Series: Usborne Famous Lives Series.
Subject Areas: History.
Ages: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12.
Type: Biography, Non-fiction Readers

Explorers and sea captains of the 1700's -- do you know much about them? These two titles will give you a good picture of what life was like on the high seas, and how exciting, brutal and dangerous it was to be a sailor. Internet Links are included in both of these titles for those who want to discover more.

Captain Cook opens with the English boy James Cook and his intense longing to live the sailing life. You'll follow him on his first job transporting coal, then volunteering for the Navy when war is looming between France and England. Each voyage he takes presents unique dangers and unique opportunities to learn. He is probably best known for his incredible mapmaking skills, a gift he providentially developed as he sailed to new destinations. His maps were vital to the explorations taking place, from Canada to New Zealand to Hawaii. His maps were used for nearly two hundred years after his death.

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The other book, Nelson, is equally exciting. Horatio Nelson also had the same longing to go to sea, and at age 12 goes to join his uncle's warship. (Let's see, what were my boys doing at age 12?) This book describes what life onboard a sea-going vessel was really like, from climbing the rigging, to the diet they had, to the beatings which took place for those who disobeyed their leaders.

Nelson endured malaria, came face-to-face with a polar bear, and became a captain in the Royal Navy, all before turning 21. He married a widow who had a young child soon after. There's a lot of history shared in the next chapters -- the revolution in France, the threat of Napolean, Britain at war with Spain and France. Nelson loses an arm during this time period, and his hair goes white, his right eye almost blind. His wife, who certainly hasn't seen much of him, nurses him back to health. You should be aware that that he becomes unfaithful to his wife and fathers a child out of wedlock, precipitating a scandal and eventually ending his marriage, so you'll want to decide if this is age-appropriate for your student.

Horatio had several very important victories, each one accompanied by more titles and honor (he is eventually known as Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson!) and loses his life at the end of a brilliant victory. All of Britain mourns the loss of their hero.

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Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers