The Death of Captain Cook and Other Writings by David Samwell

(Paperback)

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Description

The voyages of Captain Cook are endlessly fascinating to a wide audience, and no aspect of them has been more controversial than Cook's death. This book reprints one of the classic accounts of this episode, the vivid and lively narrative by one of the voyage surgeons, David Samwell. This book not only makes Samwell's "Narrative of the Death of Captain James Cook" readily available for the first time, but presents it with Samwell's previously unpublished letters relating to Cook's third voyage, and his poetry. The introductory essays discuss Samwell's contribution to our understanding of this dramatic period in Pacific and maritime history, and examine the personality and career of Samwell himself.

Reviews

"The work of Martin Fitzpatrick and Nicholas Thomas is widely respected in the academic community. Both are distinguished senior scholars, and both have produced work of the highest quality. Readers familiar with their previous publications will not be disappointed with The Death of Captain Cook." Dr Andrew Hassam, Director of Australian Studies Program, National Centre for Australian Studies, Australia'The Death of Captain Cook and other Writings by David Samwell is a wonderful addition to the scholarship on James Cook's voyages. This book is a marvelous compilation of scholarly reflections and original materials relating to David Samwell, and the product of a rewarding collaboration between the authors. I commend it warmly to all those interested in Captain Cook, his shipmates, and their adventures in the Pacific.'Anne Salmond, Journal of Pacific History

Author Bio

Prof. Nicholas Thomas is Head of the Anthropology Dept. at Goldsmith University, London, and previously Director of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research (Australia). Dr. Martin Fitzpatrick is former Senior Lecturer in History and Welsh History, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and has published widely on eighteenth century literature. Jenny Newell is Assistant Curator of the Pacific and Australian Collection, Dept. of Ethnography, British Museum and has contributed to a number of publications on eighteenth century travel/exploration.