Where the Waves Fall: A New South Sea Islands History from First Settlement to Colonial Rule

Where the Waves Fall (1984) explores the impact of European explorers and colonizers on Pacific Islanders, tracing the development of their civilizations and the interactions between them. It suggests novel ideas about why some islands became "kingdoms" and why missionaries were accepted on some but not others, and challenges traditional narratives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 422 pages
Publication date: 03 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Where the Waves Fall (1984) is a captivating account of human settlement and cultural interchange in the Pacific islands. It delves into the stories of the Pacific Islanders and their experiences under the influence of European explorers and colonizers. The book follows the adventures of seafarers who discovered numerous islands in the vast ocean, tracing the evolution of their civilizations and exploring the intricate interactions between them and the newcomers—European explorers, traders, beachcombers, missionaries, merchants—who arrived in waves from the sixteenth century onwards. Through its innovative framework, the author sheds new light on previously isolated events and offers novel insights into why some islands became "kingdoms" during early European contact, while others did not. The book also examines the factors that influenced the acceptance of missionaries on certain islands and the strategies employed by island leaders. Professor Howe does not shy away from provocative and sometimes controversial arguments regarding the ambitions and strategies of island leaders and the overall nature and extent of the initiatives taken by the islanders.

Weight: 906g
Dimension: 179 x 253 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032438771