Sea of Dangers

In 1769 two ships set out independently in search of a missing continent: a French merchant ship the <I>St. Jean-Baptiste</I> commanded by Jean de Surville and a small British naval vessel the <I>Endeavour</I> commanded by Captain James Cook. That Christmas in New Zealand waters the two captains were almost within sight of each other though neither knew of the other's existence. This is the stirring tale of these rival ships and the men who sailed in them. Geoffrey Blainey brings his marvelous storytelling powers to bear on this fascinating and important adventure drawing us brilliantly into the lives of the major figures.