"The story I have to tell is still going on as I write [....] it is a piece of contemporary history in the most exact sense." -Robert Louis Stevenson, A Footnote to History (1887) A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa (1887), by Robert Louis Stevenson, describes 10 years (from 1882 to 1892) in the history of a civil war that Stevenson became involved with after moving to Samoa. During this conflict, three colonial powers-America, Germany, and Britain-battled for control of Samoa with the indigenous factions that struggled to preserve their ancient political system. This book is the author's attempt to analyze the "elements of discord" in Samoa, giving his writing the realism of front-line journalism.

A great part of the last four years of Stevenson's life was occupied, very unfortunately for his literary work, in an active share in Samoan politics. For some years before he began to travel in the Pacific, the islands in which he at last made his home, had been in a disturbed condition from causes partly arising from native differences, and partly from foreign interference. Before ever he had reached Samoa he had espoused the cause of the native race of Honolulu, and in February 1889 had written to ' The Times ' crying against German aggressiveness in Samoa, displayed not only in relations with the natives, but against American and English. Inasmuch as A Footnote to History records Samoan affairs from 1883 to 1891, it should be noted that Stevenson first set foot in Samoa at Christmas 1889, and after a brief stay was absent nearly the whole of the following year. Thus it was only during one of the eight years that he was in direct touch with what was going on. The history of the previous period he gathered from white residents such as H. J. Moors {q.v.) and others who more or less shared his political views, or at any rate from motives of interest were opposed to the German element.

‘A Footnote to History’ is an account of Colonial abuse in Samoa, the scramble by the US, Germany and Britain so swallow up land with little regard for the native Samoans. Stevenson became deeply ingrained in the local culture, siding squarely with the Samoans against the duplicitous colonials, so much so that he even fought alongside the Samoans to help keep their king in power. It is frontline journalism, Stevenson is in the midst of this conflict and gives incredible account of both the foreign and native discord. His account brings century old events to life and makes for incredible reading. Despite its age, the lessons in this book stand the test of time and deserve to be learned by all. Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), was an author with a formidable legacy. You will be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who has not come across his work in one form or another. The brilliant mind behind ‘Treasure Island’ and the ‘Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, has had a profound impact on every aspect of entertainment to this day with his brilliant creations. Despite dealing with ill health all his life he was a prolific traveller, spending his later years in Samoa where he fought vigorously for the rights of the natives, earning their love and respect. R.L Stevenson was a character in his own right, passionate and adventurous, his spirit shines through in his work, from his novels to his travel guides. You simply owe it to yourself to experience his creations, he was a true titan of literature on whose shoulders we all stand.

Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the greatest authors of the nineteenth century. Stevenson still ranks as one of the most translated authors in history. Classic books such as Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are still widely read today and have been made into many critically acclaimed films throughout the years. This book is a historical non-fiction book that describes the Samoan Civil War. Stevenson arrived in Samoa in 1889 and built a house at Vailima and quickly became enthralled with the politics governing the region.

Differentiated book- It has a historical context with research of the time-The purpose of realizing this historical context is to approach the understanding of a historical epoch from the elements provided by the text. Hence the importance of placing the document in context. It is necessary to unravel what its author or authors have said, how it has been said, when, why and where, always relating it to its historical moment.A Footnote to History, Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is an 1892 non-fiction historical work by Robert Louis Stevenson that describes the contemporary Samoan Civil War.Robert Louis Stevenson arrived in Samoa in 1889 and built a house in Vailima. He quickly became passionately interested and engaged in the concomitant political machinations. These involved the three colonial powers that were fighting for control of Samoa, the United States, Germany, and Great Britain, and the indigenous factions that were fighting to preserve their old political system. The book covers the period from 1882 to 1892.The book served as such a staunch protest against existing conditions that it resulted in the removal of two officials, and Stevenson for a time feared that it would result in his own deportation. When things were finally over, he wrote to Sidney Colvin, who came from a family of distinguished colonial administrators:

A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa is an 1892 historical non-fiction work by Robert Louis Stevenson describing the contemporary Samoan Civil War.Robert Louis Stevenson arrived in Samoa in 1889 and built a house at Vailima. He quickly became passionately interested, and involved, in the attendant political machinations. These involved the three colonial powers battling for control of Samoa - America, Germany and Britain - and the indigenous factions struggling to preserve their ancient political system. The book covers the period from 1882 to 1892.The book served as such a stinging protest against existing conditions that it resulted in the recall of two officials, and Stevenson for a time feared that it would result in his own deportation. When things had finally blown over he wrote to Sidney Colvin, who came from a family of distinguished colonial administrators, "I used to think meanly of the plumber; but how he shines beside the politician!"

A Footnote to History Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa Robert Louis Stevenson