South Sea Islands


Book Description

The history and ecosystems of 14 South Sea Islands: Easter Island, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Madagascar, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Komodo, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Tasmania, Lord Howe, Phillip, and New Caledonia.




England's Islands in a Sea of Troubles


Book Description

England's Islands in a Sea of Troubles examines the jurisdictional disputes and cultural complexities in England's relationship with its island fringe from Tudor times to the eighteenth century, and traces island privileges and anomalies to the present. It tells a dramatic story of sieges and battles, pirates and shipwrecks, prisoners and prophets, as kings and commoners negotiated the political, military, religious, and administrative demands of the early modern state. The Channel Islands, the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly, the Isle of Man, Lundy, Holy Island and others emerge as important offshore outposts that long remained strange, separate, and perversely independent. England's islands were difficult to govern, and were prone to neglect, yet their strategic value far outweighed their size. Though vulnerable to foreign threats, their harbours and castles served as forward bases of English power. In civil war they were divided and contested, fought over and occupied. Jersey and the Isles of Scilly served as refuges for royalists on the run. Charles I was held on the Isle of Wight. External authority was sometimes light of touch, as English governments used the islands as fortresses, commercial assets, and political prisons. London was often puzzled by the linguistic differences, tangled histories, and special claims of island communities. Though increasingly integrated within the realm, the islands maintained challenging peculiarities and distinctive characteristics. Drawing on a wide range of sources, and the insights of maritime, military, and legal scholarship, this is an original contribution to social, cultural, and constitutional history.




Into the Sea


Book Description

Vividly and simply told, Into the Sea is about growing up behind the dunes, travelling into the unknown and living in rhythm with the sea. Billie (Will) is a small kid bleached by the ocean. He surfs. Riley’s bigger, bites his nails and pretends he does too. They roam their beachside suburb, nose drip over their first surf magazine and start to dream of far off places. Suddenly out of a heatwave, a fire erupts to take more than their bushland. Later, in their mid twenties, the friends reconnect driving across the desert. There they live in the heat, dust and cold salt water, amongst a melting pot of passing travellers and violent incensed locals. Riley forgets a girl he thought he knew and Will’s drug addiction gives way to blindness to life beyond the sea which may prove to be even more destructive. Musings around the campfire become real as Will leaves everything and heads for the tropical islands of Indonesia. At first a phone call, then a postcard, then nothing. Eventually Riley, in a strong relationship with stable work, sets out to try to track him down and, heading deep into the islands, starts to learn things he never knew he should. Through the early years of their friendship, Into the Sea touches on first freedoms, the seesawing transition from innocence to adolescence and the impact of sudden loss. In later parts, the novel richly evokes life on the road and the unpredictability of trusting to chance travelling in remote places. Along the way, it powerfully describes the landscapes of Australia and Indonesia and their people and captures what it is to ride waves, to be a surfer and, in a more subtle way, the trials, if not impossibilities, of loving one.




The Essential LDS Collection


Book Description

The Essential LDS Collection embodies a profound exploration of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) faith, bringing together a remarkable range of narratives, doctrinal discussions, and historical analyses. This anthology stands out for its diversity in literary styles, from poetic expressions of faith by Eliza R. Snow to the doctrinal expositions of Joseph Smith Jr. and the historical recountings by B. H. Roberts. The significance of each work within the collection highlights various facets of LDS belief and practice, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the church's theological foundation and evolution. The inclusion of seminal texts such as Joseph Smith's revelations offers not just insight but a connection to pivotal moments in LDS history. The backgrounds of the authors and editors in this collection paint a rich tapestry of the LDS churchs development and the varying individual contributions to its doctrine and community. Figures like Brigham Young and Joseph F. Smith represent pivotal leadership roles that shaped the direction and identity of the LDS church, while scholars and historians like John A. Widtsoe and William Alexander Linn provide depth through critical analysis and reflection. This anthology aligns with key historical and cultural movements within the LDS church, offering a nuanced understanding of its complexities and the diverse voices that have shaped its narrative. The Essential LDS Collection is recommended for anyone interested in understanding the breadth and depth of the LDS faith through its literature. This anthology presents a unique opportunity to explore the converging and diverging paths of thought and belief within the church, facilitated by the works of its most influential figures. For scholars, members of the LDS church, and those fascinated by religious studies, this collection provides an unparalleled insight into the LDS faith, inviting readers to engage with the profound discussions and reflections that have defined this community.







The Seer


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Book of Mormon Student Manual


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In the South Seas


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