Islands: Searching for truth on the shoreline

We are all islands, argues BBC Home Editor Mark Easton, and it is on the contradictory shoreline where isolation meets connectedness that we find out who we truly are. He chronicles 250 million years of island history, from Pangaea to exploration, occupation, exploitation, and liberation, and how understanding islands and island syndrome can help humanity get closer to the truth about itself.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2022
Publisher: Biteback Publishing

No man is an island, a profound observation made by the renowned poet John Donne. However, BBC Home Editor Mark Easton presents a contrasting viewpoint, asserting that we are all interconnected islands, bound by the contradictory shoreline where isolation meets connection. It is within this dynamic realm that we discover our true selves, as we engage with both ourselves and others. Easton challenges the notion of a continental bias, tracing a sweeping 250 million-year history of islands, from the birth of Pangaea, the supercontinent that gave rise to all islands, to the pioneering explorers who ventured into the unknown, from the exploration and occupation of these lands to the struggles for liberation and the pursuit of paradise. This captivating book goes beyond mere history, delving into the psychological islands that form the vast archipelago of humankind. Through captivating storytelling, Easton illustrates how understanding islands and island syndrome can provide valuable insights into our collective identity. He takes readers on an enchanting journey, exploring geography, myth, literature, politics, and philosophy, unveiling a profound map of the human heart. Islands is a daring, intelligent, and haunting exploration that transcends disciplines, offering a holistic perspective on our existence.

ISBN-13: 9781785907760