"The stories in Living with the Locals provide a glimpse into Aboriginal life at the point of early contact between Aboriginal people and British colonists. It was a time when negative attitudes towards Aboriginal people gave rise to misinterpretation of events and sensationalised versions of the stories. However, many of the white survivors spoke up against the appalling treatment of Aboriginal people, and advocated for conciliation and land rights. They also were unwilling to reveal Aboriginal beliefs and customs to unsympathetic colonists"--Back cover.