Overview
Looking out form his ship, Captain James Cook saw a field of ice disappearing into the horizon. Cook and his crew had crossed the Antarctic Circle in search of a mythical Southern Continent, but could proceed no farther. Captain Cook had sailed thousands of miles on the Pacific Ocean, exploring many Pacific islands, such as Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. He made charts that would be used into the twentieth century and proved that no Southern Continent existed. Author Stephen Feinstein examines the life of this famed British explorer.
Synopsis
Looking out form his ship, Captain James Cook saw a field of ice disappearing into the horizon. Cook and his crew had crossed the Antarctic Circle in search of a mythical Southern Continent, but could proceed no farther. Captain Cook had sailed thousands of miles on the Pacific Ocean, exploring many Pacific islands, such as Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. He made charts that would be used into the twentieth century and proved that no Southern Continent existed. Author Stephen Feinstein examines the life of this famed British explorer.
Children's Literature
Explorers and adventurers can make learning geography more interesting to some readers, and this biography of Captain James Cook will have readers reaching for a world map. After opening with a tense experience in the Great Barrier Reef, the book flows chronologically, giving the reader information about Cook's education and apprenticeships. Quickly, Cook becomes a respected seaman and starts leading his own voyages to discover a large continent south of Australia and a suitable passage north of North America. Despite failing on both accounts since neither exists, Cook creates incredibly accurate maps of Australia and the surrounding waters and embraces available technology. This volume does acknowledge that the expeditions were not positive for the natives of the islands he made famous, but the text sheds light on Cook's own feelings of the good and bad that he was creating. A timeline opens the book, which is quite helpful and well-placed, as well as a glossary, index, chapter notes, and further reading suggestions which conclude the volume. Young explorers will discover the ups and downs of naval expeditions while learning more about world geography. Reviewer: Tiffany Erickson