Description
Discover the gripping tale of 'The White Divers of Broome', a powerful narrative set against the backdrop of early 20th century Australia. This compelling B-format paperback, published by Pan Macmillan Australia in 2002, immerses readers in the vibrant and tumultuous world of Broome in 1912. During this time, the town was a melting pot of cultures, where Asian and Aboriginal communities coexisted alongside British settlers amid the booming pearl shell industry. At the heart of this story are twelve British Royal Navy-trained divers who were brought in to challenge the Asian workers' dominance in pearl-shell diving—a bold move driven by the controversial 'White Australia' policy.
This book unravels the racial tensions, aspirations, and tragedies surrounding this historical experiment. With 320 pages, it combines historical depth with engaging storytelling that reflects many societal issues we still encounter today. Whether you're looking for a deep dive into Australian history or a gripping read on colonial dynamics, 'The White Divers of Broome' offers an insightful perspective on a little-known chapter in Australia’s past. Experience the drama, the challenges, and the moral complexities faced by individuals during this pivotal time in history.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780330363389. Year: 2002.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780330363389
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2002
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pages: 320
Description:
In 1912 Broome was as much Asian as Australian, filled with the smell of unfamiliar spices and a babel of competing languages. The town thrived on the hugely profitable, and extremely dangerous pearl shell industry, where Asian labour was cheap to hire, and easy to replace. It was a frontier town, where racial tensions simmered uneasily between whites, Asians and Aborigines.
In that year, twelve British Royal Navy-trained divers and their tenders were sent to Broome, urged on by a Federal Government deep in the grip of the 'White Australia' policy and anxious to rid the country of the last remaining Asian 'taint'. Their task was to master the perilous art of pearl-shell diving, and overcome the Asian stranglehold on the pearling industry, proving once and for all the supremacy of the white man over the coloured.
The White Divers of Broome tells the extraordinary story of this experiment, and its fatal aftermath. It is a gripping narrative, and a window on a past that echoes with many of the same fears, prejudices and hopes as our society today.
This book unravels the racial tensions, aspirations, and tragedies surrounding this historical experiment. With 320 pages, it combines historical depth with engaging storytelling that reflects many societal issues we still encounter today. Whether you're looking for a deep dive into Australian history or a gripping read on colonial dynamics, 'The White Divers of Broome' offers an insightful perspective on a little-known chapter in Australia’s past. Experience the drama, the challenges, and the moral complexities faced by individuals during this pivotal time in history.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780330363389. Year: 2002.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780330363389
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2002
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Pages: 320
Description:
In 1912 Broome was as much Asian as Australian, filled with the smell of unfamiliar spices and a babel of competing languages. The town thrived on the hugely profitable, and extremely dangerous pearl shell industry, where Asian labour was cheap to hire, and easy to replace. It was a frontier town, where racial tensions simmered uneasily between whites, Asians and Aborigines.
In that year, twelve British Royal Navy-trained divers and their tenders were sent to Broome, urged on by a Federal Government deep in the grip of the 'White Australia' policy and anxious to rid the country of the last remaining Asian 'taint'. Their task was to master the perilous art of pearl-shell diving, and overcome the Asian stranglehold on the pearling industry, proving once and for all the supremacy of the white man over the coloured.
The White Divers of Broome tells the extraordinary story of this experiment, and its fatal aftermath. It is a gripping narrative, and a window on a past that echoes with many of the same fears, prejudices and hopes as our society today.