Since first reported to the world in 1780; the death of Captain Cook on a Hawaiian beach the previous year has been revered; celebrated; and shrouded in mystery. Simultaneously called a hero and an antihero; a ruthless invader; and a torchbearer of the Enlightenment; Cook’s reputation grew as much out of the moving story of his death as out of his adventures while he lived. In a style that is more detective story than conventional biography; Glyn Williams explores the multiple narratives of Cook’s death. He reveals how the British Admiralty first attempted to censor accounts of Cook’s erratic behavior and how the “authorized†version of his death—a lengthy narrative serialized in the leading publications of the day—reduced the story to the final hours of a noble leader who gave his life to save others. Williams argues that the contrary evidence of a chaotic bloody fracas on the beach at Kealakekua Bay was ignored; and that the unexplained disappearance of Cook’s own journal helped the process of concealment. He believes that Cook was not entirely the man sanctified by the British public. More than two hundred years later; an explosive interplay between academic controversy and nationalist feelings has once more drawn attention to a life that has attracted praise and controversy; abhorrence and admiration. In short; Williams examines the story of Cook’s progress from obscurity to fame and; eventually; to infamy—a story that; until now; has never been fully told.
#529905 in Books 2006-04-30 2006-03-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.19 x 6.13l; 1.50 #File Name: 0674019989464 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The author is giving a historical account of American childhood ...By Donna B.The author is giving a historical account of American childhood. While the content is somewhat interesting; the flow is not always very smooth. Sometimes; the writer is speaking about one time in history and then goes back to another. He will make a statement and then a couple of sentences later; say something opposite. Therefore; sometimes; it gets confusing. I have to read this book for a class; I would not choose to read it and would probably put it down if I did not have to have a quiz on it; at every class. The author has used a lot of resources to write his book.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Children at play....and at work.By KOP ESFI initially purchased this book because the subject matter interested me; but lo and behold;subsequently it was the required text for a college history course I was enrolled in. It is a unique and fascinating look at 400 years of childhood in America. Mintz does a great job of explicating the changes that childhood underwent over the years and centuries. For instance: adolescence is a 20th century creation! Also; the Puritans viewed children as little adults and made no exceptions for their age. In the colonial period American Indian children(especially boys) lived such a carefree existence that frequently abducted colonist children refused to be reunited with their white biological parents mainly due to the life of ardous drudgery which constituted childhood in 18th century New England.This fine work is filled with fascinating bits of information as the aforementioned. It spans the period between the 17th century up to the period of the Columbine massacre; showing the myriad changes which accompanied childhood in America. Great reading and great history; highly recommended. If you have an interest in this subject matter you will not be disappointed. READ IT!!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting and great read! Sometimes you have to take it with ...By MollyVery interesting and great read! Sometimes you have to take it with a grain of salt because the sources aren't always there and facts are obviously not true. But this is a minor thing and obvious when it happens. Overall excellent history of children in America; a rare glimps at something not often studied.
