The White Rajah (1961)

The breathtaking island of Makassang, in the Java Sea, is the setting for this tremendous historical novel. It is a place both splendid and savage, where piracy, plundering, and barbarism are rife. The aging Rajah, threatened by native rebellion, enlists the help of Richard Marriott—baronet's son-turned-buccaneer—promising him a fortune to save his throne. But when Richard falls in love with the Rajah's beautiful daughter, the island, and its people, he finds himself drawn into a personal quest to restore peace and prosperity.

Nicholas Monsarrat was born in Liverpool and educated at Cambridge University, where he studied law. His career as a solicitor encountered a swift end when he decided to leave Liverpool for London, with a half-finished manuscript under his arm and £40 in his pocket. His first book to attract attention was the largely autobiographical 'This is the Schoolroom'. During World War Two he joined the Royal Navy and served in the corvettes. His war experience provided the framework for the novel 'HMS Marlborough will enter Harbour', one of his best known books. 'The Cruel Sea' was made into a classic film starring Jack Hawkins. Established as a top name writer Monsarrat's writing career concluded with 'The Master Mariner'. Well known for his concise story telling and tense narrative, he became one of the most successful novelists of the twentieth century, whose rich and varied collection bears the hallmarks of a truly gifted writer.