Trial of Strength: Adventures and misadventures on the wild and remote subantarctic islands

by Shona Riddell

The world's subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe below New Zealand, Australia, Africa and South America in the 'Roaring Forties' and 'Furious Fifties' latitudes. They are filled with unique plants and wildlife, constantly buffeted by lashing rain and furious gales, and surrounded by a vast, powerful ocean. New Zealand and Australian subantarctic islands in particular have a rich and fascinating human history, from the early 19th-century explorers and sealers through to modern-day conservation and adventure tourism. And yet, the subantarctic islands are often called our 'forgotten islands' because so few people know of their existence, despite their status since 1998 as World Heritage sites. Trial of Strength is a history book filled with compelling photos for a modern audience, and one that, for the first time, includes women's stories as more than just a footnote. Balanced and engaging, it features classic tales of infamous shipwrecks, lesser-known stories of intrepid pioneers, as well as more recent stories of adventure tourism, conservation wins, and dramatic helicopter rescues. Written by the descendant of two 19th-century British colonial settlers who attempted to create a home for their young family in this bleak environment, Trial of Strength will leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.

264 pages, Hardcover

Published October 16, 2018

About the author

Shona Riddell is a writer from Wellington, New Zealand. She enjoys cold, windy weather and stories about remote locations.

Reviews

[Carmel Audsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique plants and wildlife thrive in one of the world’s few remaining unspoiled environments – the Subantarctic islands – which are surrounded and protected by vast, powerful oceans. The Subantarctic islands, below the southern tips of Australia, New Zealand, South America and Africa, have no permanent ice on them, but they can be brutally cold and are mostly uninhabited by humans. However, despite their isolation, the islands have hosted whale and seal hunters, castaways from shipwrecks who have been left to battle the elements in a bid for survival, and others who have found themselves there through adventure or misadventure. The author’s personal pilgrimage to the Auckland islands, to walk in the footsteps of her British ancestors and discover more about their ill-fated residence on the island, was life-changing and led to the creation of this beautiful book. It documents the history of intrepid polar explorers, weather-watchers, scientists, warriors and optimistic farmers who braved the wilds of the Subantarctic islands. There are stunning photographs of penguins, sea lions, whales, feral goats, rugged coastline and windswept tussocks. Today, New Zealand's Subantarctic islands are all UNESCO World Heritage sites. The engaging stories about how people coped in this hostile environment, including women whose lives are sometimes consigned to historical footnotes, inform and entertain. An immersive experience.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. Very easy to read and I loved the little asides from the author that made you feel included

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly enjoyable book! It packs in so much history and information but in a very easy to read way. I especially loved the stories featuring the amazing women who have spent time either accidentally or on purpose on the subantarctic islands, and really enjoyed reading about the author's personal experience on her trip to and around the islands.
I'm not certain I'd like to visit, the islands seem inhospitable and bleak at best (but also stunning if you're there at the exact right moment!), but my life will be forever enriched by my new found knowledge of the islands and their history.

[Jerry Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories about the history of the islands from a descendant of a short-time settler. Shona happens to be onboard this voyage on Aurora Expeditions Douglas Mawson. As she describes her first experiences I am completing similar ones like a 7 mile hike around Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands seeing yellow-eyed penguins, Southern Royal Albatross, skuas and giant petrels and seals and sea lions. The mega herbs and tussocks make for uneasy footing sometimes.

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly enjoyable book! It packs in so much history and information but in a very easy to read way. I especially loved the stories featuring the amazing women who have spent time either accidentally or on purpose on the subantarctic islands, and really enjoyed reading about the author's personal experience on her trip to and around the islands.
I'm not certain I'd like to visit, the islands seem inhospitable and bleak at best (but also stunning if you're there at the exact right moment!), but my life will be forever enriched by my new found knowledge of the islands and their history.