark last night of flesh on flesh" - Elizabeth burned all her personal journals so the only source of this could be James' journals, and it really bugs me not to know if he really wrote that down, or if the author is just concocting things. Also, a last night of sex before a multi-year journey is still not proof of the passionate relationship he asserts, even if he means that Cook delayed his departure until his wife was 6 weeks post-partum so they could bone before he left, which it seems like he *might* be implying.
I had some disputes with some other details like the assertion that the Hawaiians were the most "intellectually advanced" Polynesians (how exactly do you measure that?) and the way the author talked about the Aboriginal people as if they walked down to Australia by accident (because they were a "wandering people" which in itself is a pretty dumb thing to say - aren't most human populations wanderers? Also, there wasn't a land bridge from Vietnam like he says) even as he was trying to stick up for their culture as complex and under-appreciated.
But on the whole the book was interesting and informative, and where it fell short (James Cook discovered the cure for scurvy - um, not exactly...) I did a bit of internet research and filled in some gaps. At the end of the book I felt like there were still questions in my mind about how I should feel about Cook, but at least now I know more about where he came from and what a remarkable life he led. If I have a chance to read more analysis on his place in history and where he went wrong near the end ("almost as if Cook were suffering from dementia..."?) I probably will.
(I really enjoyed the connections between this book and The Signature of All Things, which I had just read. And all the interconnections of history, making sense of what was happening at the same time in different places)
April 7, 2023
Started listening to it on a long camping drive with my hubby. But we didn’t finish it. When a month later we made it to Hawaii for a vacation and seen a town named Captain Cook, we decided to finish the book together.
What a surprise it was to learn about a place where Captain Cook died his tragic death while staying in a hotel only 10 miles away. On top of that we were just driving up the sacred mountain where they burned his body while listening to that chapter.
Not knowing anything about captain Cook before this coincidences were unbelievable.
The writing was interesting but in my opinion it lacked bit of a juice even though the author was trying to color the details of the events. But it remained to be seen just as an effort and not as something to help me get to know Captain Cook’s story better.
However it is a fascinating story worth learning about.
What a surprise it was to learn about a place where Captain Cook died his tragic death while staying in a hotel only 10 miles away. On top of that we were just driving up the sacred mountain where they burned his body while listening to that chapter.
Not knowing anything about captain Cook before this coincidences were unbelievable.
The writing was interesting but in my opinion it lacked bit of a juice even though the author was trying to color the details of the events. But it remained to be seen just as an effort and not as something to help me get to know Captain Cook’s story better.
However it is a fascinating story worth learning about.
April 3, 2020
It's hard to tell the historical accuracy of this book, given the lack of footnotes or references, but I'll give Dugard 4 stars just for the quality of the writing and storytelling. Only when he delves into the psyche of Cook, do I seriously question his conclusions. Dugard portrays Cook as a benevolent, highly skilled, and enlightened leader during his first two voyages; and an egocentric, brutal, and near incompetent during his last voyage. The reader is left to wonder.
August 11, 2021
An excellent, fast paced read that would have definitely been rated 4 stars, had it not been for the lack of citations, bibliography, AND index. While this is by far not a fully comprehensive history by any means--it was the perfect summer armchair adventure read--there were still multitudes of facts that need to be cited, especially since character assumptions were made, and statistics were cited in a few instances. If nothing else, I would have appreciated this information as a source for gaining further reading materials on Cook!
However, as a whole this book is an excellent introduction to Cook and his quirky rise from farmer to sailor to navy officer, and his almost OCD level drive to discover literally ever land in the Pacific... and then every land in the Arctic as well. Ironically, his main quest throughout two voyages was to find Antarctica, and he never actually set foot on the continent, nor fully believed it ever existed.
Overall, a wonderful introduction to a radical explorer (at the time) and all around fascinating individual. Don't let the lack of citations deter you, but also don't make this your only source of info for Cook. I'll be searching out other biographies of him for sure.
However, as a whole this book is an excellent introduction to Cook and his quirky rise from farmer to sailor to navy officer, and his almost OCD level drive to discover literally ever land in the Pacific... and then every land in the Arctic as well. Ironically, his main quest throughout two voyages was to find Antarctica, and he never actually set foot on the continent, nor fully believed it ever existed.
Overall, a wonderful introduction to a radical explorer (at the time) and all around fascinating individual. Don't let the lack of citations deter you, but also don't make this your only source of info for Cook. I'll be searching out other biographies of him for sure.
October 19, 2016
Absolutely fabulous account of Captain James Cook's explorations and discoveries. I love a non-fiction that reads like fiction. The pacing is quick but writing is descriptive and engaging. There is a lot to admire about the Captain- fidelity, leadership, the way he cared for his crew..things I never knew about him. He kept his ships clean and his crew almost never suffered from scurvy. There is a bit about some of the less savory aspects of ship life, particularly the "friendly island women," but otherwise clean. Highly recommended for those who love history told in a compelling way (I think guys especially enjoy this one)!
August 16, 2019
Super fascinating subject. I love stories about first contact and discovery. This is well worth reading, and I have a higher respect for Cook's legacy, now. He's one of those figures of history I wish I could meet. Definitely deserves a TV miniseries.
I removed a star because the author's writing style isn't to my taste: pretentious and bombastic, with a lot of editorializing (speculating on what he assumes are people's flaws ... I can ponder the flaws of mankind on my own without help, thanks). But it moves along, and at least it isn't dry!
I removed a star because the author's writing style isn't to my taste: pretentious and bombastic, with a lot of editorializing (speculating on what he assumes are people's flaws ... I can ponder the flaws of mankind on my own without help, thanks). But it moves along, and at least it isn't dry!
September 28, 2012
James Cook was one of the greatest explorers ever. His contributions to maritime exploration are hard to compare. This well written history of his expeditions and the peoples and place involved is a very good read. I am a big fan of maritime history, so my review may be a little partial... but you enjoy world history or non-fiction, I believe you would enjoy this book.
October 14, 2025
Captivating. A fantastic, digestible biography on audio. I particularly enjoyed the rich descriptions of oceanic perils and the contextualization of the life of James Cook.
I think the author goes a bit too far in the direction of putting thoughts in his subjects' heads, but I understand that this is not an academic book.
One of the things I really wonder after reading this is whether Captain Cook went insane. He really does seem to be a completely different man on the third voyage than on the first two. Dugard chocks this up to his growing hubris, but I wonder if there might not have been something else going on, a brain tumor or something. His behavior is so radically different, at least as Dugard portrays it.
I think the author goes a bit too far in the direction of putting thoughts in his subjects' heads, but I understand that this is not an academic book.
One of the things I really wonder after reading this is whether Captain Cook went insane. He really does seem to be a completely different man on the third voyage than on the first two. Dugard chocks this up to his growing hubris, but I wonder if there might not have been something else going on, a brain tumor or something. His behavior is so radically different, at least as Dugard portrays it.
November 1, 2019
This is somewhat shallow history, and a straightforward story. As far as I can tell Dugard simply makes things up when he discusses Cook's inner thoughts and motivations.
> Cook step into his beloved great cabin. He relaxed and felt a fatigue greater than he’d ever known wash over him. As he took a deep breath, Cook was overwhelmed with his responsibilities. His compulsive need to touch every last island and passage, to do it better than any other discoverer preceding him, to rename all those previously named islands so people would know they were the property of James Cook—it was all becoming exhausting. When would it end? he wondered. How much would be enough?
But I still enjoyed it. I particularly liked how Dugard made an effort to give context to the places and people. For example, when Cook discovers South Georgia Island, Dugard spends a page briefly summarizing Shackleton's voyage and how Shackleton sailed in a lifeboat to South Georgia in order to get help. I knew this, and a lot of the context pieces, but it is still helpful to tie things together. Although these Wikipedia asides could be seen as padding, and they are, Dugard never over-does it. And occasionally I learned something. For example, I hadn't known that Vancouver was along on Cook's last voyage.
> in 1792, George Vancouver, the young midshipman on Discovery, would return to those waters and make a circuit of the island’s vast coastline, giving it his name.
