The students at Adame's high school graduation were called the last of the war babies, those born during the final months of World War II. Little did they know that their own war was only a few years away and that it would hit them and the country right between the eyes. Adame believes his account mirrors the stories of thousands of guys and gals caught up in a point in history that challenged a generation and a nation. He was fifteen when the era of rock and roll, drugs, and free love began. As if all of that weren't enough, there was Vietnam.

The authors have brought together a collection of works from specialists in Pacific History from across Australia and throughout the Pacific. The individual contributions were specifically written to meet the needs of senior history courses in Australia. Max Quanchi and Ron Adams are well-known educationists who have specialised in the pacific. They have extensively travelled and studied in the Pacific and have spent many years teaching history to secondary and fertiary students. The result is an authoritative text for all senior History and Australian Studies students who need to understand the Pacific region.