The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush

Name: The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush
Price: 29.41 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (20 reviews)

4.5 of 5 Stars: Australia & Oceania - The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush

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Book Synopsis: The Pacific of the early eighteenth century was not a single ocean but a vast and varied waterscape, a place of baffling complexity, with 25,000 islands and seemingly endless continental shorelines. But with the voyages of Captain James Cook, global attention turned to the Pacific, and European and American dreams of scientific exploration, trade, and empire grew dramatically. By the time of the California gold rush, the Pacific's many shores were fully integrated into world markets-and world consciousness.The Great Ocean draws on hundreds of documented voyages--some painstakingly recorded by participants, some only known by archeological remains or indigenous memory--as a window into the commercial, cultural, and ecological upheavals following Cook's exploits, focusing in particular on the eastern Pacific in the decades between the 1770s and the 1840s. Beginning with the expansion of trade as seen via the travels of William Shaler, captain of the American Brig Lelia Byrd, historian David Igler uncovers a world where voyagers, traders, hunters, and native peoples met one another in episodes often marked by violence and tragedy. Igler describes how indigenous communities struggled against introduced diseases that cut through the heart of their communities; how the ordeal of Russian Timofei Tarakanov typified the common practice of taking hostages and prisoners; how Mary Brewster witnessed first-hand the bloody "great hunt" that decimated otters, seals, and whales; how Adelbert von Chamisso scoured the region, carefully compiling his notes on natural history; and how James Dwight Dana rivaled Charles Darwin in his pursuit of knowledge on a global scale.These stories--and the historical themes that tie them together--offer a fresh perspective on the oceanic worlds of the eastern Pacific. Ambitious and broadly conceived, The Great Ocean is the first book to weave together American, oceanic, and world history in a path-breaking portrait of the Pacific world.

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Experience the captivating tale of the Pacific in The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush. Dive deep into the fascinating waterscape of the early eighteenth century, where 25,000 islands and vast continental shorelines await your exploration. With its rich historical accounts of Captain James Cook's voyages, this book will transport you to a world of scientific discovery, trade opportunities, and dreams of empire. Discover how the Pacific became a hub of global attention and played a pivotal role in the awakening of world consciousness.

Written by acclaimed historian David Igler, The Great Ocean unveils the hidden stories of the eastern Pacific between the 1770s and the 1840s. This meticulously researched work sheds light on the commercial, cultural, and ecological upheavals that occurred in the wake of Cook's exploits. Embark on a journey through the eyes of voyagers, traders, hunters, and native peoples, as they navigated encounters marked by both violence and tragedy.

Uncover the challenges faced by indigenous communities as they fought against devastating diseases that threatened their very existence. Feel the tension rise as you read about Russian Timofei Tarakanov's ordeal, a chilling example of the common practice of taking hostages and prisoners. Witness the bloody "great hunt" that left otters, seals, and whales decimated, through the eyes of Mary Brewster. And join Adelbert von Chamisso and James Dwight Dana as they embark on ambitious quests for knowledge in the realms of natural history.

The Great Ocean seamlessly weaves together American, oceanic, and world history, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the eastern Pacific. This ambitious work will captivate readers with its grand vision, enlightening them about the interconnectedness of different oceanic worlds. Are you ready to embark on this epic journey? Grab your copy of The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush today and discover the untold stories of the Pacific's vast shores.

Get your copy of The Great Ocean: Pacific Worlds from Captain Cook to the Gold Rush and embark on a journey into the depths of history. Uncover the rich tapestry of the Pacific, and gain a fresh perspective on the interplay of American, oceanic, and world history. Don't miss out on this groundbreaking portrait of the Pacific world - order your copy now!

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