Islands
Nature and Culture
Stephen A. RoyleA comprehensive exploration of the geographical and cultural aspects of islands.
In this cultural and scientific history of these alluring, often isolated, territories, Stephen A. Royle describes the great variety of islands scattered around the world, their economies, and the animals, plants and people living on them. He shows that despite the view of some islands as earthly paradises, they are often beset by severe limitations in both resources and opportunities. Many islands have faced population loss in recent decades, and some islanders have developed their homelands into tourist destinations in order to combat economic instability. Islands often conjure up exotic, otherworldly beauty and have provided both refuge and inspiration for artists and writers, such as Paul Gauguin in Tahiti and George Orwell on the Scottish island of Jura. Filled with intriguing illustrations, Islands is a compelling and comprehensive survey of the geographical and cultural aspects of island life.
A comprehensive exploration of the geographical and cultural aspects of islands.
In this cultural and scientific history of these alluring, often isolated, territories, Stephen A. Royle describes the great variety of islands scattered around the world, their economies, and the animals, plants and people living on them. He shows that despite the view of some islands as earthly paradises, they are often beset by severe limitations in both resources and opportunities. Many islands have faced population loss in recent decades, and some islanders have developed their homelands into tourist destinations in order to combat economic instability. Islands often conjure up exotic, otherworldly beauty and have provided both refuge and inspiration for artists and writers, such as Paul Gauguin in Tahiti and George Orwell on the Scottish island of Jura. Filled with intriguing illustrations, Islands is a compelling and comprehensive survey of the geographical and cultural aspects of island life.
-
'
One way to engage the perennial question of what is an island? as Stephen Royle does in this exemplary book is to explore how islands are understood through different academic disciplines, media and the arts . . . Royles book has a pace and conveys an excitement about islands that allows him to rapidly move through a range of contemporary debates in islands scholarship . . . the book as a whole is notable for the large number of illustrations (there seems to be one on every second page!). Here, Royle devotes space to reflecting on the nature of light and the associated atmospheres of islands, providing a particularly fascinating discussion of Gauguin . . . I found Islands to be an extremely enjoyable and fruitful read. The book is relevant for lay people, students and scholars alike, and Royles vivid writing style anf illuminating examples remind us why islands hold such a recurrent appeal for geographers and those from related disciplines.
'Cultural Geographies
1. Islands: Definition and Formation
2. Island Characteristics
3. Island Identity, Mythology, Religion and Customary Practices
4. The Island as Laboratory
5. Island Literature
6. Islands: Visual Arts and Film, Television and Radio
7. Popular Culture: Islands and Tourism
Appendix: 100 Islands (Including Australia)
References
Select Bibliography
Island Resources and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
Stephen A. Royle is Professor of Island Geography at Queen’s University Belfast. He is a founding member of the International Small Island Studies Association, Deputy Editor of Island Studies Journal and has visited 778 islands across the globe.