'In 1837 and 1838 the German ship's doctor Hermann Koeler, spent about nine months in the young colony of South Australia. His idiosyncratic but detailed account of people, language and customs has remained unnoticed by Australian scholars. This book brings together a translation of Koeler's texts and two explanatory essays on the early contact history and linguistic situation. The book will appeal to both the general public interested in life in early South Australia, and academic historians and linguists who will find a wealth of new information.' (Publisher's website)