Chronicler Of Pacific Exploration

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31327, 25 March 1967, Page 4

Chronicler Of Pacific Exploration

[Reviewed bv A.R-1 The Exploration of the Pacific. By J. C. Beaglehole. A. and C. Black. 356 pp. The first edition of this book was published in 1934. The second edition, which appeared in 1947, incorporated a few minor corrections and a revision of the bibliography. Otherwise, the second edition followed the first very closely. Late last year, a third and more radically revised edition of this outstanding volume in the series “The Pioneer Histories” appeared. In the 33 years since its first publication, its distinguished author has gone from strength to strength. In particular, his reputation as a scholar has been markedly enhanced by his brilliant editing of the journals of Captain James Cook to whose voyages three chapters have always been devoted in “The Exploration of the Pacific.” A book as well known, indeed, as famous as this needs no fresh review. It gives an account of European exploration of the Pacific Ocean from Magellan to Cook which can only be described as splendid, irrespective of the angle from which it is viewed. For scholarly information, attractively presented, for soundly based conclusions

and opinions, lucidly set down, this work is unlikely to be excelled in the annals of exploration. The author claims that few pages "have survived without alteration” in this third edition which contains some modifications of opinion, more and better identification of islands, and a more up to date bibliography. In other words—and a careful comparison of editions bears out the claim—the latest edition is substantially the same as the earlier two; but much has been rewritten and revised. Sentences have been altered in the light of new monographs, new shades of meaning or of emphasis have been introduced where required, and several fresh items of information have been added either in the text or in footnotes. The third edition, then, is an improvement on its predecessors, although Professor Beaglehole’s wannest admirers may find it difficult to concede that improvement was possible. Like its forerunners, this new edition will no doubt soon pass out of print. May its author, recently retired from the office he has held for many years at Victoria University of Wellington, still be available if further revision should ever be considered necessary.