Captain James Cook was a master voyager and a seeker of knowledge who commanded three demanding scientific expeditions. He and his crews had encounters with peoples of the South Seas which led to mutual respect and trade, but also to misunderstanding and violence. His death at the hands of Hawaiians turned him into a legendary figure, a hero of the Enlightenment who was said to have sacrificed his life bringing "civilization" to the Pacific.Yet despite everything that is known about this sea captain"s many adventures, the man himself remains shrouded in mystery. In this book, Dan O"Sullivan casts vivid light on Cook"s character, teasing out his personality from the pages of his own journals.