David McKnight has been conducting research among the aboriginal community on Mornington Island, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia for more than 30 years. This volume is about the social change he has witnessed and the devastating effects of alcohol on this community. McKnight charts the progress of this growing alcohol consumption and explores how it now affects all reaches of the communities lives - local politics, marriage, child-rearing practices, gender relationships, dance festivals, outstations, employment, law, housing and education. The author also takes a sensible and fascinating look at the origins of this habit.