Kava in the Blood: A Personal & Political Memoir from the Heart of Fiji

"The literary device of juxtaposing the story of the Fiji coup against autobiographical reminiscences of a Fiji background works very well. This is an excellent story, beautifully written and skillfully mixing the personal with the political .. The EH McCormick Award for the Best First Book of Non Fiction, sponsored by the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN Inc) and Creative New Zealand, goes to Kava in the Blood by Peter Thomson." - Judges Report, Montana New Zealand Book Awards, 2000. Entwined through the author's reportage of the 1987 coups is an evocative picture of life in the islands. Thus, Kava in the Blood is also an intriguing story of hurricanes, haunted houses and copious kava consumption, set within the dramatic landscapes and vibrant cultures of the Fiji Islands.

Peter Thomson, born in Suva, Fiji in 1948 is a Fiji diplomat and is currently the Special Ocean Envoy to the United Nations. Peter is a fifth generation Fijian of Scottish descent. He began his career as a Fiji civil servant in 1972, working in rural development as District Officer in Navua, Macuata and Taveuni. From 1978 to 1985 he served in Tokyo and Sydney for Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before returning to Suva in 1986 as Permanent Secretary of Information. In 1987 he was appointed as Permanent Secretary to Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau. During Peter’s time at Government House between the two coups d’etat of 1987, the Governor-General was the sole executive authority of Fiji. Peter Thomson is a passionate advocate for a multi-racial, multicultural Fiji. He believes that race-based constitutions and political parties have been very divisive for the nation and is committed to a future in which all citizens enjoy equal rights.