Bali: Heaven and Hell

Bali: Heaven and Hell is a lively cultural and social history of Australia's favourite holiday island. Detailing the island's tumultous and often violent past, its mythology, religion and politics, and the last 50 years of western colonization and modern development. It is a place that both appeals and repels. Together with substantial knowledge and research of the island's early history, Phil Jarratt has plenty of personal first hand experience from the early 70s Bali and so takes the reader on a fascinating and personal journey back into another time and place. Extensive interviews with participants from this time in Bali feature to provide a unique first hand view of the dramatic changes and developments that have taken place. There is no doubt that Bali is a popular destination for holiday makers from around Australia and represents many different things for numerous young it is their first destination overseas, for some it is a spiritual destination, for some just a place to go and get sun, sex and cheap booze etc., for some a luxurious high end experience, for others a profitable business opportunity. In any regard it has an enduring appeal with many making a regular pilgrimage there despite the dark and dangerous things that have occurred there.