"The so-called Coconut War began on 27 May 1980 when a rebel faction took control of the island of Espiritu Santo. British Commando Royal Marines, combat police from the French Garde Mobile and Papua New Guinean troops invaded the New Hebrides, prepared to do battle with an army of bow and arrow warriors led by Jimmy Stevens, an aging village chief. It began as a light-hearted affair and ended in tragedy less than 4 months later with the arrest of Jimmy and the death of his son. In the first account of the war Richard Shears describes the sad-funny story of one man's defiant stand against the might of Britain, France and the local authorities. He also presents a sardonic picture of how the press dealt with the crisis that briefly captures the world's attention." --Back cover.

The Coconut War was the nickname for the rebellion on Espiritu Santo in 1979-80. The rebellion was not against the colonial powers, rather it was against the nascent government of Vanuatu. The French "Moderates" party wanted more say in the new government, including a slower path to Independence and stronger French culture in the new government. In an ironic play on their name of Moderates, they attacked the provincial government in Tanna and Espiritu Santo and declared Espiritu Santo and the northern islands the independent nation of Vemarana. But in 1980 it was the scene of a bizarre conflict, when a tribal leader called Jimmy Stevens, supported by an army of bow and arrow warriors, took over one of the northern islands and tried to break away from the powers of Britain and France. The British sent in their troops; the French theirs. But Jimmy and his men held firm. Award-winning journalist Richard Shears traveled to what was then known as the New Hebrides and became caught up in a most curious state of affairs, comic and tragic. It is doubtful that the Pacific will ever see anything like this kind of madness again. The author was dispatched to cover the story at the beginning of the conflict. The book is a chronicle of his adventures trying to find and then report on the Coconut War.

The Good Neighbour explores the Australian government's efforts to support peace in the Pacific Islands from 1980 to 2006. It tells the story of the deployment of Australian diplomatic, military and policing resources at a time when neighbouring governments were under pressure from political violence and civil unrest. The main focus of this volume is Australian peacemaking and peacekeeping in response to the Bougainville Crisis, a secessionist rebellion that began in late 1988 with the sabotage of a major mining operation. Following a signed peace agreement in 2001, the crisis finally ended in December 2005, under the auspices of the United Nations. During this time Australia's involvement shifted from behind-the-scenes peacemaking, to armed peacekeeping intervention, and finally to a longer-term unarmed regional peacekeeping operation. Granted full access to all relevant government files, Bob Breen recounts the Australian story from decisions made in Canberra to the planning and conduct of operations.

Travelers will find the best of the South Pacific in this guidebook that provides in-depth coverage of outdoor recreation. Complete with helpful maps, photographs and illustrations, as well as useful advice on food, entertainment, and money, this guidebook offers the tools travelers need for a uniquely personal experience.