Captain Cook

by Alistair MacLean

Mr. MacLean's achievement in this book is to present a graphic and lively account of this great explorer, and to describe in exciting detail his three amazing voyages and the adventures that befell him, his crews, and his ships in lands that until he sailed were in many cases unknown.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Australia, Historical, Adventure, Travel

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 1972

About the author

Alistair Stuart MacLean (Scottish Gaelic: Alasdair MacGill-Eain), the son of a Scots Minister, was brought up in the Scottish Highlands. In 1941, at the age of eighteen, he joined the Royal Navy; two and a half years spent aboard a cruiser were to give him the background for HMS Ulysses, his first novel, the outstanding documentary novel on the war at sea. After the war he gained an English Honours degree at Glasgow University, and became a schoolmaster. In 1983, he was awarded a D. Litt. from the same university.

Maclean is the author of twenty-nine world bestsellers and recognised as an outstanding writer in his own genre. Many of his titles have been adapted for film - The Guns of the Navarone, The Satan Bug, Force Ten from Navarone, Where Eagles Dare and Bear Island are among the most famous.

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although born in obscurity, James Cook became the greatest combination of seaman, navigator and cartographer that the country had ever known. His three voyages around the world between 1768 and 1779 saw him explore the Pacific Ocean, chart the coasts of New Zealand, although missing the harbour that became Wellington, explore the eastern coast of Australia, although missing the harbour that became Sydney, explore the Great Barrier Reef, travel thousands of miles in an attempt to find the North West Passage, sail the coast of North America, navigate the Bering Strait and venture further south than any other man had ever done in his quest to prove, or otherwise, the existence of Alexander Dalrymple's contention that there was a Great Southern Continent. [MacLean suggests that missing those two later important harbours was probably due to the fact that he sailed past them in the dead of night.]

Once he had made his name known, he was gripped by a boundless passion for new horizons and all along the way he claimed territory for Great Britain and named, or even renamed, practically every place and promontory that he discovered, usually naming them after some important person or place in Great Britain; indeed he was the greatest namer of places in history.

On his travels he regularly visited Tahiti, where he was much loved and respected, indeed, he became a committed Tahitian. In addition he had a special connection with Hawaii where he was also held in great esteem. Sadly his end came there on 14 February 1799 at Kealakekua Bay when he took a landing party to sort out some relatively minor indiscretions by the natives, including stealing a canoe and some of the armourers tools. Ironically, he was later reported as saying by one of his crew on the eve of his death, 'I am afraid that these people will oblige me to use some violent measures: for they must not be left to imagine that they have gained an advantage over us.'

The following morning Cook and some armed marines went ashore, a fight broke out and Cook was killed. The man who had said, 'I, who had ambition not only to go further than anyone had done before, but as far as it was possible for man to go ...' was dead. He was buried at sea on 22 February as his ships, the Resolution and the Discovery made their way home, after once more investigating the Berring Strait and the Arctic with no more success than Cook had the previous summer.

Alastair MacLean has produced a fine, comprehensive, graphic and lively biography in his usual chatty and eminently readable style. It is without doubt as thrilling as many of his novels, of which I found the first I read, 'The Guns of Navarone', to be one of the finest.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this is a history book. Just 184 pages printed on that old-fashioned thick vellum (actually, I don't know if it's vellum, I just wanted to use that word) and plenty of pictures. And maps.

Alistair MacLean wrote "Ice Station Zebra", one of my favorite movies, and "The Guns of Navarone".

Here, he gives us a quick, no-nonsense history of Captain James Cook beginning with the fact that we really don't know anything about him. There were really no surviving family members and what writing (over a million words, according to MacLean) Cook left behind, is entirely a journal of his activities; it says nothing about the man himself. Indeed, he only mentions his wife twice, and one of those times incidentally.

So what does MacLean write? Just the facts that are known, in the order that they happened. For the average lay person, this is all one would really need to know. He sailed further and for longer than any other man, went places no other man had gone before (and, in some cases, since). He named about ten zillion bodies of land and claimed it all in the name of England, even if someone already owned it.

In between, MacLean takes shots at all the other books on Cook, claiming (I don't know if he is correct or not) that anything beyond what he wrote is simply supposition on the part of the author. For example, at one point, after Cook lands in Tahiti, MacLean says something to the effect of "if this were a typical Cook biography, I would go on for about twenty pages about how beautiful and wonderful Tahiti is." However, he points out, no one really knows what it was like and besides, it's irrelevant to the Cook story. So he says, basically, "Cook landed on Tahiti. Next..."

Quick, fun read, in my opinion.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise, light, and readable biography of Captain James Cook that is partially unsuccessful. MacLean admits in the book that there was/is little actual information on Cook as a human being, but a multitude on what he did. Nonetheless, the author did a good job at describing Cook's life using broad literary strokes (and some phases that would be eccentric if one uttered them now)to create a biography that is not intellectually taxing and does not require prior context to enjoy. Worth reading as a quick refresher on Captain Cook, and as a reminder on little was know about the world in its entirety during that time period.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having moved to the North Coast I wanted to read about Cook since he explored the coast and named so many of the bays and promontories of the region. Being a private man he left behind very little in personal writings but was an amazing cartographer. This volume is a short biography which suited me. I did not want to wade through the larger tomes which apparently hold much supposition as to his personal life and reason for the actions he took. A nice glimpse into the accomplishments of an amazing man. It may wet your appetite to tackle the more voluminous Captain Cook texts out there.

