The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook (2024) by Hampton Sides provides an account of the final voyage of Captain James Cook, emphasizing the dramatic encounters and tragic events that defined this historical journey. Sides, a historian and journalist who writes narrative nonfiction, discusses the complexities and significance of Cook’s expeditions and the 18th-century maritime world. This historical nonfiction work explores themes such as The Clash Between European and Indigenous Cultures, The Motivations for Exploration, and The Transformation of Geographic Knowledge. The text not only provides a chronological account of Cook’s journey but also explores the impact of European exploration on Indigenous populations.

This guide references the 2024 Doubleday e-book edition which includes maps, illustrations, and a bibliography.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide contain descriptions of colonial violence and imperialist attitudes. In addition, the source text uses racist language to refer to Indigenous people, which is replicated in direct quotes only.

Summary

The prologue introduces the awe and fear experienced by Hawaiian villagers as they witness the arrival of Captain Cook’s ships in January 1778. The chapter sets the stage for the encounters between Cook and the Indigenous people of the Pacific. Book 1 chronicles Cook’s rise to prominence as a navigator and explorer. Despite his failure to find the mythical Terra Australis Incognita, Cook’s voyages provided maps and insights, debunking myths and advancing geographic knowledge. His empathetic approach to Indigenous cultures and innovative measures for his crew’s well-being are highlighted, portraying him as both a proto-anthropologist and a humane leader.

Book 2, details the challenges Cook and his crew faced as they navigated the southern seas. They encountered harsh weather and deteriorating conditions, testing Cook’s leadership and the crew’s endurance. The chapter explores the massacre of navigator Tobias Furneaux’s men by the Māori, emphasizing Cook’s efforts to understand the incident and prevent further violence. Cook’s interactions with the Māori, characterized by cultural sensitivity and restraint, reveal his evolving perspective on cross-cultural relations. The chapter also highlights the growing strain on Cook, reflected in his increasingly erratic behavior and harsh reprisals against thefts by islanders.

In Book 3, Sies recounts when Cook’s ships arrived in Tahiti, where Mai, the Polynesian traveler, experienced an emotional reunion with his people. The chapter examines the complex dynamics of Mai’s return, marred by his desire for revenge and his struggle for acceptance. Cook’s attempts to integrate Mai into Tahitian society ultimately failed. The chapter also details the expedition’s journey through the Hawaiian Islands, highlighting Cook’s diplomatic efforts and the crew’s fascination with the local culture. Despite tensions and misunderstandings, the interactions remained largely peaceful.

Book 4 follows Cook’s expedition as they explored the North American coast and searched for the Northwest Passage. The crew faced severe weather and navigational challenges, ultimately failing to find a navigable route. Their interactions with Indigenous people, such as the Mowachaht and the Chugach, reveal the complexities of cross-cultural encounters. The chapter highlights Cook’s meticulous charting of the Alaskan coast and his homage to explorer Vitus Bering’s legacy. Despite the expedition’s hardships, Cook’s leadership and determination result in significant geographic discoveries, enhancing the understanding of the region’s vast subcontinent.

In Book 4, Sides narrates Cook’s ships’ arrival at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawai’i. The Hawaiians’ reverence for Cook, whom they regarded as the god Lono, set the stage for a period of tranquility and cultural exchange. However, the prolonged stay strained local resources and led to escalating tensions. The theft of a cutter and Cook’s attempt to kidnap King Kalaniʻōpuʻu resulted in a violent confrontation, culminating in Cook’s death. The chapter discusses the crew’s grief and the chaotic aftermath as they negotiate to recover Cook’s remains and hold a solemn funeral at sea.

The Epilogue recounts the myth of Lono and the enduring cultural practice of the Makahiki festival. It explores the Hawaiians’ belief in Lono’s eventual return and the symbolic significance of the seasonal rains as his tears. Sides reflects on the impact of Cook’s voyages on the Indigenous people of the Pacific and the complex legacy of exploration and cultural exchange.