A marvelously well researched, absorbing biography of the 17th century English explorer, sea captain naturalist and buccaneer. Long our favorite pirate, it's a pleasure to see the accomplishments of the swashbuckler laid out so effectively. A master navigator and map-maker, Dampier circumnavigated the globe three times, wrote a series of best-selling books, and reached Australia 80 years before Captain Cook.  (GBR436, $27.00)

Best of 2004