M.N. Pearson is Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, Australia. His previous publications include Port Cities and Intruders: the Swahili Coast, India, and Portugal in the Early Modern Era (1998) and Pious Passengers: theHajjin earlier times (1994).
'Among the literature produced on the Indian Ocean in the previous three decades, Michael Pearson's present work stands apart.' - Atlantic Economic Journal 'For the reader new to the subject they will provide stimulating and informative introductions ... [and] will easily win a place on the few reading lists around the world that feature Indian Ocean studies.' - The Round Table '[Pearson's] impressive tour de force through human history ... covers a remarkably wide range of topics, he also writes very well ... The book will certainly become the standard account for this history of the Indian Ocean for some time.' - Social Anthropology Journal' This is a book that maritime archaeologist should find useful.' - Nautical Archaeology