Book: First Contact

[Hugh_Hoy]

Don't know how many here have read the book or seen the documentary. Aussies probably already know the story. A true story.

 

Setting is in about 1930-32 during the world-wide Depression. Lots of people out of work. Aussie guy hears about gold being discovered in Papua New Guinea. Quits his job (or loses it) on the railroad and heads north with a similar bunch in search of riches. Exploring inland where white men had never been seen, meeting tribes who (though only living 10 or 15 miles apart) speak different languages, stone age people who value sea shells and are a symbol of wealth/power. If you had a bucket of the most common shells, you'd be king of the jungle. Of course the natives had never seen firearms before. One of the Aussies shoots/kills one of the natives who was testing the nervous adventurers a bit more than advised. That event convinced the native witnesses that these guys were very-much "gods". And when the natives heard the short-wave radio chirping, followed by the landing of a supply plane, you can imagine the native population's amazement. The natives scavaged for every bit of the "white man's" trash: soup can lids/labels, cereal boxes, etc. fashioned into the native headgear. Very interesting story. Book is out of print, but I think generally available in public libraries. Certainly enough there to make a good movie. Surprised it hasn't been commercially produced (other than a documentary).

 

HH

[Julian2]

Is this the one?

 

It's available on ebay.

An Australian writer, Ion Idriess, wrote similar books set about the same time including "Gold Dust and Ashes". He was a favorite of my schoolboy years but his books are hard to find now.

Ion Idriess

[Hugh_Hoy]

Yes! That was the book. Good read and interesting photos.

 

HH