The world's subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe below New Zealand, Australia, Africa and South America in the 'Roaring Forties' and 'Furious Fifties' latitudes. They are filled with unique plants and wildlife, constantly buffeted by lashing rain and furious gales, and surrounded by a vast, powerful ocean. New Zealand and Australian subantarctic islands in particular have a rich and fascinating human history, from the early 19-century explorers and sealers through to modern-day conservation and adventure tourism. And yet, the subantarctic islands are often called our 'forgotten islands' because so few people know of their existence, despite their status since 1998 as World Heritage sites. Trial of Strength is a history book filled with compelling photos for a modern audience, and one that, for the first time, includes women's stories as more than just a footnote. Balanced and engaging, it features classic tales of infamous shipwrecks, lesser-known stories of intrepid pioneers, as well as more recent stories of adventure tourism, conservation wins, and dramatic helicopter rescues. Written by the descendant of two 19th-century British colonial settlers who attempted to create a home for their young family in this bleak environment, Trial of Strength will leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.
The world's subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe below New Zealand, Australia, Africa and South America in the 'Roaring Forties' and 'Furious Fifties' latitudes. They are filled with unique plants and wildlife, constantly buffeted by lashing rain and furious gales, and surrounded by a vast, powerful ocean. New Zealand and Australian subantarctic islands in particular have a rich and fascinating human history, from the early 19-century explorers and sealers through to modern-day conservation and adventure tourism. And yet, the subantarctic islands are often called our 'forgotten islands' because so few people know of their existence, despite their status since 1998 as World Heritage sites. Trial of Strength is a history book filled with compelling photos for a modern audience, and one that, for the first time, includes women's stories as more than just a footnote. Balanced and engaging, it features classic tales of infamous shipwrecks, lesser-known stories of intrepid pioneers, as well as more recent stories of adventure tourism, conservation wins, and dramatic helicopter rescues. Written by the descendant of two 19th-century British colonial settlers who attempted to create a home for their young family in this bleak environment, Trial of Strength will leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.
Introduction
1. Discovery: The sealing captain, the ‘ship’s wife’, and the
lonely ghost (1780–1830)
2. Exploration: The polar explorers, the captain’s wife, and the
botanist with a secret (1760–1840)
3. Maungahuka: The warriors and the slaves (1842–56)
4. Hardwicke: The small town at the end of the world (1849–52)
5. Shipwrecks: 'The Grafton', the 'Invercauld' and the 'General
Grant' (1864–67)
6. Transit of Venus: The astronomers, the photographers, and the
epic poem (1874–75)
7.Wreck-watch: Provisions depots and castaway rescue missions
(1865–1927)
8. Pastoral leases: The optimistic farmers and the isolated sheep
(1874–1931)
9. ‘Cape Expedition’: The enemy raiders and the wartime
coastwatchers (1939–45)
10. Macquarie Island: The penguin oilers, the crusading scientist,
and the expeditioners (1890–today)
11. Campbell Island Meteorological Station: The weather-watchers
and the wildlife (1945–95)
12. Conservation: The sheep shooters, the teal tackle, and the
subantarctic rangers (1960s–today)
13. Tourism: The minister, the comic artist, and the descendant
(1968–today)
Acknowledgements
Appendix: Subantarctic island groups outside of the Antarctic
Convergence
Endnotes
Bibliography
Photographic credits
Index
Shona Riddell is the great-great granddaughter of Harriet Cripps, who was born to two British colonists on the remote Auckland Islands in 1851. In 2016, Shona sailed south to experience the wild subantarctic climate for herself. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand.
'The subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe, below
New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and South America, between 47° and
60° latitude south of the Equator. They are filled with unique
plants and wildlife, constantly battered by lashing rain and
furious gales, and have a rich and fascinating human history. Trial
of Strength tells the compelling stories of these islands and will
leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of humanity and the
forbidding forces of nature.'
*Australian Wildlife Magazine*
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
