Sea of Dangers: Captain Cook and His Rivals by Geoffrey Blainey

Book Description

Secondhand. Near fine condition.

In 1769, two ships searched for a missing continent: a French merchant ship (the St Jean-Baptiste) commanded by Jean de Surville, and a small British naval vessel (the Endeavour) commanded by James Cook.

In New Zealand waters, the two captains were almost within sight of each other that Christmas, though neither knew of the other's existence.

This is the story of the rival ships and the men who sailed in them - their daily lives and thoughts, the hardships (scurvy, storms, loneliness) and pleasures (discovery, trade, women) they experienced. Their voyages changed the history of Australia and New Zealand. (publisher blurb)