Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before
Boldly Going Where Gone Before: Blue Latitudes is Tony Horwitz’s account of Captain James Cook’s eighteenth-century voyages, paired with the author’s modern travels to places Cook visited. The ebook listing describes a blend of maritime history, travel writing, Cook’s legacy, and first-person sailing aboard a replica vessel.
At a glance
- Combines Cook’s historical voyages with Horwitz’s journeys in the places he visited.
- Includes a first-person account of sailing as a working crewman aboard a replica of Cook’s vessel.
- Explores how Cook’s encounters are remembered by people in the places he reached.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The mix of biography, maritime history, and present-day travel gives the subject more than a conventional voyage chronology.
- The listing describes an accessible narrative with humor alongside historical and cultural reflection.
- Kindle features include Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.
Cons
- At 500 pages, it is a substantial read rather than a brief introduction to Cook.
Technical specifications
12 specifications| Publisher | Henry Holt and Co. |
|---|---|
| Publication date | August 1, 2003 |
| Edition | First |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 500 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1429969574 |
| File size | 3.4 MB |
|---|---|
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Page Flip | Enabled |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Captain Cook, maritime exploration, and eighteenth-century history.
- Travel-writing readers who want historical context alongside modern accounts of Pacific destinations.
- Readers who value humorous storytelling and discussion of the legacy of exploration.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a concise reference guide or a strictly chronological primary-source account.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
64% 64% - 4 stars
26% 26% - 3 stars
8% 8% - 2 stars
2% 2% - 1 star
0% 0%
Customer feedback describes the book as informative and well-written, with particular appreciation for its history of Cook’s adventures, humor, and travel-oriented storytelling. That response fits the listing’s combination of historical narrative and Horwitz’s journeys, while readers seeking a concise or purely documentary account may find the substantial 500-page length and personal travel elements less suited to their needs.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the historical content about Cook’s adventures and the engaging, humorous storytelling.
- Feedback also appreciates the travel perspective and reflections on places readers may not visit themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What does Blue Latitudes cover?
It recounts Captain James Cook’s three eighteenth-century voyages and follows Tony Horwitz’s later travels to places Cook visited, including reflections on Cook’s legacy.
Is this only a biography of Captain Cook?
No. The listing presents it as both a Cook history and a travelogue, including Horwitz’s experience sailing aboard a replica of Cook’s vessel.
What Kindle reading features are listed?
The listing specifies Screen Reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.
Who is likely to enjoy this book?
It is aimed at readers interested in exploration history, travel writing, Pacific places, and an engaging narrative style.
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