Tupaia: Captain Cook's Polynesian Navigator

This book offers a biography of the unacknowledged Tahitian navigator who was essential to the success and eventual fame of Captain Cook's historic voyage on the Endeavour.

Tupaia was the brilliant Polynesian navigator and translator who sailed with Captain James Cook from Tahiti, piloted the Endeavour across the South Pacific, and interceded on behalf of the European voyagers with the warrior Maori of New Zealand. As a man of high social ranking, Tupaia was also invaluable as an intermediary, interpreting local rituals and ceremonies. Joseph Banks, the botanist with Cook's expedition, is famous for describing the manners and customs of the Polynesian people in detail. Much of the credit for this information rightfully belongs to Tupaia--indeed, he could aptly be called the Pacific's first anthropologist.

Despite all this, Tupaia's colorful tale has never been part of the popular Captain Cook legend. This unique book tells the first-contact story with Europeans as seen through the eyes of the Polynesians, and documents how Tupaia's contributions changed the history of the Pacific.

Author: Joan Druett
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 11/18/2010
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.26lbs
Size: 9.56h x 6.65w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780313387487

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 12/01/2010 pg. 12
Library Journal 01/01/2011 pg. 108
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2011 pg. 64

About the Author

Joan Druett is a professional writer.