> Magellan, Queirós, Tasman, and Drake always seemed as much in a hurry to get home as to explore—but Cook saw things differently.
> He would sail so far south in this brave gamble that only two explorers in history have duplicated the feat since (James Weddell on his trip of 1822–24, and James Clark Ross aboard the Terror on his 1839–43 voyage. Both men accomplished this in the South Atlantic; only Cook pushed as far south in the Pacific)
> Cook step into his beloved great cabin. He relaxed and felt a fatigue greater than he’d ever known wash over him. As he took a deep breath, Cook was overwhelmed with his responsibilities. His compulsive need to touch every last island and passage, to do it better than any other discoverer preceding him, to rename all those previously named islands so people would know they were the property of James Cook—it was all becoming exhausting. When would it end? he wondered. How much would be enough?
But I still enjoyed it. I particularly liked how Dugard made an effort to give context to the places and people. For example, when Cook discovers South Georgia Island, Dugard spends a page briefly summarizing Shackleton's voyage and how Shackleton sailed in a lifeboat to South Georgia in order to get help. I knew this, and a lot of the context pieces, but it is still helpful to tie things together. Although these Wikipedia asides could be seen as padding, and they are, Dugard never over-does it. And occasionally I learned something. For example, I hadn't known that Vancouver was along on Cook's last voyage.
> in 1792, George Vancouver, the young midshipman on Discovery, would return to those waters and make a circuit of the island’s vast coastline, giving it his name.
> Magellan, Queirós, Tasman, and Drake always seemed as much in a hurry to get home as to explore—but Cook saw things differently.
> He would sail so far south in this brave gamble that only two explorers in history have duplicated the feat since (James Weddell on his trip of 1822–24, and James Clark Ross aboard the Terror on his 1839–43 voyage. Both men accomplished this in the South Atlantic; only Cook pushed as far south in the Pacific)
June 11, 2022
Excellent book. One of the best real life adventure books I've read. Cook's entire life was amazing, getting to post captain of the Royal Navy from humble beginnings. In just one of his 3 trips he did 3 distances around the world. Got to the furthest south and furthest north points anyone had been to. Plus discovered Hawaii and then got eaten by its inhabitants. The book if full of incredible stories of discoveries. It's also very well written, with enough details to keep things exciting but skipping more mundane parts. The author has a clear admiration for Captain Cook but tries to keep the story balanced. Especially towards the end, Cook went pretty crazy and the author tells the story well. Highly recommended for anyone interested in rich biographies, stories of adventures and discovery, and maritime books.
November 15, 2013
I'm fascinated by stories of great ocean voyages, and this one's outstanding. Well researched, well written, and fun to read.
December 29, 2023
A biography of James Cook and his three exploratory journeys to antipodes. The first one to observe a pass of Venus at Tahiti, needed to calculate distance between the Sun and the Earth, and on his return explore the eastern part of to Australia. On this trip he was accompanied by Joseph Banks. The second trip aimed to confirm the existence of Antarctica. Confronted by heavy squalls, huge waves, icebergs and freezing ice, Cook almost reached the continent but had to withdraw, risking loss of his ship and crew. The third trip was to discover the Northwest Passage between Alaska and Greenland. On his way there, he discovered Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately, the heavy conditions encountered at Arctic Ocean forced him to return and travel south to Hawaiian Islands. He arrived there, during the local celebrations of the god of plenty Lono, and was treated as such. Unfortunately, a notorious thieving by the natives led him to attempt to take hostages, as had been his custom during his earlier dealings with the natives of Pacific, led to his early death and gruesome treatment of his remains.
The book gives a popular account of Cook's life, and the author proposes that on his third trip, contrary to his first two expeditions, Cook has become careless and uncaring about his own and his crew's safety. I'm not sure this was the case. Also an absence of an index at the end of the book makes it more difficult to find references to many others involved in Cook's life. However, the account has been presented quite interestingly and I am glad I have read it.
