First Encounters: The Early Pacific and European Narratives of Abel Tasman’s 1642 Voyage

In this important book, Rüdiger 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 <I>Noord en Oost Tartarye</i> — 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.