Long before Magellan entered the Pacific in 1521 Westerners entertained ideas of undiscovered oceans, mighty continents, and paradisal islands at the far ends of the earth-such ideas would have a long life and a deep impact in both the Pacific and the West. With the discovery of Tahiti in 1767 another powerful myth was added to this collection: the noble savage. For the first time Westerners were confronted by a people who seemed happier than themselves. This revolution in the human sciences was accompanied by one in the natural sciences after Darwin's momentous visit to the Galapagos Islands. The Pacific produced other challenges for nineteenth-century researchers on race and culture, and for those intent on exporting their religions to this immense quarter of the globe. As the century wore on, the region presented opportunities and dilemmas for the imperial powers, a process was accelerated by the Pacific War between 1941 and 1945. Strangers in the South Seas recounts and illustrates this story using a wealth of primary texts. It includes generous excerpts from the work of explorers, soldiers, naturalists, anthropologists, artists, and writers--some famous, some obscure. It shows how "the Great South Sea" has been an irreplaceable "distant mirror" of the West and its intellectual obsessions since the Renaissance.

Reproduction of the original.

First published in 2005. In the South Seas is the story of Louis's travels through the Pacificon the Casco and later on the schooner Equator. It is a beautifully observed account of island peoples and their life, but above all it is the story of the beginning of Louis's love affair with the Pacific.

In 'Rain and Other South Sea Stories,' William Somerset Maugham takes readers on a captivating journey through the exotic South Seas, painting a vivid picture of the colonial experience through a series of short stories. Maugham's literary style is marked by a keen eye for detail and a masterful use of irony, bringing to life the complexities of human nature and the impact of cultural clashes. Set against the backdrop of British imperialism, these stories offer a glimpse into the lives of colonizers and colonized, exploring themes of love, desire, and power dynamics in a foreign land. William Somerset Maugham, a prolific writer and renowned playwright, draws inspiration from his own experiences traveling across the South Pacific to craft this collection. His firsthand observations and interactions with the diverse cultures of the region lend authenticity and depth to the narratives, making them both compelling and thought-provoking. I highly recommend 'Rain and Other South Sea Stories' to readers interested in exploring the complexities of colonialism and cultural encounters. Maugham's poignant storytelling and subtle commentary make this collection a timeless masterpiece worth delving into.