Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before

by Tony Horwitz, Tony Horwitz

Release Date: March, 2003

Edition: Hardcover

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"Ambition leads me�as far as I think possible for man to go"

In three epic journeys, from 1768 to his death in Hawaii in 1779, Captain James Cook charted most of the south Pacific, the coast of Alaska, and parts of Antarctica, claiming much of it in the name of the king. Despite the fact that he covered 200,000 miles, "explored more of the earth's surface than anyone in history," and redrew the map of the world, Cook remains a relatively obscure historical figure, even in his native land, and is the subject of legend, much of it fanciful, in the places he charted. In celebrating Cook's achievements, analyzing the man and his values, and evaluating his influence, Horwitz attempts to put Cook's discoveries into their rightful perspective.

Accompanied by Roger Williamson, an Aussie free spirit dedicated to wine, women, and fun, author Horwitz travels to those places "discovered" by Captain Cook, describing Cook's reception by indigenous cultures, and observing the cultures as they exist today--in virtually all cases, despoiled by contact with the "civilized" world. Tahiti, Bora Bora, New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, the Aleutian Islands, and Hawaii, before and after western contact, are presented in detail, using Capt. Cook's own journals, the journals of naturalist Joseph Banks (who accompanied him on his important first voyage), drawings by Cook's artists, and the research of Cook biographer John Beaglehole to establish the pre-contact cultures. Horwitz's personal observations, interviews with local inhabitants, and on-site research assess the lasting effects.

Cook becomes accessible as a personality because of his friendship with Banks, who often served as his sounding board, and, it appears, loosened him up a bit. Naturally expansive and enthusiastic, and uninhibited by responsibilities and the sense of morality which seemed to dominate Cook, Banks serves as a foil to Cook. While Cook conscientiously records the contours of islands, Banks is far more interested in getting to know the local residents. Horwitz's friend Williamson, on the trip primarily for fun, not scholarship, serves the same purpose in Horwitz's book, creating humorous diversions both for Horwitz and the reader and spicing up Horwitz's serious research.

Fascinating as a biography of the complex Capt. Cook, as a lively record of the age of exploration, as a modern adventure to "romantic" south Pacific islands, and as research on cultural anthropology, this is an exhilarating and fast-paced narrative, one which will reward careful reading and cause the reader to examine the dubious results of "civilization." Horwitz obviously enjoyed his research, and the reader will, too, however vicariously. Mary Whipple

Cook Now and Then in this Informative and Witty Tale

If you liked "Confederates in the Attic," you'll like Tony Horwitz's latest effort "Blue Latitudes."

Journalist-turned-author Horwitz seeks to follow in Captain James Cook's footsteps to both alight upon lands discovered and visited by Cook as well as ascertain the legacy contact with the famed explorer produced around the Pacific Rim.

As with "Confederates..", Horwitz alternates between history and the present. This adventure's sidekick, Roger, is an affable foil for Horwitz and provides some of the book's lighter moments. Roger embraces the mission, but also the chance to go "crumpeting" around polynesia with his ever present bottle in tow. His "funster" role does grow to approximate the author's appreciation for Captain Cook by the end of the book and serves as a merry distraction throughout.

Four or so pages of Tony and Roger exploring Cook's old haunts are followed by four or so pages describing Cook's life and journeys. This interspersion continues throughout the book and works well. This organization keeps the focus on the imprint Cook's visits had on native people and their cultures as well as providing for a light easy to read format.
Horwitz begins his quest by signing up for a week cruise in a replica of the Endeavor (Cook's first ship) as it plies windy and tossed seas off the Pacific Northwest. Armed with this touch of experience, he and his pal mostly jet to Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, the Aleutian Islands - "boldly going where Captain Cook has gone before" as the sub title states.

The inevitable conclusion one draws from Cook's visits is that a series of insular cultures did not survive well or long first contact with Europeans. Most islands today have a fraction or less of the native population that hosted Captain Cook. Disease, manipulation, the sudden imposition a material culture and avarice produced their predictable results. Horwitz does not blame Cook, for if not him some other wind born adventurer would have brought the same calling card within a few years. Cook was actually enlightened in his attitudes towards crew welfare and obligations towards natives. The author only tells the story of change and contact with Cook did bring change -- on a massive scale.

This is an engaging and entertaining book. Though not a full biography of Cook or a detailed telling of his three voyages, it gives an excellent overview of the man and his legacy. The modern day cuts and informative and told in the same witty observational style that made "Confederates" such an enjoyable experience.