The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

For those seeking vicarious adventure on the high seas. On July 12th, 1776, infamous British explorer Captain James Cook set sail on the HMS Resolution. He would not return: he was killed while trying to take the Hawaiian chief hostage less than three years later. Unlike many of his peers, Cook was known for respecting Indigenous people so how did this happen? Hampton Sides details the thrills and perils of 1700s exploration, Cook’s changing personality on this final voyage, and why his actions led to his demise, leaving a controversial legacy behind.