The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook round the World

This seven-volume illustrated edition of James Cook's journals, originally published in 1821, brings together these celebrated writings in an attractive format.

James Cook (Author), Joseph Banks (Author), John Hawkesworth (Compiled by)

9781108084758, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 August 2015

426 pages, 6 b/w illus. 1 map
21.8 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.57 kg

During Charles Darwin's 1831–6 voyage on the Beagle, his on-board library included 'Cook's voyages' (the edition is not specified). This illustrated 1821 edition, in seven volumes, is representative of the versions available in the early nineteenth century. Volumes 1 and 2 cover the first Pacific voyage of James Cook (1728–79), the object of which was to observe the 1769 transit of Venus from Tahiti. The text replicates the version published in 1773 by John Hawkesworth (1715–73) as part of a collection of 'Voyages … in the Southern Hemisphere', which interwove Cook's account with botanical and ethnographical notes by the ship's naturalist, Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820). The journals were only published separately much later: Cook's in 1893 (ed. Wharton) and Banks' in 1896 (ed. Hooker); both are also available. Volume 1 narrates the voyage to Tahiti, the observations there, and the explorers' first impressions of New Zealand.

Introduction to the first voyage
Book I: 1. The passage from Plymouth to Madeira
2. The passage from Madeira to Rio de Janeiro
3. The passage from Rio de Janeiro to the entrance of the Strait of Le Maire, with a description of some of the inhabitants of Terra del Fuego
4. An account of what happened in ascending a mountain to search for plants
5. The passage through the Strait of Le Maire
6. A general description of the south-east part of Terra del Fuego
7. The sequel of the passage from Cape Horn to the newly discovered islands in the South Seas
8. Arrival of the Endeavour at Otaheite
9. A place fixed upon for an observatory and fort
10. An excursion to the eastward
11. The observatory set up
12. Some ladies visit the fort with very uncommon ceremonies
13. Another visit to Tootahah, with various adventures
14. Ceremonies of an Indian funeral
15. An account of the circumnavigation of the island
16. An expedition of Mr Banks to trace the river
17. A particular description of the island
18. Of the manufactures, boats, and navigation of Otaheite
19. Of the division of time in Otaheite, with some general observations for the use of future navigators
20. A description of several other islands in the neighbourhood of Otaheite
Book II: 1. The passage from Oteroah to New Zealand
2. A description of Poverty Bay
3. The range from Tolaga to Mercury Bay
4. The range from Mercury Bay to the Bay of Islands
5. Range from the Bay of Islands round North Cape to Queen Charlotte's Sound
6. Transactions in Queen Charlotte's Sound.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]