Author Janice Weaver wants to rehabilitate Henry Hudson. The man who explored the Hudson Strait, the Hudson River Valley, and Hudson Bay died rather infamously after being set adrift by a mutinous crew in frigid Arctic waters. But Hudson’s life was interesting even before his untimely end, and this book grabs readers from the very beginning. Sailing first for the Muscovy Company, then the Dutch East India Company, and finally the King of England, Hudson went on voyages full of high-seas adventures.

Weaver does a good job of describing the life of a seafarer. Her language is clear and descriptive, and she takes care to define anything that may trip up a reader. Sidebars provide extra information about the Age of Exploration for those who are keen to learn more. And the illustrations by artist David Craig vividly illuminate the story, especially when depicting life on a 17th-century ship.

The decision to give directions in miles, followed by kilometres, is somewhat off-putting given the book’s Canadian audience. Equally odd is the lack of maps providing more detail about Hudson Bay itself, especially since the book is ideal for readers with an interest in geography.

By the end, it’s debatable whether Weaver has succeeded in showing Hudson as “a man of rare courage and vision,” especially given his propensity to spark murderous thoughts in those who served him. Nevertheless, this is a well-told, gripping story of a man whose contributions to North American geography cannot be denied.