Blue Latitudes : Boldly Going Where Captain Cook has Gone Before

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful synthesis of travelogue and history
Review: This delightful book combines history with a travel narrative. Captain Cook made three Pacific voyages between 1768 and 1780 to every part of the Pacific, discovering countless lands, bolstering British claims of sovereignty, and creating maps of surprising accuracy. Horwitz, with his alcohol-seeking sidekick and travel companion Roger Williamson, retraces Cook's voyages, relying mainly on air travel, and inquires how Cook is regarded in historical hindsight in the various places he explored. Obviously the indigenous peoples of the Pacific view him negatively, and Horwitz examines both the pro-Cook and the anti-Cook perspectives.

Areas visited by the author include Tahiti, New Zealand, eastern Australia, Niue, Tonga, and Hawaii, as well as Yorkshire and London in England. My favorite part was Horwitz's account of his visit to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, where year-round storms make travel dangerous even in large modern ships. One marvels that an 18th century explorer in a primitive wooden vessel would make a similar voyage, knowing that even if all went well, it would still take a year to return to England.

The book was a bit overlong in places. In some instances, I felt I was reliving Horwitz's travel experiences in real time. But all things considered, this is a wonderful interweaving of history and travelogue.

Rating:
Summary: Horwitz, Out of the "Attic"
Review: Tony Horwitz had a tough task in following up his massively successful "Confederate in the Attic." Give him credit, "Blue Latitudes" certainly is no quickie effort to cash in on Horwitz's now-famous name. Instead, the author travelled tens of thousands of miles researching the legacy of Captain James Cook, arguably the greatest of all European explorers. Like "Attic" the book is part history, part travelogue and part social commentary. Horwitz includes mnay more historical information this time out, most likely because far fewer readers are intimately familiar with Cook's voyages than the Civil War.

Horwitz starts his journey by sailing on a replica of Cook's first ship Endurance to get a feel for 18th Century shipboard life. He then spends most of the remaining time traipsing around the Pacific with his Australian friend Roger, who provides the same kind of narrative counterpoint as Robert Lee Hodge did in "Attic." Horwitz documents the changes that have occurred in Oceania because of Cook's "discoveries" and interviews numerous islanders to find out how they feel about Cook's legacy. The results are often surprising and enlighteneing.

Having said all of that, "Blue Latitudes" is not a classic on the order of "Attic." The narrative is a lengthy at nearly 450 pages and is sluggish at times. Companion Roger is not nearly as interesting a character as was Hodge and the moments of uproarious humor that made "Attic" so entertaining are mostly missing this time out. Nevertheless, "Blue Latitudes" is still a well-written and worthwhile read for those with an interest in the subject matter.

Rating:
Summary: Horwitz does it again...
Review: Tony Horwitz has had two back-to-back smash hits in his Pulitzer prize-winner Baghdad Without a Map and the critically acclaimed Confederates in the Attic. He now has added another gem to his body of work in Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before.

James Cook seems largely to be forgotten to history. Yet, his was probably the most incredible voyage of discovery. Just the story of how Cook came to be a navigator is a fascinating one. In a day where the children of laborers did not receive an education, a mentor took notice of Cook and paid for four years of school. Cook was ambitious and worked hard to fill in the gaps in his education. As a teen, he moved from a store clerk to working on a coal ship to finally joining the Royal Navy, where he rose very rapidly through the ranks.

The tales of Cook's three voyages to the Pacific are an unbelievable story. This man of humble beginnings became one of the world's greatest explorers. In the course of 10 years, his Pacific travels covered over 200,000 miles at a time when one third of the world was unknown and unmapped. He traveled "140 of the earth's 180 degrees latitude, as well as its entire longitude." He probably named more places (rivers, islands, points, bays, bluffs, etc.) than any other man, before or since. He was a shrewd handler of men--both those above and below him in rank. He was a prolific writer of journals and logs, which are still read today. Cook was also a brilliant surveyor and chart maker, and his map of New Zealand was used up until the 1990's (when it was finally replaced by satellite images). His voyages also led to the discovery of thousands of new plants and animals, and his claiming land for Britain helped to eventually lead Britain in becoming a major empire that spanned 11 thousand miles.

