Book description
A uniquely woven story encompassing three separate centuries and
three different lives. Captain Cook, best known for his heroic voyages
through the Pacific Ocean, is brought to life in vivid detail. We
follow his humble beginnings as the son of a farm labourer, through
his convention-shattering treatment of the indigenous groups he met on
his travels, and then onto his final tragic voyage which signalled the
end of his revered reputation.
One hundred years on from the death of Cook, another great man,
George Collingridge begins his own adventure. He, like Cook was
oblivious to the implications his journey would have. Along the way he
unfolds ancient maps, secret tales and unearths hidden lands and
buried treasure. He is also said to have realised that it was not Cook
who discovered Australia - it was the Portugese. This firm belief was
the eventual cause of his self-destruction.
Another hundred years later Vanessa Collingridge, is searching for
books on her lifelong hero Captain Cook in a university library. She
discovers the name of a distant cousin, George Collingridge, in a
dusty card index. And so a new journey of discovery begins - in the
footsteps of her hero and his nemesis.
Vanessa Collingridge is best known as a presenter and reporter on
Tonight with Trevor MacDonald.
A first class Geography graduate of Oxford, Vanessa's presenting career
has spanned many scientific and historical programmes on both TV and
radio. She has also had her own column with the
Daily Telegraph.
