John Ledyard (1751–1789)

This book is composed of the journals and letters of John Ledyard, American explorer, circa 1779-1788. He accompanied Captain Cook on his third and last voyage as a Corporal of Marines, the only man aboard not an officer to keep a journal of the voyage. I think this gave him a unique perspective on happenings although he was not privy to command decisions.

Besides being a very tough man he was singularly unprejudiced for the times. He felt that Captain Cook created the circumstances that led to his killing. He believed that men were of different colors due to natural causes, that all men were of one family and the Russian Tartars and American Indians were related. He saw the native peoples he met as fairly and clearly as anyone could have at the time. He did not denigrate them or consider them inferior. He was remarkably clear-sighted for the time in which he lived.

After his voyage with Cook he attempted to cross Russia with the intention of traveling on to cross North America. If he had not been stopped by Catherine the Great it is possible that he would have made the trip and could have changed the course of history.

John Ledyard was an educated man and for the most part his journals are very readable. He was never able to edit the journals so there are syntax and grammar problems but they are not too serious. The end notes are very useful, however. I can recommend the book as a fascinating look at the explorations of a man now almost completely unknown.… (más)