Stretching from Fiji in the east to New Guinea in the west, Melanesia is astonishingly diverse. Its islands are home to some 1200 language groups, many of them still isolated from the outside world.In Australia, this complex region only makes the news in times of crisis: military coups in Fiji, Kanak unrest in New Caledonia, revolt in Bougainville, rioting in Solomon Islands. Melanesia offers readers a deeper insight into the people and places behind these headlines, combining travelogue, history and astute political analysis.By land and sea, Hamish McDonald travels from one end of Melanesia to the other. Speaking with locals from all walks of life, he uncovers the histories, values, aspirations and tensions that have shaped their communities. And he considers the big changes unfolding today, as shifting demographics and the growing influence of China produce a new balance of power across the region.Melanesia is essential reading for anyone looking to understand this fascinating part of the world and its growing international significance.