From Charles Darwin’s enlightening voyage to the Galapagos Islands to moat-encased prisons incarcerating the world’s deadliest prisoners, islands have been sites of immense scientific, political, and creative importance. An inspiration for artists and writers, they can be lively centers of holiday revelry or remote, mysterious spots; places of escape or of exile and imprisonment. In this cultural and scientific history of these alluring, isolated territories, Stephen A. Royle describes the great variety of islands, their economies, and the animals, plants, and people who thrive on them.
Royle shows that despite the view of some islands as earthly paradises, they are often beset by severe limitations in both resources and opportunities. Detailing the population loss many islands have faced in recent years, he considers how islanders have developed their homes into tourist destinations in order to combat economic instability. He also explores their exotic, otherworldly beauty and the ways they have provided both refuge and inspiration for artists, such as Paul Gauguin in Tahiti and George Orwell on the Scottish island of Jura. Filled with illustrations, Islands is a compelling and comprehensive survey of the geographical and cultural aspects of island life.
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Science & Nature
Ecology
Science
Nonfiction
Environment
Nature
Geography
Earth Sciences
Cover 1
Islands 5
Imprint Page 6
Contents 7
1. Islands: Definition and Formation 9
2. Island Characteristics 31
3. Island Identity, Mythology, Religion and Customary Practices 57
4. The Island as Laboratory 79
5. Island Literature 104
6. Islands: Visual Arts and Film, Television and Radio 132
7. Popular Culture: Islands and Tourism 156
Appendix: 100 Islands (Including Australia) 183
References 203
Select Bibliography 216
Island Resources and Websites 218
Acknowledgements 220
Photo Acknowledgements 220
Index 221

upload/motw_shc_2025_10/shc/Islands_ Nature and Culture - Stephen A. Royle.pdf

motw/Islands_ Nature and Culture - Stephen A. Royle.pdf

QuarkXPress(R) 9.54r1

Royle, Stephen A.;

Earth series, Earth series (Reaktion Books (Firm)), England, 2014

Earth series (Reaktion Books (Firm)), London, UK, 2014

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Reaktion Books - Earth, London, 2014

PS, 2014

producers:
3-Heights(TM) PDF Producer 4.2.26.0 (http://www.pdf-tools.com)

Memory of the World Librarian: Calamitous Annunciation

Cover title.
Includes bibliographical references and index.

Islands Are Contradictory Places: They Can Be Remote, Mysterious Spots, Or Lively Centres Of Holiday Revelry; They Are Associated Alternately With Escape, Imprisonment, Holiday And Exile. For People Seeking Beautiful Landscapes, Solitude, Or Exciting Adventure, Islands Are Arguably The Most Popular Tourism Spots In The World. Filled With Illustrations, 'islands' Guides Readers Through The Cultural And Scientific History Of These Diverse Environments.

2025-10-27