The Wide Wide Sea: Book Review

Today, we will be reviewing The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides, a nonfiction account of James Cook’s third and final expedition. Keep reading to find out what we thought of this book and if you should read it too!

I have been reading more nonfiction books and I have found out that I do enjoy reading them when it is about topics that pique my curiosity. And a book about sailing around the world and having first contact with natives is impossible to ignore!

The Wide Wide Sea Summary

Captain James Cook has already completed two voyages that have made him one of the greatest explorer in British history. He can happily retire and live a comfortable life but when talks of an expedition to new lands takes place, Cook can’t help himself and decides to set off for his third voyage, and unfortunately for him, one he will not come back from.

Author Hampton Sides uses accounts based on journal entries of the crew as well as any source that is related to Cook’s third voyage. That lets us sail with Cook and experience what he did alongside his crew in uncharted waters and first contact. 

Cook third voyage has a secret goal of discovering the fabled Northwest Passage. But unlike his previous two voyages, this one brings out a different side of Cook that his crew and historians haven’t seen before. And it may give us some clues as to why Cook did why he did and why this voyage ended in chaos and death. 

Commentary

The Wide Wide Sea was released in 2024 and details James Cook’s final expedition and what life was like around that time. The book was written based on journal entries from the various members of the crew as well any other sources that were relevant and verified the accounts of Cook’s journey.

I really enjoyed reading about James Cook’s adventures and learned a lot about him and about history around the late 1700’s. It was fascinating to see James Cook’s journey and all the people he met and how he conducted himself. It is evident from this book why Cook is considered one of the greatest explorers of all time.

Cook ran a tight ship and helped accurately chart maps that helped many new places be mapped. It also meant that these places were hidden no more from the rest of the world. However you feel about Cook and what his legacy is, his impact is still felt centuries later as we still try to understand his final moments.

Conclusion

If every nonfiction book was as good as this, then I wouldn’t read any other genre. This book does a wonderful job of capturing Cook’s third voyage and provides us with a good idea of what happened. Considering that this is over two centuries ago, it is an impressive feat.

I learned a lot from this book and enjoyed every second of it. Books like these are why I loved history growing up and it definitely reinvigorated my love for it. If you were to read only one nonfiction book, then you have to make it this one. Happy reading!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook