by Brian K. Crawford (Editor), William Mariner (Author), John Martin MD (Author)
In 1806 the English privateer Port au Prince anchored in the South Pacific kingdom of Tonga, seeking food and help. Instead, they were attacked by the Tongans. Half the crew was massacred and thrown to the sharks; the rest were enslaved. Fourteen-year-old William Mariner was adopted into the family of Finau 'ulukalala, the powerful and charismatic king of the islands. Mariner spent four years in Tonga, participating in Finau's wars, managing a plantation, and learning all he could of the language, customs, history, and politics of the Tongan people. After he returned to England in 1810, he met Dr. John Martin, who took down his story and published his remarkable tale. This edition is a reprint of both volumes of the complete text of the Third Edition of the book, published in Edinburgh in 1827.
Author Biography
Brian K. Crawford is a writer and historian living in Marin County, California. He and his wife Linda met and lived in Tonga in 1972 and they returned again in 1982 to visit the places described by Mariner. Mr. Crawford is also the author of Toki, a historical novel about William Mariner. He has published several collections of short stories, several memoirs, and has reprinted other books of early Pacific exploration. His books can be found at www.BrianCrawford.info The Crawford Press San Anselmo CA