Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating account of exploration and discovery
Review: This biography of the explorer and seafarer Cook tells of a man who never even saw the sea in his early years. Once he did, he moved from a farm boy to captain of the Royal Navy, leading historic journeys which opened up new worlds. Farther Than Any Man examines both Captain Cook's life and the politics of his times, combining history and biography in a fascinating account of exploration and discovery - both personal and historic.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the bibliography?
Review: This is an interesting and well-written book about James Cook, the Englishman who explored so much of the Pacific and Polynesian areas of the globe. The writing is colorful, and it keeps the reader interested in the narrative line. My one problem with the work, however, is the total lack of a bibliography, and footnotes. While I don't necessarily look at all footnotes in a work, when the author discusses a person's private thoughts or feelings, I like to know that his writing is based uopon something he has read, from whatever source. Without either footnotes or bibliography I don't know where the author's lines originated, and that makes me wonder a bit about his writing and research style. Read the book to learn about Cook's life and explorations, but be cautious about accepting everything the author says, in light of his lack of providing documentation.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Bad, Not Great
Review: Though "Farther Than Any Man ...." provides an inventoried account of Cook's voyages, I can't help feeling disappointed with this book. Too much verbiage is focused upon Cook's habitual characteristics (how many times must we be reminded that Cook harbored a desire for greatness despite his status in a class-based society?); as a result, the reader never gains a connection to or appreciation of Cook's travles (especially the wonderful and diverse worlds Cook explored). In the end this book felt more like a work of hero worship than a thorough account of Cook's life and accomplishments.
Rating: 
Summary: Painfully flawed
Review: While the subject is fascinating, so many inaccuracies crop up that it makes the rest questionable. Inaccuracies such as the proper names of Royal Navy ranks and ship construction, which are hard to overlook. Hasn't he done the research? Is he dumbing it down for a general, nonspecialist audience? Is the 'adventure story' taking precedence over the facts? By contrast, some other biographies of the era (such as Patrick O'Brian's 'Joseph Banks: A Life') are reliable both in detail and in general. You can depend on the author's having done the research. I hope the author takes the time to edit and improve this in the second edition. For the moment, I cannot recommend it.
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