But what makes Blue Latitudes a true delight is Horwitz's travelogue. In his attempt to follow in Cook's footsteps and see locations as Cook might have seen them, Horwitz travels to Canada, Tahiti, Bora-Bora, New Zealand, Australia, Niue, Tonga, England, Alaska and Hawaii. With his sidekick Roger, his travels are often hysterical. His week spent on a replica of the Endeavour (complete with 14 inches of hammock space) is especially a hoot. But it is also depressing to discover that the European explorers (not just Cook) changed the way of life on these islands. Many brought with them disease, STD's, materialism and religion. They also tried to eradicate the native culture and native populations. Horwitz also discovered that while Cook is revered in England, he is pretty much reviled among the Pacific nations he visited. Yet ironically, journals, diaries, logs and sketches from Cook's travels are in some cases the only record of these native cultures. It was also distressing to Horwitz was to discover that very little actually exists from Cook's time. Places he lived, worshipped and worked are pretty much gone. The sites he visited are also much changed. Cliff Thornton, president of the Captain Cook Society told Horwitz that "the best you can do is catch an echo of the man. You can almost never reach out and touch him."

The only thing lacking from this almost perfect book is pictures. There are plenty of maps and a painting of Cook. It would have been fascinating to see photos of the many places Horwitz traveled. I don't expect to be traveling to Bora-Bora, Tonga, Niue, Tahiti, or the other locations mentioned any time soon. Still, Blue Latitudes is a wonderful book and even those not much interested in history will find a fascinating story here.

Rating:
Summary: Horwitz does it again...
Review: Tony Horwitz has had two back-to-back smash hits in his Pulitzer prize-winner Baghdad Without a Map and the critically acclaimed Confederates in the Attic. He now has added another gem to his body of work in Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before.

James Cook seems largely to be forgotten to history. Yet, his was probably the most incredible voyage of discovery. Just the story of how Cook came to be a navigator is a fascinating one. In a day where the children of laborers did not receive an education, a mentor took notice of Cook and paid for four years of school. Cook was ambitious and worked hard to fill in the gaps in his education. As a teen, he moved from a store clerk to working on a coal ship to finally joining the Royal Navy, where he rose very rapidly through the ranks.

The tales of Cook's three voyages to the Pacific are an unbelievable story. This man of humble beginnings became one of the world's greatest explorers. In the course of 10 years, his Pacific travels covered over 200,000 miles at a time when one third of the world was unknown and unmapped. He traveled "140 of the earth's 180 degrees latitude, as well as its entire longitude." He probably named more places (rivers, islands, points, bays, bluffs, etc.) than any other man, before or since. He was a shrewd handler of men--both those above and below him in rank. He was a prolific writer of journals and logs, which are still read today. Cook was also a brilliant surveyor and chart maker, and his map of New Zealand was used up until the 1990's (when it was finally replaced by satellite images). His voyages also led to the discovery of thousands of new plants and animals, and his claiming land for Britain helped to eventually lead Britain in becoming a major empire that spanned 11 thousand miles.

But what makes Blue Latitudes a true delight is Horwitz's travelogue. In his attempt to follow in Cook's footsteps and see locations as Cook might have seen them, Horwitz travels to Canada, Tahiti, Bora-Bora, New Zealand, Australia, Niue, Tonga, England, Alaska and Hawaii. With his sidekick Roger, his travels are often hysterical. His week spent on a replica of the Endeavour (complete with 14 inches of hammock space) is especially a hoot. But it is also depressing to discover that the European explorers (not just Cook) changed the way of life on these islands. Many brought with them disease, STD's, materialism and religion. They also tried to eradicate the native culture and native populations. Horwitz also discovered that while Cook is revered in England, he is pretty much reviled among the Pacific nations he visited. Yet ironically, journals, diaries, logs and sketches from Cook's travels are in some cases the only record of these native cultures. It was also distressing to Horwitz was to discover that very little actually exists from Cook's time. Places he lived, worshipped and worked are pretty much gone. The sites he visited are also much changed. Cliff Thornton, president of the Captain Cook Society told Horwitz that "the best you can do is catch an echo of the man. You can almost never reach out and touch him."

