Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before

Horwitz starts his journey by sailing on a replica of Cook's first ship Endurance to get a feel for 18th Century shipboard life. He then spends most of the remaining time traipsing around the Pacific with his Australian friend Roger, who provides the same kind of narrative counterpoint as Robert Lee Hodge did in "Attic." Horwitz documents the changes that have occurred in Oceania because of Cook's "discoveries" and interviews numerous islanders to find out how they feel about Cook's legacy. The results are often surprising and enlighteneing.

Having said all of that, "Blue Latitudes" is not a classic on the order of "Attic." The narrative is a lengthy at nearly 450 pages and is sluggish at times. Companion Roger is not nearly as interesting a character as was Hodge and the moments of uproarious humor that made "Attic" so entertaining are mostly missing this time out. Nevertheless, "Blue Latitudes" is still a well-written and worthwhile read for those with an interest in the subject matter.


Outstanding history and travelogue   October 1, 2002
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I loved this book. It grabbed me from the moment I started it through the end. Horwitz gives you history of the European discovery of the Pacific, what it was like to be on a ship for months at a time in the 18th century, as well as a feel for the islands and indigenous history of the region. He mixes Cook's journal and experiences with what he finds today, and the local population's perception of the events of the time, and the lasting impact of the meeting.

In addition, it's a fun travelogue. Horwitz and his sometime traveling partner from Australia, Roger, romp around the Pacific taking in and enjoying the people and cultures -- and the alcohol. His insignts in to the cultures are perceptive and witty.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. If you ever dreamed of taking off for Tahiti, after reading this book the urge will be irresistible.


A sympathetic, multicultural, Capt. Cook.   September 23, 2002
 68 out of 70 found this review helpful

Horwitz, who is a veteran in the travelogue/history genre, sets about to rescue Cook's threatened reputation from those who view him as the first "conquistordor" of the Pacific isles he alledgedly "discovered" in his three epic 18th century voyages. Horwitz, while giving ample voice to those inhabitants of these lands who look upon Cook as an unmitigated disaster for their peoples and cultures, and admitting the toxic influence of those Westerners who descended upon the Pacific in Cook's wake, potrays a much more liberal-minded explorer who appreciated the peoples and cultures he met and mingled with, more of an enlightenment figure than we have previously supposed. Indeed, Horwitz argues that one of the reasons that Cook is not celebrated or memorialized in Britain as lavishly as Nelson and Wellington, is that he was not a military hero, was more explorer than conqueror.
Horwitz pays Cook his due, pointing out the sheer difficulty and hardship of his navigations, and meanders around the Pacific in his steps, talking to all sorts of characters that he meets along the way, both about Cook, the past, and the present state of Pacific affairs. And for comic relief he brings along, quite by accident he tells us but one can't imagine making the trip without him, his Falstaffian pal Roger, with a bottle in both hands,and a jaundiced eye and bawdy quip when things threaten to get too serious. Fans of Horwitz, Cook, travel writing, or a yen for the Pacific isles will not be disappointed.