The Wide Wide Sea

Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

By: Hampton Sides

Narrated by: Peter Noble

Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR FOR 2024 BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • A “thrilling and superbly crafted” (The Wall Street Journal) account of the most momentous voyage of the Age of Exploration, which culminated in Captain James Cook’s death in Hawaii, and left a complex and controversial legacy still debated to this day.

“Hampton Sides, an acclaimed master of the nonfiction narrative, has taken on Cook’s story and retells it for the 21st century.”—Los Angeles Times

On July 12th, 1776, Captain James Cook, already lionized as the greatest explorer in British history, set off on his third voyage in his ship the HMS Resolution. Two-and-a-half years later, on a beach on the island of Hawaii, Cook was killed in a conflict with native Hawaiians. How did Cook, who was unique among captains for his respect for Indigenous peoples and cultures, come to that fatal moment?

Hampton Sides’ bravura account of Cook’s last journey both wrestles with Cook’s legacy and provides a thrilling narrative of the titanic efforts and continual danger that characterized exploration in the 1700s. Cook was renowned for his peerless seamanship, his humane leadership, and his dedication to science–the famed naturalist Joseph Banks accompanied him on his first voyage, and Cook has been called one of the most important figures of the Age of Enlightenment. He was also deeply interested in the native people he encountered. In fact, his stated mission was to return a Tahitian man, Mai, who had become the toast of London, to his home islands. On previous expeditions, Cook mapped huge swaths of the Pacific, including the east coast of Australia, and initiated first European contact with numerous peoples. He treated his crew well, and endeavored to learn about the societies he encountered with curiosity and without judgment.

Yet something was different on this last voyage. Cook became mercurial, resorting to the lash to enforce discipline, and led his two vessels into danger time and again. Uncharacteristically, he ordered violent retaliation for perceived theft on the part of native peoples. This may have had something to do with his secret orders, which were to chart and claim lands before Britain’s imperial rivals could, and to discover the fabled Northwest Passage. Whatever Cook’s intentions, his scientific efforts were the sharp edge of the colonial sword, and the ultimate effects of first contact were catastrophic for Indigenous people around the world. The tensions between Cook’s overt and covert missions came to a head on the shores of Hawaii. His first landing there was harmonious, but when Cook returned after mapping the coast of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, his exploitative treatment of the Hawaiians led to the fatal encounter.

At once a ferociously-paced story of adventure on the high seas and a searching examination of the complexities and consequences of the Age of Exploration, THE WIDE WIDE SEA is a major work from one of our finest narrative nonfiction writers.

©2024 Hampton Sides (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Gripping . . . It isn’t possible in this short space to describe Side’s hair-raising accounts of the journey . . . Sides recreates the newness of the experience, the vast differences in and among Indigenous cultures, and natural phenomena that were as terrifying as they were wondrous."—The Washington Post

"Hampton Sides, an acclaimed master of the nonfiction narrative, has taken on Cook’s story and retells it for the 21st century . . . The result is a work that will enthrall Cook’s admirers, inform his critics and entertain everyone in between."—Los Angeles Times

“The great explorer’s ill-starred last mission and violent death in Hawaii are recreated in swashbuckling detail…an astounding tale and Sides delivers the exciting episodes with a pressing narrative urgency. The cast of characters is a joy."–The Sunday Times (London)

Outstanding story read like a novel

The author would slip back to the past. Or more frequently tell a story from the future to illustrate or explain what happened later. The re are some mysterious events which he tells us about but does not insult us by solving what is still unknown. Bravo

This was a fair portrayal of the life of Captain Cook.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Each chapter was like a movie. It is wonderful to escape into history with a well written story. I highly recommend listening to it.

Amazing

Wow. Historical storytelling at its finest. Excellent narration. I really didn’t want it to end.

Wonderful

Hampton Sides captures this topic and brings it to life. I had no idea that the voyage of Captain Cook would be so interesting What a tragic end to his life on the voyage of discovery. Sides has once again written worthy history into a highly readable story.

Detailed story of third voyage

I have read so many books about Cook and was skeptical that I would find anything new. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was entirely engrossing. There was a lot of detail that was really interesting.

Objective history telling

Enjoyable historiographic story telling offering context and understanding for a historic figure and period that is being put under the microscope by 21st century revisionism and political debate.

Above all, a clinical examination of surviving records woven into a narrative that allows the reader to experience Cook’s 3rd voyage as they did, from all perspectives, native and newcomer.

Promotes the discussion and dialogue necessary to reconcile grievances against Western expansion and exploration with historic empathy for those living in a different time, with different values, and different struggles.


Reader: relaxing voice that transports listener into the story

Writing: Excellent flow and Rhythm

Learn what it was actually like to ride the high seas with one of the most prominent 18th Century European explorers

The common theme we learn about European explorers focuses on the worst outcomes of conquest, imperialism, slavery and colonialism lasting well into the 20th Century. This book allows the reader to understand the precarious nature of early European exploration which was akin to the risks and unknown perils of space exploration but without any charted maps to guide them, I greatly appreciated going beyond the common caricatures and stereotypes of Cook to appreciate the skill of seamanship and sheer bravery required to lead 18th century voyages and put together some of the earliest and most accurate cartographic charts of the oceans and lands his crews explored. It was refreshing to learn of Cook’s more humane, anthropological interest in the peoples he encountered, even while hearing of the derisive and abusive attitudes of other officers and differing academic/historian perspectives on Cook himself. The research, writing and narration of the book gives you an intimate understanding of the everyday challenges and extreme risks faced by the crews, as well as the variety of attitudes - both open and closed minded - towards native peoples, wildlife and resources which were viewed as means for survival on these early voyages before those that followed could make them became the target for exploitation. Very enjoyable, honest and insightful journey for the listener.

An epic adventure that’s a history lesson as well

Excellent book about an extraordinary time in history. Exploration, first contact of different civilizations, daring and adventure… this book has it all.

Excellent writing and narration

Asking this question. Of all the things to ask, this is makes an unnecessary assumption

Respectful recounting, with more detail

I was hesitant to pick up this book. The author was persuasive at the beginning though, about being aware of the many issues around Cook, and making a determined effort to respect those. I think he succeeded at that. It’s still a tragic story of empire-building, racism and misogyny, but that part of history cannot be denied or changed. Knowing more detail about the voyage and Cook’s final days brings better balance to the overall story than I have found elsewhere.