The Pacific Way: a MemoirKamisese MaraLabel: University of Hawai'i PressDescription: Ratu Sir Kamisese's thoughtful and entertaining memoir of his personal and political life candidly outlines significant events in the development of Fiji a plural society for which The Pacific Way holds a special and evocative meaning. The phrase inspired his 1970 partnership with the Indian opposition leader to produce a constitution whereby in his own words “people of different races opinions and cultures can live and work together for the good of all can differ without rancour govern without malice and accept responsibility as reasonable people intent on serving the interests of all. After leading Fiji through 17 years of multiracial harmony he found it ironic that his defeat in 1987 opposed by an Indian-dominated coalition and a fervid Fijian Nationalist Party was provoked by his multiracialism. But this same multiracial vision enabled him after the military coups in 1987 to lead an interim government that restored stability and economic progress.As the appointed President of Fiji he is sustained by wide popular acclaim and affection. Very few Pacific leaders have published their opinions and perspectives on such a wide range of issues and topics. In addition to his long and distinguished political life he tells of his chiefly heritage his early education and medical studies at Otago University his years at Oxford University and his career as a colonial administrator. His memoir will be of outstanding interest to Pacific historians political scientists and anthropologists as well as the general reader.
