Publisher Description

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 19th-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.

Back Cover

Discover the gripping stories of the men and women who have faced the challenge of the fragile yet fearsome subantarctic islands.

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'They're not covered in ice, but they can be brutally cold. Despite our globalized, 21st-century world of frequent flying, they are rarely visited. Most of them are uninhabited by humans, yet they are teeming with wildlife.'The subantarctic islands in the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties latitudes circle the globe above Antarctica. They are buffeted by wind and rain all year round, and are full of exotic plants and animals.Sometimes known as the 'forgotten islands' due to their remoteness, New Zealand's and Australia's subantarctic islands are protected World Heritage sites, recognized globally for their unique environments. The islands have also had their share of human visitors over the centuries, including intrepid explorers, plundering sealers, optimistic farmers, isolated astronomers, desperate castaways, wartime coastwatchers, pioneering scientists, and adventure tourists. Written by a descendant of two subantarctic settlers from Britain, and featuring stunning photographs, 'Trial of Strength' brings these historical tales to life for a 21st-century audience, while inspiring a lasting appreciation for some of the most remote parts of our planet.

Table of Contents

Introduction1. 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)AcknowledgementsAppendix: Subantarctic island groups outside of the Antarctic ConvergenceEndnotesBibliographyPhotographic creditsIndex

Review

'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

Long Description

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.

Review Quote

The subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe, below New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and South America, between 47

Feature

Discover the compelling stories of the men and women who have braved the wild, untamed subantarctic islands.

Description for Sales People

While there are many books on Antarctica, few have explored the equally fascinating subantarctic islands. This is an engaging and accessible account of the islands' rare and often dramatic human history.Written by a descendant of two of the 19-century settlers, and one of very few people to have visited the subantarctic islands.The subantarctic islands are of global significance, home to lots of endemic plants and wildlife, and UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1998.Includes stunning photographs of the islands' nature and wildlife, as well as numerous previously unpublished historical photos.The islands are of historical significance to the British, Europeans and Americans, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Description for Press or Other Media

The 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 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 the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.

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