The book gives a popular account of Cook's life, and the author proposes that on his third trip, contrary to his first two expeditions, Cook has become careless and uncaring about his own and his crew's safety. I'm not sure this was the case. Also an absence of an index at the end of the book makes it more difficult to find references to many others involved in Cook's life. However, the account has been presented quite interestingly and I am glad I have read it.
July 11, 2023
Would I have liked this book more if it had included 100 pages of end notes? I kind of doubt it. Or, what if Dugard had begun by telling the reader (spoiler?) that the heady young explorer would end up undone by ego and with plenty of blood on his hands (he was, after all, an English colonist)... Still no. Presuming the author's sources are accurate, and allowing for his interpretation of Cook's personality type--history is, after all, "the art of the possible"--what I found in this book was a compelling narrative, justly subtitled with "rise and fall" to tell us the man was not without guilt, and in the end a portrait more memorable than any number of primary sources might have provided. It's a great book, no matter how much decolonization our world has required--still requires--thanks to the actions of Cook and others like him.
August 27, 2021
Martin Dugard tells the fascinating story of Captain Cook through the lens of his own reflections on the matchless, though conflicted, adventurer and master of the Pacific. It is astounding to consider how one man, some 250 years ago, well before computers, GPS or even reliable maps, who sailed in wooden boats through tropical storms and immense icebergs, armed with little more than undaunted determination and a relentless zeal for discovery, could teach the world so much about the lands and civilizations that populate our planet.
January 10, 2020
“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”
No words ring truer than when describing James Cook, who’s hubris would ultimately be his downfall. Farther Than Any Man is a fascinating exposé on the adventurer that would go on to be the inspiration for the character James T. Kirk of Star Trek. This is a great read for those interested in the 18th century man who’s exploratory ambitions and fame rivaled (and perhaps surpassed) the astronauts of the 1960’s.
No words ring truer than when describing James Cook, who’s hubris would ultimately be his downfall. Farther Than Any Man is a fascinating exposé on the adventurer that would go on to be the inspiration for the character James T. Kirk of Star Trek. This is a great read for those interested in the 18th century man who’s exploratory ambitions and fame rivaled (and perhaps surpassed) the astronauts of the 1960’s.
March 27, 2022
I'm really not a fan of history books, but this was mildly interesting. I liked the small tidbits explaining the origin of words and phrases, and seeing how Captain Cook changed as he grew older was neat. But to be honest if I didn't switch to the audiobook version I don't know if I would have ever gotten through this book.
March 8, 2018
Fascinating read! The story is very interesting, and it's written in a way that makes the time period, the Royal Navy details, and the geographical details accessible to a reader who has little in the way of experience with these subjects.
April 3, 2021
A solid 4/5. I would read it again in the future.
October 3, 2024
Pretty good. Reads almost like historical fiction at times
April 7, 2023
This is my second Dugard book, and is likely my last. The story of Captain James Cook is most certainly a thrilling one, but I do not like how Dugard writes.
February 12, 2023
We've all heard of him but to most, he's just a name. The introduction here casually explains why this is so. I think a brilliant example from my own experience is Captain Cook's restaurant at the Polynesian Resort in Disney World. Many people think it's just a play on words. Few put together that the real Captain Cook explored large areas of Polynesia. It's a clever, subtle nod.
Very early in the book it is expressed that things do not go well for the Captain. As we read about his meteoric rise to fame, there's a nagging afterthought that something terrible is about to happen. And indeed it does in time. It's curious to see the politics behind the missions. The absolute necessity to have a win in a time when faith in Britain was failing due to the feud with the colonies.
It is not her story, but I would have been eager to read about Elizabeth's view on things. Recently I've come across books about Pirates or Sailors and then shortly discovered books about their spouses and the struggles they faced. All we are told is that Elizabeth and the children were well taken care of during Cook's long sea voyages. Still, I feel that there's something there. How to exist in a world without your beloved, knowing they are achieving greatness. Both Cook and Elizabeth were devoted to each other entirely. That's a striking story.
I admit, it blindsided me after reading of so many Pirates, Sailors, and Explorers that sign on because of riches, fame, or force that the crew of the Endeavor and Cook's subsequent ships signed on because they want to get laid in Tahiti. This is repeated often throughout the book. I've never heard that before. Sure, obviously these men throughout history would want to have sex at some point but to just bluntly say "This is the main reason they are doing this" was new to me. Kudos to them.
