Since the war of 1982, the 3,000 people who live in the remote Falkland Islands have replaced traditional colonial rule with their own autonomous government, and become wealthy from the sale of fishing licences. Now oil has been discovered, and it promises almost unimaginable wealth. Money has already transformed this tiny society - not always for the better. But home-grown challenges are as nothing compared to the threat from their neighbour, Argentina.The oil discoveries have fuelled Argentina's ambitions to take the Islands that they believe were stolen from them almost 180 years ago. Buenos Aires is making the 'Malvinas' a regional issue involving other South American countries, and has established an economic blockade of the Islands, virtually cutting them off from the continent. It is a policy they say they will continue until London agrees to discuss a transition to Argentine rule. In response, the Prime Minister has stated that Britain will support the Islanders' right to remain British.The author was born in the Falklands, and returned there to see for himself the profound ways in which his homeland has changed. He considers what islanders have gained and lost, the challenges they face and why they may soon be at the centre of another South Atlantic crisis.
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Though he now lives in west London, Graham, now 54, returns to his homeland often, and although he sees a very different place now to the forgotten outpost he lived in back in 1982, one thing hasn't changed: the sovereignty dispute hasn't been resolved. Argentina have never renounced their claim and tensions have risen in the past few months, with Argentine president Christina Kirchner dialing up the rhetoric and sabre-rattling, as well as imposing what Graham describes as "a very nasty economic and diplomatic offensive" which has included restrictions on flights and shipping to and from the Islands. "It really feels like a siege down there," says Graham. - Mirror Online This is a well written, and timely publication.- Britain at War
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I surprised myself by completing this book within 20 hours of receiving it; a period during which I also did a day's work. This book is a remarkable mix of grim foreboding; historical comparison; and hopes for the future, all encompassed by a tongue in cheek humour, which is faintly reminiscent of Private Eye. I read it against a backdrop of my own 50 year old memories of what was a truly Colonial Society. This book is not just for Falkland Islanders, or just for those who have an interest in the Islands, but for anyone who has ever backed David against Goliath;and anyone who has ever felt the weight of oppression. A remarkable book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Graham Bound is a native Falkland Islander, founder of the only newspaper, Penguin News, and now author of three books about the islands and their struggle for survival against the odds. His latest book brings the story right up to date with coverage of the latest policy of diplomatic aggression by neighbouring Argentina and its spurious claim to sovereignty over the islands.
The book is excellent, an extremely easy read and truly gripping. Graham has interviewed many of his fellow islanders together with British personnel temporarily based there and even a fair spread of Argentines in order to provide every point of view. He relates how the economic and social position of the islanders has been transformed since their liberation by British forces following the invasion by Argentina's then Fascist military regime 30 years ago. Fisheries licensing has brought enormous wealth to the islands since then and now the results of oil exploration in the surrounding territorial waters promises untold benefits in the years ahead. Graham takes a mature and highly informed view of the potential environmental and societal damage this could cause as well as the obvious advantages of the local population's transformation into one of the wealthiest communities on the planet.
But all of this is overshadowed by a return to aggression by Argentina which may currently be unable to launch another military invasion effectively but is doing everything in its power to isolate the Falklands from every other country on the South American mainland. The British Government is currently committed to protecting the islands and their population of UK citizens but many Falklanders themselves are concerned whether this may always be so in a changing world with many other interests at stake. It's a must read!
The book is excellent, an extremely easy read and truly gripping. Graham has interviewed many of his fellow islanders together with British personnel temporarily based there and even a fair spread of Argentines in order to provide every point of view. He relates how the economic and social position of the islanders has been transformed since their liberation by British forces following the invasion by Argentina's then Fascist military regime 30 years ago. Fisheries licensing has brought enormous wealth to the islands since then and now the results of oil exploration in the surrounding territorial waters promises untold benefits in the years ahead. Graham takes a mature and highly informed view of the potential environmental and societal damage this could cause as well as the obvious advantages of the local population's transformation into one of the wealthiest communities on the planet.
But all of this is overshadowed by a return to aggression by Argentina which may currently be unable to launch another military invasion effectively but is doing everything in its power to isolate the Falklands from every other country on the South American mainland. The British Government is currently committed to protecting the islands and their population of UK citizens but many Falklanders themselves are concerned whether this may always be so in a changing world with many other interests at stake. It's a must read!
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a good read by a man who should know what hes writing about. If you don't know anything about recent Falkland Island or think you do history, read this.
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