The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook round the World 7 Volume Set

This seven-volume illustrated collection, published in 1821, contains the journals of Captain James Cook (1728–79) from his three voyages to the Pacific, supplemented by material from other members of his expeditions, including the influential botanist Sir Joseph Banks. 'Cook's voyages' were essential reading for later explorers, including Charles Darwin.

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During Charles Darwin's 1831–6 voyage on the Beagle, his on-board library included 'Cook's voyages'. This illustrated 1821 edition, in seven volumes, is representative of the versions available in the early nineteenth century. Volumes 1-2 cover the first Pacific voyage of James Cook (1728–79), to observe the 1769 transit of Venus from Tahiti. The text follows Hawkesworth's 1773 edition, which combined Cook's journal with ethnographical notes by the ship's scientist, Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820). Volumes 3-4 describe Cook's second voyage, and focus on New Zealand, the Pacific islands, and the Southern Ocean. On this voyage, the ship's naturalists were John Reinhold Forster and his son George (1754–94), who is credited as co-author. Volumes 5-6 are Cook's account of his third and final voyage, while Volume 7, by James King (1750–84), describes the death of Cook, the explorers' stay in Hawaii, and their return.