7–28952.
Mr. Kitson departs from the material from which narratives of Cook are usually produced, and has gone to the Admirality papers for data. This story of the discoverer of the Sandwich islands tells of one who made the best use of every opportunity as fast as it presented itself. “It tells the remarkable experiences of the man who, after rising from cabin-boy in a collier to captain in the royal navy, discovered Australia, sailed three times around the world, and was killed, as we all know, by the natives of the Sandwich islands.” (Outlook.)
“Cook’s latest biographer, while a most faithful and painstaking chronicler is either devoid of the capacity of awe, wonder, and romance which the voyages of Cook excite, or he has put these qualities under severe restraint.”
| + − | Acad. 72: 626. Je. 29, ’07. 1400w. |
“There has been until now no complete or satisfactory biography.”
| + + | Ath. 1907, 2: 229. Ag. 31. 3200w. |
“To say that Mr. Kitson never stumbles would be fulsome; it is enough to say that his errors are few and unimportant and will not prevent his book from being accepted as a standard.”
| + + − | Lond. Times. 6: 187. Je. 14, ’07. 1470w. |
“Mr. Kitson’s work shows great painstaking labor; he corrects several misstatements of previous biographers, and adds some new and interesting facts.”