Treasured Islands

An account of Robert Louis Stevenson's desperate search for health, and the fulfilment of his life-long ambition to cross broad oceans in tall ships and gain an understanding of the world beyond the frontiers of 'civilised' society. It is the story of a literary giant and his supportive and somewhat eccentric family and the ships-the Casco, the Equator and the Janet Nicoll-that transported them to high adventure in the South Pacific between the years 1888 and 1890. Like many sailors before and since, the South Sea islands haunted and inspired legendary author Robert Louis Stevenson. Lowell D. Holmes' account of Stevenson's Pacific wanderings is an enchanting mix of high seas adventure and a fresh view of the fragile writer and his eccentric but devoted family. Holmes an anthropologist and a sailor, senses a kindred spirit as he describes Stevenson's fascination and respect for the island cultures.