The Isles of Fear: The Truth About the Philippines is a controversial work of investigative journalism published in 1925 by American author Katherine Mayo. Written during a period of intense political debate over the Philippine Islands' push for immediate self-governance, the book was intended to provide the American public with an on-the-ground assessment to inform their decision regarding their colonial responsibilities. The author's stated purpose was to collect material for her fellow countrymen, who she notes were "vaguely aware of a sensation of unrest" and "Voices, once and again, asking for Philippine Independence". Mayo's central argument is a strong appeal against immediate independence, contending that the native Christian Filipino elite, the caciques, oppress and exploit the vast peasant class, the tao. The narrative focuses on the human element, detailing cases of usury, peonage, and local political tyranny, and asserts that deep ethnic, political, and social divisions between the Christian Filipinos, Moros, and Igorots preclude a unified nation capable of self-rule. The book was highly influential in the American debate on colonial policy and ignited a strong reaction from Filipino nationalist leaders.
The isles of fear: the truth about the Philippines