Captain Cook's Apprentice by Anthony Hill

A fictional recreation of one of the greatest voyages of discovery ever made, by award-winning author Anthony Hill.

The enthralling story of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia, as seen through the eager eyes of a cabin boy.

When young Isaac Manley sailed on the Endeavour from England in 1768, no one on board knew if a mysterious southern continent existed in the vast Pacific Ocean. It would be a voyage full of uncertainties and terrors.

During the course of the three-year journey, Isaac’s eyes are opened to all the brutal realities of life at sea – floggings, storms, press-gangs, the deaths of fellow crewmen, and violent clashes on distant shores.

Yet Isaac also experiences the tropical beauty of Tahiti, where he becomes enchanted with a beautiful Tahitian girl. He sees the wonders of New Zealand, and he is there when the men of Endeavour first glimpse the east coast of Australia, anchor in Botany Bay, and run aground on the Great Barrier Reef.

Acclaimed and award-winning historical novelist Anthony Hill brings to life this landmark voyage with warmth, insight and vivid detail in this exciting and enlightening tale of adventure and discovery.

Anthony Hill

Reviews

“ Anthony Hill has done it again with Captain Cook’s Apprentice. It is a cracking good read…an adventure story of detail and nuance. ”

The Weekly Times

Formats & editions

Trade Paperback

9780143789505

July 2, 2018

Viking

RRP $32.99
Online retailers
Or

Find your local bookstore at booksellers.org.au
EBook

9780143789512

July 2, 2018

Penguin eBooks
Online retailers
EBook

9781742283807

September 1, 2008

Penguin eBooks

276 pages
Online retailers

Extract

BEGINNINGS

England, June to August 1768

The boy knew danger was coming.

He could hear it, sitting at the prow of his ferryboat on the broad River Thames . . . a deep growl of angry water that grew louder as they neared London Bridge.

He could feel it, for the boat began to kick and strain as it caught the edges of the rip, where the pent-up river gushed into narrow channels between the piers.

And then he could see it. A white, foaming cascade as the water swirled through the arches, like a rapids.

Danger. And the boy Isaac knew what he would do.

Article

New Words from Endeavour

The author of Captain Cook's Apprentice reveals some of the new words and ideas collected by the voyagers on HM Bark Endeavour almost 250 years ago.