THE LAST ISLAND by Adam Goodheart: A Story of the Andamans and the Most Elusive Tribe in the World

Juggernaut. Paperback. NEW. North Sentinel Island is a secluded piece of land situated in the vast Indian Ocean. It is home to a reclusive tribe that has very limited interaction with the modern world. The island is located on the outskirts of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago and gained international attention in 2018 due to a tragic incident. An American missionary, carrying a Bible, attempted to visit the island but was met with hostility and ultimately killed by the islanders, who were armed with bow and arrows. The Sentinelese, dubbed as "the most isolated people in the world" by Survival International, are not the only reclusive tribe to have survived into the twenty-first century, but they are unique in having their own island. In the past, the entire archipelago was home to several isolated tribes, until the establishment of a British penal colony in the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, a series of tumultuous relationships between the indigenous people and the colonizers ensued, resulting in tragic outcomes. Despite these encounters, the Sentinelese have vehemently resisted any form of external influence and have managed to maintain their independence. "The Last Island" tells a gripping tale of violence and colonialism, reminiscent of a novel by Joseph Conrad. It is a combination of a travelogue and a narrative history, based on the experiences of historian Adam Goodheart. Goodheart embarked on two expeditions to the archipelago, with a span of more than twenty years between them. During these trips, he conducted insightful interviews with Indian anthropologists, particularly T.N. Pandit, who successfully established friendly contact with the Sentinelese. Additionally, Goodheart delved deep into colonial records and other available sources to craft a comprehensive account. At the heart of this captivating story lies North Sentinel Island, the last bastion of isolation in a world that is increasingly interconnected. Goodheart ponders the impact of modernity, which seems to be relentlessly approaching the shores of this secluded place. The book sparks a profound meditation on the consequences of globalization and the potential loss of unique cultures and ways of life. The information presented in "The Last Island" sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the world's cultural diversity. It highlights the importance of maintaining respect for the autonomy and wishes of indigenous communities, even in an era characterized by rapid technological advancements. North Sentinel Island and its enigmatic inhabitants serve as a poignant reminder of the inherent value in preserving our global heritage and the need for nuanced interactions between different cultures.