A History of Seychelles (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Ephyia Publishing, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: CitiRetail, Stevenage, United KingdomCitiRetail
AbeBooks seller since June 29, 2022
Condition: New
£ 19.49
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. Discover the remarkable journey of Seychelles from a pristine, uninhabited archipelago to a vibrant Creole nation in this comprehensive history. You will explore the islands' ancient geological origins, learning how continental granite fragments and coral atolls formed a unique sanctuary for giant tortoises, the legendary Coco de Mer, and endemic birds found nowhere else on Earth. The narrative then follows the first human encounters-from fleeting Arab whispers and Portuguese sightings to the daring landings of English sailors who described an "earthly paradise" of fearless wildlife and abundant resources. Delve into the tumultuous eras that shaped Seychelles' destiny, including the age of pirates who used hidden coves as their bases, the French attempt to break the Dutch spice monopoly through clandestine plantations and the ill-fated first settlement on Ste. Anne, and the strategic chessboard of the Napoleonic Wars that saw the islands change hands without a single shot fired. You will witness the profound social upheaval caused by the abolition of slavery, the arrival of Liberated Africans rescued from slave ships, and the economic shift from cotton to coconuts and vanilla that built the plantation economy and created a new Creole society rooted in resilience and self-sufficiency. Follow the political evolution from a quiet dependency of Mauritius to a Crown Colony with its own Legislative Council, through the sacrifices of the Seychelles Carrier Corps in World War I and the vital role of the islands as a seaplane base and Pioneer Corps training ground in World War II. Experience the post-war push for autonomy, the rise of rival parties led by James Mancham and France-Albert Rene, the dramatic path to independence, the 1977 coup that ushered in a socialist one-party state, and the courageous return to multi-party democracy in 1993 that restored political pluralism and set the stage for modern governance. Finally, understand how Seychelles transformed its economy in the late twentieth century, turning its breathtaking natural beauty and rich tuna grounds into the twin pillars of high-end tourism and industrial fisheries, while pioneering innovative conservation efforts such as debt-for-nature swaps, the world's first sovereign Blue Bond, and expansive marine protected areas that embody the Blue Economy. You will finish with a portrait of twenty-first-century Seychelles-its Creole identity forged from French, African, and Asian influences, its challenges of climate change, economic vulnerability, and social change, and its enduring spirit as a small nation that punches far above its weight on the world stage. This book offers readers a deep, engaging, and balanced insight into the forces that have created the Seychelles we know today. A comprehensive history of Seychelles tracing its geological origins, early Arab and Portuguese encounters, pirate era, French settlement, abolition of slavery, plantation economy, and evolution into a vibrant Creole nation. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9798256036232
- Title
- A History of Seychelles (Paperback)
- Author
- Michael Abernathy
- Publisher
- Ephyia Publishing
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798256036232
Discover the remarkable journey of Seychelles from a pristine, uninhabited archipelago to a vibrant Creole nation in this comprehensive history. You will explore the islands' ancient geological origins, learning how continental granite fragments and coral atolls formed a unique sanctuary for giant tortoises, the legendary Coco de Mer, and endemic birds found nowhere else on Earth. The narrative then follows the first human encounters-from fleeting Arab whispers and Portuguese sightings to the daring landings of English sailors who described an "earthly paradise" of fearless wildlife and abundant resources. Delve into the tumultuous eras that shaped Seychelles' destiny, including the age of pirates who used hidden coves as their bases, the French attempt to break the Dutch spice monopoly through clandestine plantations and the ill‑fated first settlement on Ste. Anne, and the strategic chessboard of the Napoleonic Wars that saw the islands change hands without a single shot fired. You will witness the profound social upheaval caused by the abolition of slavery, the arrival of Liberated Africans rescued from slave ships, and the economic shift from cotton to coconuts and vanilla that built the plantation economy and created a new Creole society rooted in resilience and self‑sufficiency. Follow the political evolution from a quiet dependency of Mauritius to a Crown Colony with its own Legislative Council, through the sacrifices of the Seychelles Carrier Corps in World War I and the vital role of the islands as a seaplane base and Pioneer Corps training ground in World War II. Experience the post‑war push for autonomy, the rise of rival parties led by James Mancham and France‑Albert René, the dramatic path to independence, the 1977 coup that ushered in a socialist one‑party state, and the courageous return to multi‑party democracy in 1993 that restored political pluralism and set the stage for modern governance. Finally, understand how Seychelles transformed its economy in the late twentieth century, turning its breathtaking natural beauty and rich tuna grounds into the twin pillars of high‑end tourism and industrial fisheries, while pioneering innovative conservation efforts such as debt‑for‑nature swaps, the world's first sovereign Blue Bond, and expansive marine protected areas that embody the Blue Economy. You will finish with a portrait of twenty‑first‑century Seychelles-its Creole identity forged from French, African, and Asian influences, its challenges of climate change, economic vulnerability, and social change, and its enduring spirit as a small nation that punches far above its weight on the world stage. This book offers readers a deep, engaging, and balanced insight into the forces that have created the Seychelles we know today.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
CitiRetail
Stevenage, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since June 29, 2022
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 7 to 60 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 37.00 | £ 37.00 |
Payment methods
Store description
Online business
Seller's business information
ABC BOOKS LIMITED
10 John Street
London, United Kingdom WC1N 2EB
Terms of sale
Orders can be returned within 30 days of receipt.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to CitiRetail, Stevenage, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Please note that titles are dispatched from our US, Canadian or Australian warehouses. Delivery times specified in shipping terms. Orders ship within 2 business days. Delivery to your door then takes 7-14 days.