Book Review: Excerpta Maldiviana, by HCP Bell, *****

Male' harbour in early 1880s
H.C.P. Bell 1887

This is not easy reading. In fact it is not really meant for reading at all. It is mostly a comprehensive catalog of historical documents on the islands, compiled by a British civil servant who went there many times over several decades spanning the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX.

A uniquely useful research instrument though probably more than an average reader would be capable of digesting! Interesting old photographs and reproductions of ancient documents.









You can buy Bell's book here