Melanesia. Travels in Black Oceania
With 28 million people and growing, Melanesia is emerging from its colonial past. The region should be of great strategic interest to Australia. The arc of islands to the north and north-east of Australia takes in Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, Vanuatu, Fiji and some of New Caledonia.
Hamish McDonald, a former foreign correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald, takes us through the region as he travels by ferry, fishing boat, car and truck. McDonald provides a brief history of each nation he visits as he meets with politicians and everyday people alike to sketch a fascinating snapshot of our neighbours.
Melanesia. Travels in Black Oceania is enjoyable, readable and a work of considerable scholarship. Highly recommended.
Brendan Atkins
Author of The Naturalist. The remarkable life of Allan Riverstone McCulloch (NewSouth, 2022).