Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse
French explorer and naval officer Jean-François de la Pérouse (1741–88) was, after James Cook, the greatest explorer of the Pacific in the eighteenth century. In 1785, La Pérouse was commissioned by Louis XVI to head an expedition into the uncharted regions of the Pacific Ocean. Setting out from France, the expedition over the next three years was the first to map the coasts of California, Alaska, and Siberia. From there, La Pérouse continued to Easter Island and Hawaii, where La Pérouse Bay bears his name. After a stop in Botany Bay, Australia, La Pérouse's two ships set out for the Solomon Islands. En route, they encountered a storm and were sunk; despite search efforts over the centuries, no trace of the wreckage of La Pérouse's ships has been found.

Where Fate Beckons tells the story of La Pérouse's life and adventures, along the way providing a lively introduction to the world of French colonialism, the end of the Age of Exploration, and French society in the years leading to the French Revolution.
"1114494759"
Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse
French explorer and naval officer Jean-François de la Pérouse (1741–88) was, after James Cook, the greatest explorer of the Pacific in the eighteenth century. In 1785, La Pérouse was commissioned by Louis XVI to head an expedition into the uncharted regions of the Pacific Ocean. Setting out from France, the expedition over the next three years was the first to map the coasts of California, Alaska, and Siberia. From there, La Pérouse continued to Easter Island and Hawaii, where La Pérouse Bay bears his name. After a stop in Botany Bay, Australia, La Pérouse's two ships set out for the Solomon Islands. En route, they encountered a storm and were sunk; despite search efforts over the centuries, no trace of the wreckage of La Pérouse's ships has been found.

Where Fate Beckons tells the story of La Pérouse's life and adventures, along the way providing a lively introduction to the world of French colonialism, the end of the Age of Exploration, and French society in the years leading to the French Revolution.
26.95 In Stock
Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse

Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse

by John Dunmore
Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse

Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de la Pérouse

by John Dunmore

Paperback(New Edition)

$26.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

French explorer and naval officer Jean-François de la Pérouse (1741–88) was, after James Cook, the greatest explorer of the Pacific in the eighteenth century. In 1785, La Pérouse was commissioned by Louis XVI to head an expedition into the uncharted regions of the Pacific Ocean. Setting out from France, the expedition over the next three years was the first to map the coasts of California, Alaska, and Siberia. From there, La Pérouse continued to Easter Island and Hawaii, where La Pérouse Bay bears his name. After a stop in Botany Bay, Australia, La Pérouse's two ships set out for the Solomon Islands. En route, they encountered a storm and were sunk; despite search efforts over the centuries, no trace of the wreckage of La Pérouse's ships has been found.

Where Fate Beckons tells the story of La Pérouse's life and adventures, along the way providing a lively introduction to the world of French colonialism, the end of the Age of Exploration, and French society in the years leading to the French Revolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781602230033
Publisher: University of Alaska Press
Publication date: 02/15/2008
Series: Lives of Great Explorers , #2
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

John Dunmore is professor emeritus of French at Massey University, New Zealand and has written more than twenty books on French navigation in the Pacific.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Part 1:  A Teenager at War
1          Albi
2          Brest
3          A Teenager at War
4          The Slow End of a Disastrous War
 
Part 2:  Interlude
5          Marking Time
 
Part 3:  Down in the Indian Ocean
6          Arguments in the Isle de France
7          Service in Indian Waters
8          Introducing Elénore Broudou

 
Part 4:  The American War
9          Back in France
10        The American Campaign Begins
11        The Struggle Continues
12        Triumphs and Defeats
13        The Hudson Bay Raid
 
Part 5:  Family Business
14        Marriage at Last
 
Part 6:  The Great Voyage
15        An Inquiry in Lorient and Plans in Paris
16        Paris: The Final Plans
17        South and North to Alaska
18        Alaska to California
19        Across the Pacific to China and the Philippines
20        The Philippines to Kamchatka
21        Kamchatka to Australia
22        Forty Years of Oblivion
 
Part 7:  The Unending Search
 
Epilogue
La Pérouse Commemorated
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index
Maps
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews