First encounters: the early Pacific and European narratives of Abel Tasman's 1642 voyage

Uittreksel

In this important book, Rudiger Mack seeks to rebalance our perspective by focusing upon the expedition led by Abel Tasman, in 1642-1643, which discovered Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji and New Britain, and visited Tonga, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. It also includes the first-ever complete English translation of an important resource for the voyage — from Nicolaes Witsen’s 1705 book Noord en Oost Tartarye — as well as preserves excerpts and illustrations from the journal of Tasman’s chief navigator, Francois Jacobsz. Rüdiger Mack has devoted more than 25 years to this work and has meticulously uncovered new and fascinating details around this extraordinary exploration, from the reasons for its secrecy, the competitive environment of 17th century exploration, and new insights on first contacts with the indigenous populations of the wider Pacific.

Inhoud

Foreword / Atholl Anderson -- Introduction -- The main Dutch protagonists : Anthony van Diemen, Abel Tasman and Francois Jacobsz Visscher -- Dutch and indigenous sources of Tasman's 1642-43 voyage -- The main events and achievements of Tasman's 1642-43 voyage -- The encounters through Pacific eyes in Aotearoa New Zealand and in Tonga -- The encounters through European eyes -- The Haelbos account published by Arnoldus Montanus, 1671 -- Noord en Oost Tartarye : the book and its author Nicolaes Witsen -- NeOT references to the Indian Ocean, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and New Guinea -- NeOT illustrations of Tasman's voyage -- Tasman's artists during the 1642-43 voyage and the copyist in Batavia -- Early European suggestions to further explore New Zealand and the unknown Southland -- Is there a painting or drawing of Abel Tasman? -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1 : Bericht op de bevolking van Amerika -- Appendix 2 : English translation of Bericht op de bevolking van Amerika -- Glossary of te reo Māori and other words.