The only thing lacking from this almost perfect book is pictures. There are plenty of maps and a painting of Cook. It would have been fascinating to see photos of the many places Horwitz traveled. I don't expect to be traveling to Bora-Bora, Tonga, Niue, Tahiti, or the other locations mentioned any time soon. Still, Blue Latitudes is a wonderful book and even those not much interested in history will find a fascinating story here.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Intro to the Life and Travels of Captain James Cook
Review: Tony Horwitz' book is a terrific, light-hearted and educational introduction into the life and explorations of Captain James Cook.

I first really became aware of Cook when I visited Hawaii for the first time. Later, a Kiwi acquaintance told me a bit more about him, and then while reading W.H. Brands' Franklin biography, I learned that Cook had navigated the St. Lawrence Seaway for the British just prior to the Battle on the Plains of Abraham. I became fascinated with Cook, who seemed to have been everywhere and yet was so little known.

Blue Latitudes is a "where are they now" retracing of Cook's landfalls. More interesting is Horwitz and his sidekick Roger Williamson's, search for physical evidence of Cook's life. It's pretty slim pickings. A man like Cook who spends his life on the sea doesn't leave many traces on land. Cook was almost as elusive as the historical Jesus: someone who had a great impact on the world but didn't leave too many footprints.

Horwitz could have found no better traveling mate than Williamson. First, Roger brings a lot of boozy humour to the book (maybe too much!). Second, he like Cook is a native son of Yorkshire who also made it to Australia. Third, Cook's crewman of the same surname played a role in Cook's untimely death.

The book could have used more maps. Nice glossy color pictures would have been nice too. Overall, though, it's a fun first foray into the life and travels of Captain James Cook.

Rating:
Summary: Blue Latitudes
Review: What do we know about one of the greatest circumnavigators and explorers of all times, Captain James Cook?
Perhaps it can be best summed up in the introduction to Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Horwitz's riveting book Blue Latitutdes, when the author refers to Alistair MacLean's statement "we know all about Cook and we know nothing about him."

To unravel the mystery, Horwitz retraces the three great epic voyages of Cook. We travel with him to such destinations as Bora Bora, the Bering Sea, The Great Barrier Reef, Tonga, Kealakekua Bay, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Savage Island, and Alaska.
Meticulously Horwitz researches his topic and brilliantly intertwines his own personal travel experiences with those documented by Cook and his crew.
Moreover our author's keen intellect is effectively captured in the conversations he conducts with many of the various local inhabitants whom he spontaneously encounters during his wanderings.

From these discussions and research we notice the dichotomy of Cook's legacy. On the one hand there are those, such as historian Bernard Smith, who contend, "that wherever he went he was spreading the curses much more liberally than the benefits of European civilization."
In fact, some of the natives and their descendants Horwitz encounters, considered Cook to be a heinous character that wrought on native people: disease, greed, thievery and prostitution.
On the other hand, many rightfully point out that when Cook commenced his voyages, a third of the world remained blank. When he violently was killed in 1779 in Hawaii, the world's map was substantially complete.

Apart from researching the geographical settings of Cook's voyages, Horwitz also experienced the life as a shipman during the era of this great globetrotter.
In order to accomplish this feat, the author initiates his journey by signing up as a volunteer crewmember of a museum-quality replica of Cook's first ship called the Endeavour.
The boat travelled from Gig Harbour, Washington to Vancouver, British Colombia.
At each port the ship's professional crew took on volunteers to help sail the next leg.
The objective was to experience the lifestyles of eighteenth century sailors and, as we discover from reading the first chapter, this mission was accomplished, to a limited degree.

Blue Latitudes is a truly remarkable book in that the author tackles a considerable undertaking in order to expose the ghosts of the past. No doubt, after reading the book, we gain a tremendous amount of knowledge pertaining to this renowned adventurer. Although, we may still ask, will the real James Cook stand up, in order that we can identify him?

This review first appeared on reviewer's own site
www.bookpleasures.com