Sea of Dangers

The narrative centers on the simultaneous voyages of two ships in 1769, the French St. Jean-Baptiste and the British Endeavour, both in search of a missing continent. Captains Jean de Surville and James Cook, unaware of each other's presence, nearly cross paths in New Zealand waters on Christmas. Geoffrey Blainey masterfully recounts this gripping tale, exploring the lives and rivalries of the men aboard these vessels, highlighting their adventures and the significance of their journeys in the context of exploration history.