It must have been hard for Cook. I know how I am. I'll take the admiration without the effort. The minute I actually have to earn admiration from someone, then I feel it's over. You should admire me *more* because of my effort. My ego is unbearable. Cook wanted to be a legend. He wanted to be in the history books. Yet his third voyage at the height of his fame was disastrous. Here is a man with all the pressure hanging over his head thinking he's returning to greatness while the world itself has been in constant change. There's a moment where, after resorting to brutality finally, he is invited to a grand feast. It was actually a plot to kill him and his men which didn't pan out. He was oblivious to the danger.
James Cook was one of the greatest explorers in our history. At one time, man strived for greatness. James Cook achieved it.
Very early in the book it is expressed that things do not go well for the Captain. As we read about his meteoric rise to fame, there's a nagging afterthought that something terrible is about to happen. And indeed it does in time. It's curious to see the politics behind the missions. The absolute necessity to have a win in a time when faith in Britain was failing due to the feud with the colonies.
It is not her story, but I would have been eager to read about Elizabeth's view on things. Recently I've come across books about Pirates or Sailors and then shortly discovered books about their spouses and the struggles they faced. All we are told is that Elizabeth and the children were well taken care of during Cook's long sea voyages. Still, I feel that there's something there. How to exist in a world without your beloved, knowing they are achieving greatness. Both Cook and Elizabeth were devoted to each other entirely. That's a striking story.
I admit, it blindsided me after reading of so many Pirates, Sailors, and Explorers that sign on because of riches, fame, or force that the crew of the Endeavor and Cook's subsequent ships signed on because they want to get laid in Tahiti. This is repeated often throughout the book. I've never heard that before. Sure, obviously these men throughout history would want to have sex at some point but to just bluntly say "This is the main reason they are doing this" was new to me. Kudos to them.
It must have been hard for Cook. I know how I am. I'll take the admiration without the effort. The minute I actually have to earn admiration from someone, then I feel it's over. You should admire me *more* because of my effort. My ego is unbearable. Cook wanted to be a legend. He wanted to be in the history books. Yet his third voyage at the height of his fame was disastrous. Here is a man with all the pressure hanging over his head thinking he's returning to greatness while the world itself has been in constant change. There's a moment where, after resorting to brutality finally, he is invited to a grand feast. It was actually a plot to kill him and his men which didn't pan out. He was oblivious to the danger.
James Cook was one of the greatest explorers in our history. At one time, man strived for greatness. James Cook achieved it.
December 21, 2024
The book recounts the remarkable journeys of a self-taught sailor who rose from obscurity to become one of history’s most celebrated explorers. Quickly mastering navigation, Cook joined the British Navy and married a woman of contrasting temperament, forging a strong and enduring partnership. His meticulous observations of a solar eclipse caught the attention of the Royal Society, who later selected him to lead a daring expedition to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus.
Onboard the Endeavour, tensions arose with naturalist Joseph Banks, but Cook’s leadership was cemented after Banks’s recklessness resulted in the death of his servants. In Tahiti, Cook struggled to manage relations with the locals, including retrieving stolen scientific equipment and dealing with a marine’s fatal encounter with a native. Despite completing the Venus observations, Cook was frustrated by inconclusive results. His prestige wavered until he saved the Endeavour from a catastrophic reef collision.
Back in England, Cook was tasked with finding Antarctica. In a daring 1772 voyage aboard the Resolution, accompanied by the unreliable captain of Adventure, he ventured further south than any man before him, concluding that the polar ice extended to the pole. This triumph solidified his reputation as the greatest navigator of his age. However, on subsequent journeys, Pacific islanders grew wary of their European visitors, undermining Cook’s earlier command over these far-flung territories.
