The Murder Of Captain James Cook
By Richard Hough
Published by MacMillan London Limited: London 1979 1st Edition
"A compelling and highly readable historical study, The Murder of Captain James Cook examines the dramatic final voyage and violent death of one of history's greatest maritime explorers. In this 1979 first edition, noted naval historian Richard Hough reconsiders the circumstances surrounding Cook's killing at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii in 1779, arguing that the tragedy arose not from simple misunderstanding alone, but from mounting tensions, exhaustion, and a discernible change in Cook's own judgement and temperament during his final expedition.
Drawing upon journals, naval records, and contemporary accounts, Hough reconstructs the expedition in vivid detail, tracing Cook's remarkable achievements across the Pacific while carefully analysing the sequence of events that culminated in his death. The narrative explores the personalities aboard Resolution and Discovery, the logistical difficulties of eighteenth-century exploration, and the broader imperial ambitions of Britain during the great age of discovery. Rich in maritime atmosphere and historical insight, the work combines scholarly research with the pace and accessibility of a finely written adventure narrative.
Published by MacMillan London Limited and presented in its original illustrated dust jacket, this first edition remains an attractive copy of an enduring work of maritime history. An excellent addition for collectors of exploration, Pacific history, naval studies, and Captain Cook material, the volume offers both serious historical analysis and broad popular appeal. The striking jacket artwork and substantial historical content make it especially appealing for collectors of modern exploration literature and Australiana-related maritime history."
