A classic account of the death of British explorer Captain James Cook is presented for the first time here by David Samwell, a surgeon on Cook's third and final voyage. Samwell, believed by his contemporaries to have been touched by genius, proves not only to be a vivid and lively storyteller but a fascinating figure in his own right. Samwell's understanding of Cook's death leads to wider ramifications concerning the native societies involved in the voyage. The book also includes Samwell's poetry and his previously unpublished letters relating to the voyage, and introductory essays that assess his overall contribution to both Pacific and maritime history while further exploring the dimensions of his personality and career.
