A biography of William Bligh (1754-1817). The author, an anthropologist, focuses on Bligh's three voyages in the South Seas and the impact of his encounters with the Pacific Islanders. Beginning with Bligh's voyage on the Resolution with Captain Cook (1776-80) during which Cook met his death, the author also examines Bligh's first breadfruit voyage on the Bounty (1787-89) during which the famous mutiny occured and resulted in Bligh's 3,618-mile voyage in an open boat to Timor, and then, finally, his second breadfruit voyage on HMS Providence (1791-93). Detailed notes and a bibliography are provided.