The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses colonial violence and imperialist attitudes. In addition, the source text uses racist language to refer to Indigenous people, which is replicated in direct quotes only.

Sides portrays the profound and often violent clash between European explorers and Indigenous cultures. This theme underscores the myriad misunderstandings, conflicts, and transformations that occurred during Captain James Cook’s voyages. The book documents the interactions between Cook’s crew and the various Indigenous people they encountered, highlighting the complexities and consequences of these cultural exchanges.

One of the most striking examples of this clash is the encounter between Cook and the Hawaiian Islanders. The Hawaiians initially perceived Cook as the god Lono, a misunderstanding that arose from the timing of his arrival during the Makahiki festival, which celebrated Lono. This perception led to an extraordinary reception for Cook and his crew, filled with reverence and hospitality. However, as the Hawaiians began to realize that Cook and his men were mortal and not divine, the relationship deteriorated, culminating in violent conflict and Cook’s death. This sequence of events suggests that European imperialist activities create problems for both European and Indigenous people.

The clash is further exemplified by the experiences of Mai, the Polynesian who traveled to England and back with Cook.