- Date Published:
2024 - Length:
432 pages—Listening Time: 15 hrs, 41 minutes - Genre:
Biography, Travel, History, NonFiction - Setting:
1776 to 1779, The Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Alaska - Awards:
Audie Award Finalist Non-Fiction Narrator 2025; NPR: Books We Love 2024; The New York Times Notable Books of the Year Nonfiction 2024; Globe and Mail Top 100 Book International Nonfiction 2024; The Economist Best Books 2024; Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year Nonfiction 2024 - Language:
English, French - Sensitive Aspects:
Graphic depictions of violence, Sexual exploration, ethnic bias - Movie:
There are no publicly announced movie deals as of April 2025. - Recommend for Book Club:
Yes, for groups that enjoy historical reads
Forget the boring history books of your school days. Hampton Sides' The Wide, Wide Sea; Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook makes the final expedition of Captain James Cook come alive with swashbuckling action and romantic adventure. This book got my attention when it was listed as one of the New York Times' Top Ten Books of 2024.
I get a little seasick if I stand too long on a pier, so maritime history has never been on my radar. In fact, I don't read much historical nonfiction unless it's about US presidents. But I'm a New York Times list junkie, so I put this book on my TBR list, and just to keep my reading "land legs" dry, I asked my husband to read it before I did. He has studied almost every historical narrative of piracy on the high seas and is familiar with the color of each pirate captain's beard, as well as where they traveled and how much treasure they acquired. I figured that this book would be perfect for him. I was correct. He thoroughly enjoyed it.
When it was my turn to read the book, he had already shared fragments of the story, which piqued my curiosity. I dove in and set sail with Captains Cook and Clark with The Wide, Wide Sea. OMG! I couldn't put the book down. Every day I excitedly announced to my husband where I was on my voyage through the book.
The Wide, Wide Sea is a wonderful read. I learned so much, but, frankly, my view of Hawaii will never be the same.
The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides is a richly detailed historical account of Captain James Cook's third and final voyage, which fatally came to an end in Hawaii in 1779. The book explores the multifaceted nature of Cook's character, his ambitions, and the broader ramifications of his expeditions.
The story focuses on Cook's last and most ambitious journey (1776-1779) aboard two ships, Resolution and Discovery, with a mission to explore the Pacific, search for the Northwest Passage, and claim new territories. The voyage was marked by Cook's deteriorating mental and physical health, which influenced his increasingly erratic behavior.
Sides examines Cook as a "morally complicated" man. Cook returned from his first two voyages as a celebrated heroic explorer, but in this book, for his final voyage, Cook is depicted as a divisive symbol of imperialism because of his exploitation of Indigenous lands and peoples. The book delves into these dual perspectives without bias. Cook does not receive a heroic portrayal. He just wasn't a very nice man.
The genius of this book is that it draws details not only from Cook's ship logs and personal writings but also from the oral histories of the Indigenous peoples that came in contact with Cook. For example, the detailed description of Mai, a Tahitian who traveled to England with Cook and later returned to the Pacific, was a fascinating addition to the story. Mai's experiences are an illustration of the cultural clashes throughout the Age of Exploration. As a reader, I found myself cheering for Mai rather than Cook.
The book culminates in Cook’s death in Hawaii during a violent confrontation with Native Hawaiians. Sides explores how Cook’s actions—such as punishing entire communities for individual transgressions—contributed to the ill will that was mounting among Hawaiians. This eventually led to Cook's downfall.
Despite Sides' exceptional research for this book, I particularly valued his commitment to presenting both perspectives. I knew that during the Age of Discovery, European explorers greedily plowed through new territories to claim the land and take whatever commodities were there. But it was sobering to read about how the people of the new territories were exploited. And with the way Sides retold the story, it became clear that, had the Indigenous peoples possessed metals, the whole Exploration Era may have turned out very differently.
Here are key reasons you should consider reading this book:
- Cook's Story is Fascinating
The book focuses not just on Cook's final voyage but also on the man's personality. I loved it that when Cook was faced with crucial decisions, the reader is provided a glimpse into what he was thinking. Actually, Cook had to make many snap decisions. His job was not easy, and he blew it with many of the actions he chose. - The Book is Well-Researched
Sides reconstructs Cook's journey with vivid detail, drawing from personal writings, Indigenous oral histories, and forensic medical research. - It is an Action-Packed Read
As I immersed myself in this book, I often forgot that it was a historical recounting. Because of Sides' masterful storytelling ability, it felt like I was reading a thriller. History buffs as well as casual readers will enjoy this read. Critics have praised the book for its "swashbuckling detail" and "visceral drama," likening it to maritime classics by Patrick O’Brian and C.S. Forester. - It Provides a Broad Social Critique of Imperialism
Cook's death exemplified the horrors done to Indigenous people in the name of exploration. Cook was killed on February 14, 1779, and the date, known as "Hauʻoli La Hoʻomake ia Kapena Kuke," which translates to "Happy Death of Captain Cook Day," is still celebrated by Hawaiians. - The Book was Highly Recognized and Acclaimed
The Wide Wide Sea has been featured on Barack Obama's Summer Reading List 2024 and named one of The New York Times Top Ten Books of 2024. Esteemed figures like Stephen Fry have hailed it as one of the best books they've read in years, emphasizing its relevance to understanding the modern world.
Whether you're interested in maritime history, exploration, or the complexities of historical figures, The Wide, Wide Sea offers a riveting and thought-provoking journey through one of history's most dramatic voyages. It's a great read.
Get Hampton Sides' Books
Best-known for his gripping non-fiction adventure stories set in war or depicting epic expeditions of discovery and exploration.
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If you enjoyed The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides, please consider reading one of his other historical books. I've listed a few of them below. He is a wonderful writer.
Likewise, here are several books with similar themes of exploration, maritime adventure, and historical storytelling:
Books About Maritime Exploration
- River of the Gods by Candice Millard: This book recounts the quest to discover the source of the White Nile, focusing on explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke. It blends adventure with vivid historical detail.
- The Kon-Tiki Expedition by Thor Heyerdahl: A gripping account of Heyerdahl's 1947 journey across the Pacific on a handcrafted raft to prove ancient South Americans could have reached Polynesia.
- In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides: Another work by Sides, this narrative explores the ill-fated Arctic expedition of the USS Jeannette in the late 19th century.
Historical Adventure and Survival
- The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann: A thrilling story of survival, mutiny, and courtroom drama following a shipwreck during an imperial voyage.
- Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World by Eric Jay Dolin: A true tale of shipwreck and survival during the War of 1812.
Classic Maritime Literature
- Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana Jr.: A firsthand account of life aboard a 19th-century sailing vessel, offering insights into maritime culture and early Californian history.
Other Recommendations
- Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides: While not maritime-focused, this book recounts a daring World War II rescue mission with vivid storytelling similar to The Wide Wide Sea.
- Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides: An epic tale of Kit Carson and the conquest of the American West, blending exploration with cultural history.
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