Fame led Cook to undertake a final mission: the search for the Northwest Passage. Distracted by fame and poorly preparing his ship, the expedition was plagued by setbacks. Narrowly missing the passage, Cook retreated to Hawaii. An altercation over a stolen cutter escalated, leading to Cook’s violent death at the hands of the Hawaiians. His body was partly consumed in ritualistic fashion, though some remains were returned to his crew.
Today, Cook’s legacy endures, commemorated by an obelisk in Hawaii on a piece of land ceded to Britain by the US government.
Onboard the Endeavour, tensions arose with naturalist Joseph Banks, but Cook’s leadership was cemented after Banks’s recklessness resulted in the death of his servants. In Tahiti, Cook struggled to manage relations with the locals, including retrieving stolen scientific equipment and dealing with a marine’s fatal encounter with a native. Despite completing the Venus observations, Cook was frustrated by inconclusive results. His prestige wavered until he saved the Endeavour from a catastrophic reef collision.
Back in England, Cook was tasked with finding Antarctica. In a daring 1772 voyage aboard the Resolution, accompanied by the unreliable captain of Adventure, he ventured further south than any man before him, concluding that the polar ice extended to the pole. This triumph solidified his reputation as the greatest navigator of his age. However, on subsequent journeys, Pacific islanders grew wary of their European visitors, undermining Cook’s earlier command over these far-flung territories.
Fame led Cook to undertake a final mission: the search for the Northwest Passage. Distracted by fame and poorly preparing his ship, the expedition was plagued by setbacks. Narrowly missing the passage, Cook retreated to Hawaii. An altercation over a stolen cutter escalated, leading to Cook’s violent death at the hands of the Hawaiians. His body was partly consumed in ritualistic fashion, though some remains were returned to his crew.
Today, Cook’s legacy endures, commemorated by an obelisk in Hawaii on a piece of land ceded to Britain by the US government.
August 2, 2021
A very enjoyable book that maintains good velocity from beginning to end. I was inspired to read this book by the vandalism that has recently been infected upon statues of Cook here in Canada as the country wrestles with the sad news of many unmarked Graves being discovered at the grounds of former residential schools.
It was fascinating to learn through the authors words and quotations extracted from Cook's logs the experiences that both the explorers such as Cook and the many indigenous populations experienced as they encountered one another.
Certainly there appears to have been a tendency to extract far more from the indigenous populations than that which was offered. Sad but true a likely scenario played out in many other cultural encounters on history.
The author presents Cook as being somewhat caring for the indigenous parties with whom he interacted, at least on some instances . Sad to see reasonable intentions on both sides devolve into mistrust and violence.
I do recommend this book for the historical content and the understanding of the machinations and political intrigue that underscored such adventures which was surprising to me.
The author provides a comprehensive view of the man and the challenge and very adequately provides the reader insight to an incredible figure in history.
Mike
It was fascinating to learn through the authors words and quotations extracted from Cook's logs the experiences that both the explorers such as Cook and the many indigenous populations experienced as they encountered one another.
Certainly there appears to have been a tendency to extract far more from the indigenous populations than that which was offered. Sad but true a likely scenario played out in many other cultural encounters on history.
The author presents Cook as being somewhat caring for the indigenous parties with whom he interacted, at least on some instances . Sad to see reasonable intentions on both sides devolve into mistrust and violence.
I do recommend this book for the historical content and the understanding of the machinations and political intrigue that underscored such adventures which was surprising to me.
The author provides a comprehensive view of the man and the challenge and very adequately provides the reader insight to an incredible figure in history.
Mike
July 19, 2014
I can't say I enjoyed this telling of the life of James Cook by Martin Dugard. The author makes much use of hyperbole and little in the way of documentation. He paints the Cook as going from great man of the people to sociopath using somewhat annoying pop-psychiatric references. Can anyone suggest a better book?
September 7, 2015
Great read. I should have read it before Mutiny on the bounty, Heart of the sea, Shackleton and almost any other historical seafaring book as Captain Cook paved the way for the many great explorers of the 1800 - 1900s..
February 28, 2019
Excellent book though I was surprised (if not slightly shocked) there was not a single word about Tupaia, the polynesian navigator who accompanied Cook on his first voyage helping him tremendously to cope with New Zealand natives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews