The voyages of Captain Cook are endlessly fascinating to a wide audience, and no aspect of them has been more controversial than Cook's death. This book contains introductory essays that discuss Samwell's contribution to our understanding of the dramatic period in Pacific and maritime history, and examines the personality and career of Samwell.

No aspect of the voyages of Captain Cook have been more controversial than Cook's death. This book reprints one of the classic accounts of this episode, the vivid and lively narrative by one of the voyage surgeons, David Samwell. Introductory essays contextualize Samwell's contribution within this period of Pacific maritime history.