The Colony, John Tayman
The Colony, John Tayman
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The Colony
The Harrowing True Story of the Exiles of Molokai

Author: John Tayman

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Unabridged: 15 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/15/2006


Synopsis

In the bestselling tradition of In the Heart of the Sea, The Colony reveals the untold history of the infamous American leprosy colony on Molokai and of the extraordinary people who struggled to survive under the most horrific circumstances.

In 1866, twelve men and women and one small child were forced aboard a leaky schooner and cast away to a natural prison on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. Two weeks later, a dozen others were exiled, and then forty more, and then a hundred more. Tracked by bounty hunters and torn screaming from their families, the luckless were loaded into shipboard cattle stalls and abandoned in a lawless place where brutality held sway. Many did not have leprosy, and most of those who did were not contagious, yet all were caught in a shared nightmare. The colony had little food, little medicine, and very little hope. Exile continued for more than a century, the longest and deadliest instance of medical segregation in American history. Nearly nine thousand people were banished to the colony, trapped by pounding surf and armed guards and the highest sea cliffs in the world. Twenty-eight live there still.

John Tayman tells the fantastic saga of this horrible and hopeful place—at one time the most famous community in the world—and of the individuals involved. The narrative is peopled by presidents and kings, cruel lawmen and pioneering doctors, and brave souls who literally gave their lives to help. A stunning cast includes the martyred Father Damien, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London, Mark Twain, Teddy Roosevelt, John Wayne, and more. The result is a searing tale of survival and bravery, and a testament to the power of faith, compassion, and heroism.

"Tayman's narrative pulls the reader beyond the superficial, medical horrors of leprosy to the more devastating human horrors that lie beneath. In doing so, he has brought to light the profound dignity of his subjects."—New York Times

"Tayman's crisp, flowing writing and inclusion of personal stories and details make this an utterly engrossing look at a heartbreaking chapter in Hawaiian history."—Booklist

"Drawing on contemporary sources and eyewitness accounts of the still surviving members of the colony, Tayman has created a fitting monument to the strength and character of the castoffs in particular, and human beings as a whole."—Publishers Weekly

About John Tayman

John Tayman is the former deputy editor of Outside magazine. He has been editor-at-large for Men's Journal, executive editor of New England Monthly and contributing editor to Life, GQ, People, Men's Health, and Business 2.0.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Preeti on July 17, 2016

I'd been wanting to read this book ever since I first heard about it after reading Moloka'i by Alan Brennert a few years ago. In preparation for a trip to Hawaii, I figured this was a good time to check it out. It tells the story of Hansen's disease (or leprosy, as it used to be called, and still is......more

Goodreads review by Jon on March 21, 2025

A sad chapter in American history that needs to be studied so it is not repeated. To be exiled in you own land after it has been taken over is the height of unrestrained power. What was done to the Hawai'ian people was a text book example of the criminal acquisition of land at the hands of oligarchs......more

Goodreads review by Lisa on May 29, 2011

I read this because I recently read and adored the novel Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and wanted to learn more about Moloka’i by reading a non-fiction account. I nearly gave this book 5 stars (it’s a definite 4 ½ star book) because it does what it does so impressively. but the fact is I felt as though......more

Goodreads review by Chad E Spilman on May 01, 2024

I hope I never forget this book. The way John Tayman humanized everyone on the Island. Everyone had their individual personalities, fears, comforts, and dreams. The first castaways to the island were sent to die and to be segregated from healthy people. Some of the first castaways didn't even have t......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on March 03, 2011

On the surface, this book is about some people, who happened to contract Hansen's disease (leprosy) and how they were taken forcibly from their families and exiled. The deeper story is our human response to physical illness. Leprosy, prior to the 1950's was a terrible, disfiguring and painful diseas......more