Captain Cook Explores the Pacific in World History FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Shalini Murthy
The year was 1539. Nine Spanish ships commanded by Captain Hernando de Soto sailed up to the western coast of Florida. Their mission was to bring Christian religion and European civilization to the Native Americans. The captain and his men also hoped to find the gold that this land was rumored to possess. The story of Hernando de Soto's life, adventures and expedition is a riveting tale told by author Gaines. The book highlights the challenges that de Soto and his men faced as they searched for gold, and the resulting Spanish conquests of other parts of the United States. Maps, photographs, source documents, timelines and chapter notes add interest. A wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
School Library Journal
Gr 7-10-An introduction to the English explorer who, while searching for the Northwest Passage in 1778 "discovered" the Hawaiian Islands. His accomplishments are profiled within their historical context in what is essentially an extended, boring textbook article. Its strongest suit is the explanation of what the area known as the South Pacific was like physically and culturally before the Europeans descended upon it. The bulk of the book focuses on Cook's life and the three major voyages that he made before being murdered in 1779. The last of the eight chapters details Cook's impact on this region, which is judged to be great, and his importance as "the first man to truly understand the geography" of this part of the world. The telling of this story is aided by relevant source documents, a practical time line, and respectable chapter notes. Disappointingly, most of the maps are too small and the occasional black-and-white illustrations are not distinctive.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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