[Kimberly Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was eye opening to read about these explorations that were undertaken before much of the geography of the world was known, in small wooden ships, purely under wind power, without modern medicine or communication. What profound courage to not just travel but explore under such circumstances. It was sad that native people were killed and exploited in the process, and far fetched ego to think everywhere they landed became the domain of their homeland. What they learned in their journeys about the farthest reaches of the globe is nonetheless outstanding, and I suppose one could say Cook paid for his sins with his own life.

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brisk, engaging recap of the highlights of Cook’s three voyages. It contains enough depth to offer occasional revelations for readers already familiar with Cook’s story. MacLean sometimes stumbles over what he is trying to say, but admirably he resists presenting speculation or conjecture as fact. MacLean’s praise for Cook’s achievements, given his own experience in naval matters both fictional and otherwise, underscores the greatness of the man himself.

[Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history book full of adventure. I am amazed at what men accomplished with what they had at the time. Their perserverance in the face of such adversity is not found in modern times.

[De Wet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stripped of all excess weight, this is a lean and straightforward account of Captain James Cook's life and achievements. MacLean sticks to the facts without embellishments, and the book has a nice collection of pictures plus a map of Cook's journeys to supplement the narrative.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is honest to only record known facts of Captain Cook's life, but he admits that these facts are hard to come by with such a reclusive figure. Refusing to surmise makes the book a little bit dry, but the facts we do know make up for it.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to read more biographies! I never even knew James Cook existed before this. If you'd asked me who discovered Hawaii, or many of the other islands in the Pacific, I would have had no clue. I have to admit that I stretched out reading this because I didn't want to get to the end where Cook was killed. And yet, it was his practice of collective punishment - which led to his death - that makes his life so fascinating. As the author astutely points out, it is easy to look back and say that the policy was morally wrong, but you have to really put yourself in his shoes to examine it. These ships had to stop at native ports regularly for supplies and repairs. If they had tolerated theft and hadn't established their superior firepower, they may have been cannibal-chowder far earlier.

[Oceana2602 · Rating 3 out of 5]

History written for kids, and successfully so, if memory serves correctly.
I read this as a child, but then, I read mostly everything you put in my hands. I never had any big dreams of becoming an explorer by ship, though, so I don't think I was too fascinated by this account of Cook's travels. Jules Verne did much more for me in that regard. Oh, how I wanted to be lost in the African djungels with noone but my best friend and a dog! Or travel to space!
But I guess it's all the same, balloon, space ship, boat... it was just reading a realistic account of things that I didn't enjoy too much back then. I guess I just always prefered my dream world without the nasty reality...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very interesting book. I grew up in Hawaii (Oahu, actually) and knew that he discovered Hawaii, but it was fun to read about his other great accomplishments. It was a really quick read, too. I read it in a few hours.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short summary of Captain Cook's voyages. The book is interesting and a quick read. Their are some interesting pictures as well. Although the book does not have many references and the author does state his own opinion on events. Overall a good overview.

[Nanni Sender · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever. I don't care about how Captain Cook is judged nowadays. He was an amazing and inspirational man, self-taught, self-disciplined and intuitive. And the book is really well written with lots of maps and illustrations. Just what I like.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent popular bio of the great explorer.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable and packed with historical sketches and maps. I love the voice - factual, but telling an interesting story.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, straight-forward history with many illustrations. Includes some criticism of previous Cook histories.

[ACW · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read reprising Cook's itinerary, but little more.

[B T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is the only non-fiction book Alistair MacLean ever wrote. It is a very easy and concise read. It covers his early years and his unusual climb from obscurity to becoming a Post Captain and his three voyages. It also covers his 'almost discoveries', like Antartica, Sydney Harbour, Strait of Juan du Fuca, etc. If you're interested in Captain Cook, I would highly recommend this book. It doesn't go into a lot of analysis, it simply tells Cook's story.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, straight-forward recounting of the life and achievements of one of the greatest explorers of history. Cook arguably brought the Age of Exploration almost to a close. (If he had managed to find Antartica, it could be argued that he did).

MacLean's bio is very readable and avoids speculation that others tend to by reflecting Cook's intense privacy on personal details.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of his voyages and achievements.
His writing suggests thorough research of all sources and presents a very readable, if shorter, biography. MacLean has an admiration for the man which shines through the text.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a mint first edition and loved the old school writing style and glorious photo plates.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this book from the library.

[Mats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, great summary of the life and expeditions performed by Cook.

[AVANTI KUMAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing and concise

A clear telling of Cook’s adventures but from an eagle vantage point. A must read for anyone who wants to journey into new territories.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacLean is just as interesting in his non-fiction as in his adventure stories, with lots of asides and commentary on the bare facts. I really enjoyed this book.

[F S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and informative.

[Pauline Dunleavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

I knew of Captain Cook in very general
terms but was unaware of his great achievement s in sailing round the world. Found the book to be very interesting.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid

First time reading this book by Alistair MacLean on Captain Cook. I found it informative and interesting. Read most of it in one sitting.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting quick study of the greatest ocean explorer ever. Easy to read.