Bad Colonists: The South Seas Letters of Vernon Lee Walker and Louis Becke

Bad Colonists examines the correspondence and writings of two Europeans in the South Pacific during the late 19th century - Vernon Lee Walker and Louis Becke. The book presents letters, diary entries and other documents that capture their experiences as traders and colonists in places like Samoa and the Gilbert Islands. Nicholas Thomas provides historical context and analysis to frame these primary sources, which document daily colonial life, business dealings, and interactions with indigenous peoples. The collected materials span multiple years and locations across the South Pacific region during a period of increasing Western influence. Both Walker and Becke worked as traders and lived among Pacific Islander communities, recording their observations and experiences through regular correspondence. Their writings include details about commerce, local customs, colonial administration, and personal matters. The book offers insights into the complex relationship between colonizers and colonized peoples, while challenging simplified narratives about European expansion in the Pacific. Through these intimate accounts, larger themes emerge about power, cultural contact, and the human dimensions of colonialism.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Nicholas Thomas's overall work: Academic readers find Thomas's work intellectually rigorous and detail-oriented in examining Pacific cultural exchanges. His research methodology and use of primary sources receive positive mentions in reviews. What Readers Liked: - Deep analysis of material culture and trade relationships - Balanced perspective on colonial encounters - Clear writing style that makes complex anthropological concepts accessible - Integration of indigenous perspectives alongside European accounts What Readers Disliked: - Dense academic prose in some works that can be challenging for general readers - Some find his theoretical frameworks too abstract - Limited coverage of certain Pacific regions or time periods Ratings: - "Islanders" (2010): 4.1/5 on Goodreads (89 ratings) - "Entangled Objects" (1991): 4.3/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings) - "Discoveries: The Voyages of Captain Cook" (2003): 3.8/5 on Amazon (16 ratings) One academic reviewer noted: "Thomas excels at showing how objects carried multiple meanings across cultural boundaries." A criticism from a general reader: "The theoretical discussions sometimes overshadow the historical narrative."

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📚 Vernon Lee Walker worked as a trader in the Pacific Islands during the 1870s and wrote detailed letters home describing his experiences with local cultures and colonial life 🌊 Louis Becke became one of Australia's most famous writers of Pacific fiction, drawing on his real experiences as a trader in the South Seas to create his stories 🏝️ The book features previously unpublished letters that provide rare firsthand accounts of everyday colonial life in the South Pacific during the late 19th century ✍️ Author Nicholas Thomas is a renowned anthropologist and historian who has written extensively about Pacific cultures and cross-cultural encounters 📜 The letters reveal the complex relationships between European traders and Pacific Islanders, often contradicting the romanticized version of colonial life portrayed in popular literature of the time