Captain Cook is generally acknowledged as the first great European scientific explorer. Despite his ordinary roots, he had risen through the ranks to become a remarkable officer. Hisexploration of the South Pacific resulted not only in the charting of New Zealand, the east cost of Australia and many Pacific islands, but also in the discovery and description of many plants, societies and animals previously unknown to Europeans. This book, published to accompany theNational Maritime Museum's groundbreaking new exhibition on ocean exploration Oceans of Discovery, provides and overview of Cook's achievements. With chapters on Cook's great voyages, scientific exploration, ship construction, cannibalism and art, this book is a fascinating and accessible account, featuring many beautiful images from the Museum's own collection.