They Call Me Ishmael

More about the book

Set in the South Pacific and inspired by true events, this novel explores themes of war, gold, interracial friendship, and nationhood. Ishmael, who grows up in Bougainville, dreams of becoming a soldier. The Crisis—a brutal civil war with Papua New Guinea triggered by the massive Panguna Mine—offers him that opportunity. As the guerilla leader of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, he negotiates a peace agreement that grants his islands autonomy and the potential for an independence referendum. If successful, Bougainville could emerge as a new nation. However, following the Crisis, the island faces a corrupt government, creating a power vacuum that attracts China's interest in its resources and strategic location. When Ishmael and local chiefs approach Jack Davis, an American investor, for help in rebuilding their economy, he is drawn to Bougainville's untapped wealth in gold and copper, as well as its welcoming people. Jack, feeling disconnected from his own life and country, sees a chance for renewal in Bougainville. The unlikely partnership between Ishmael and Jack—one black and one white—underscores a shared vision for the island's future, highlighting the resilience and goodness of its people. This story, rooted in reality, offers an inspiring testament to hope and humanity.