First Voyage: Being the full and authentic story of the great discoveries made by Lt James Cook - Commanding H.M. Bark
Endeavour
in the great south seas in the years 1768-1771.
By John Gwyther
Published by Andrew Melrose: London 1954 1st Edition
"First Voyage: Being the Full and Authentic Story of the Great Discoveries Made by Lt James Cook by John Gwyther is a classic mid-twentieth-century narrative history of Captain Cook's first Pacific voyage aboard H.M. Bark Endeavour between 1768 and 1771. Written in a clear, authoritative style, Gwyther draws closely on Cook's journals and contemporary accounts to chart the expedition from Cook's early naval career through the epic journey across the Atlantic, around Cape Horn, into the Pacific, and onward to Tahiti, New Zealand, and the eastern coast of Australia. The work conveys both the grandeur and the human cost of exploration, balancing scientific ambition, navigational skill, and endurance against the ever-present dangers of disease, weather, and the unknown.
Published in London by Andrew Melrose in 1954 as a first edition, the book is well illustrated with maps, portraits, and period images that reinforce its documentary character and make it an accessible yet serious account of one of the most consequential voyages in maritime history. Gwyther's narrative situates Cook not merely as an explorer, but as a disciplined naval officer and careful observer whose first voyage reshaped European understanding of the Pacific world. This volume would appeal to readers of maritime exploration, students of Australian and New Zealand history, and collectors of classic Cook and Pacific exploration literature."
Light wear and fading to covers and spine. Very light foxing to first few pages with the majority of the book clean and well presented. A nice copy in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
