Ed Wright - Ghost Colonies. Failed Utopias, Forgotten ..., Tauranga in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty for sale
The urge to settle new lands was evident long before the great surge of European colonisation was initiated about the 15th Century by the Spainish and Portugese. There are 25 example of failed settlements included in''Ghost Colonies"but the earliest under study were those of the Vikings in Greenland in the period 985 to c1500 and in eastern North America. Spanish colonisation of the Americas followed a short time later. The English joined in the early 1600s and from that point the pace and extent of colonisation world-wide increased rapidly. The Dutch became established in South Africa, Central America and the Indian Ocean, in what is now Indodesia. Much of the content relates to failure of colonies established by major empires, for reasons of power, wealth, influence and territory. However, some of most enlightening chapters cover smaller colony projects, organised by independent groups seeking escape, isolation or some form of Utopia for religious, political, moral or philosophical grounds. Some of these were formed from 1800 to the early 1900s. French, English, Dutch and Scottish settlers headed for destinations in Madagascar, Panama, Texas and Mauritius. The 1838 Port Essington settlement in Northern Australia foundered on the parsimony and inaction of bureaucrats in London while others were created following the American Civil War by disillusioned Confederates in Mexico in 1865, in 1886 a"racially pure"German group set up its Utopia in Paraguay and about that time Cossacks tried and failed at a Red Sea location, while 1901 saw a collective of Finnish Socialists select British Columbia for their new home. All these, and others, failed for a variety of reasons --- lack of material and capital support, unfriendly natives, privation, disease, even starvation and through internal conflicts. The final chapter centres on the Jonestown Peoples'Temple in Guyana where almost 1000 residents died in a mass suicide in 1978. A note on the back cover states:that the"Ghost Colonies"stories are a".compelling. eye-opening mix of adventure, mystery, tragedy, exploration and discovery that reveals a fascinating and largely forgotten area of history."First editiion from Pier 9, NSW, of 2009, 220 pages including bibliography and index, illustrated throughout with art (much in colour), b/w art, photos, mainly b/w ,numerous maps, some in colour. Colour art card covers with flaps to both covers are VG+, internally excellent, no inscriptions. Unpacked weight close to 800grams. 22.5cm By 18.5cm
Ed Wright - Ghost Colonies. Failed Utopias, Forgotten Exiles and Abandoned Outposts of Empire
Author
Ed Wright
Title
Ghost Colonies. Failed Utopias, Forgotten Exiles and Abandoned Outposts of Empire
Publisher name
Pier 9, Millers Point, NSW
Shipping time
2 - 4 days
Publication year
2009
Edition
First edition
Binding type
Hard cover
Listing condition
Used
Item condition
Very good
Vendor name
BOPBooks
Vendor rating
Key words
Colonisation, International, Failed Settlements, Imperialism, History
Abebof326d