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aleber's review against another edition
3.0
Super fun and interesting. I loved how Horwitz split between Cook's time and his own adventures. It touched on interesting conversations around colonialism, discovery, cultural identity and involved many voices from the first nations in those respective places. That being said, I do think it could have been 2/3 of the length. Also, there is some dad humor that is not (and will not) age well.
All in all, an interesting read
All in all, an interesting read
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
Apparently what I knew about Captain James Cook could have been put on the back of a postage stamp and there would still be plenty of room for the adhesive. In this wonderful book, Tony Horwitz uses Captain Cook's journals of his voyages of discovery and sets out to visit many of the same places that Cook explored to try to understand the magnitude of Cook's accomplishments and to uncover how Cook is viewed in the Pacific Rim in the early 21st century. His travels took him to Australia--his home base, to New Zealand, Bora Bora, Tonga, England, Alaska and Hawaii, where Cook was killed, to name just a few. Along the way, he uncovers some unsettling and interesting history, meets some real characters, and realizes that Cook does not get the respect from historians that he deserves. On a completely different note, Horwitz travels with an Aussie named Roger who was a complete riot. Roger, the book would not have been the same without you.
swoody788's review against another edition
4.0
Very Bill Bryson-esque but I think I might like Horwitz's style better. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Captain Cook and his legacy across the Pacific from historic accounts as well as modern-day sentiments of residents of the lands he added to the western world's map. Entertaining way to get a good grasp on the history of Oceania, but I could've done without some of the author's exploits.
meganmme's review against another edition
5.0
Here is another all time favorite. I've read it a few times--half history, half humor book. The author and his friend are a riot and the history is well written and interesting.
macfiar's review against another edition
1.0
I read a lot of books and I have three rules. I. no animal abuse. 2. If there is sexual abuse in the book it better be historical and true. 3. no cannibalism.
This book has cannibalism in paragraph two. I'm out.
This book has cannibalism in paragraph two. I'm out.
pattieod's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as "Confederates in the Attic", but still worth a read. I knew nothing about Cook's travels going into it, and learned a lot. Horowitz makes an interesting tour guide, although the book could have used some pruning.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
2.0
I managed to make it two-thirds of the way through this book before losing interest completely. The author tends to ramble and while I like the slice of life that he's giving and the historical information about Captain Cook's sea voyages, it's not enough to keep me reading.
The teeter-totter between present day and Cook's time can be jarring and some of the information included just feels random and unrelated to the central story. I think this could have been much more tightly written.
The teeter-totter between present day and Cook's time can be jarring and some of the information included just feels random and unrelated to the central story. I think this could have been much more tightly written.