Captain James Cook is probably the most famous explorer of all time: he discovered and charted numerous lands, and his three Pacific voyages of discovery set new standards in navigation, surveying, and shipboard health. While many books have examined Cook’s expeditions and maritime career, this is the first to approach them from the perspective of a curious, rather than scholarly, reader.

This concise and readable guide, in the 101 Questions and Answers format, deals with such diverse yet frequently asked questions as: How many ships took part in the voyages? What were Cook’s secret instructions? Did Cook discover Antarctica? Contemporary paintings, charts, and other images illustrate key points.