Oceania Books

This map will only be useful to you if you don't have any other basic resources, like a general world atlas or travel guides, at home.
The main map itself shows the entire South Pacific region, with country boundaries clearly marked, but individual islands reduced to the size of dots.
Major islands are shown on inset maps, however even these are still tiny - you will find bigger, more detailed, and more accurate maps of the same islands (and many more) in travel guidebooks to this region by Lonely Planet or Moon.
In short, unless you just want a general map to hang on your wall, don't waste your money on this one!

This map covers an area of the world that is not well represented in most world atlases. Excellent index. Fifty-one detailed inset maps.

I've been looking for a map for a long time of Oceania because after college I'm settling on an island by myself in search for waves. I could'nt believe all the islands I've never known about. If I was to purchase one map in conjunction with nautical charts, it would be this one.

For anyone interested a critical look into Hawaii's colorful history this book offers a wealth of information about people and places which shape the Hawaii of today. A must read for the visitor and resident alike.If you want to know Hawaii, read this book.

I originally chose to read this book because I wanted to learn more about the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. I selected this book because of the title, imagining it would be a passionate work. I imagine it was a work of passion but the information didn't reflect it. I don't regret reading it and treasure the information gained by doing so. However, I would not recommend this book to someone who is new to the Hawaiian sovereignty issues.

This book was more concerned with relaying historical detail which did create a strong argument that Hawaii was attained immorally. The author did little of sharing his own opinion but rather reported more research of the quotes of others. This definitely serves a purpose and is valuable, but don't read it unless you are prepared for that.

The author's model was to base chapters on certain individuals who played a prominent role in the history of Hawaii and its annexation to the United States. This is often confusing because you read about someone way back at the beginning and then they are mentioned at the end of the text and you can't remember who they are. If anything this book has served to spark my interest further on the topic and I will look for another book to get a better grasp.

I bought this book as research for a project that I am doing concerning the life of Liliuokalani. Though the book doesn't add much to her story, it contains a wealth of information on the Hawaiian monarchy and the conspiracies that led to it's downfall. This is not an unslanted book. I think that the authors viewpoint is pretty clear throughout. But it is passionately argued and I think hard to refute.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about one of the great injustices of the American 19th century.

Recently I took a trip from Perth to Cairns by rail and this book was my primary source of information that helped me prepare my itinerary. I spent a few days in all major aussie cities on my way to Cairns. This guide helped me in two ways, first it helped me to quickly gather general information about particular place where I took a break and it's surroundings. Second, it helped me to narrow down day trips, sightseeings and walks (which are *plenty* to choose from local tourist kiosks in hotels, YHA...).
One thing that I didn't find in this book was enough tips for budget accomodation - if I didn't by an accident find the official YHA Australia web site I would never know how good this organization is in this country (at least compared with YHA in most part of Europe). So, if you need budget accomodation then certainly checkout YHA web site before booking any 'budget' places mentioned in this book.
Otherwise I can't say anything bad about the book, it does a good job covering all aussie states and I beleieve that the content will satisfy the adventurers as well as tourists.

I saw the book in the hands of one of your US tourists and at the quick look I had, I liked what I could see HOWEVER!!! the information on the area south of Hobart in Tasmania was sadly not only not good, it was in fact not there. As a tourist operator at Cygnet in S Tas I was disappointed - for me and the fact that some of your people would be possibly missing out on one of the nicest corners of our state.

"Adventuring in the Pacific" is the only book I've found, to date, that covers information about the South Pacific and Oceanic Islands from as far east as Tahiti in Polynesia, to as far north-west as the Northern Mariana's in Micronesia, covering many of the more remote or unfamiliar islands in between. The book contains a wealth of information that is vital to the traveler such as travel tips, length of stay considered adequate for each island, flora & fauna, native foods, and even important information about crime and health issues that may be encountered. Additionally, it includes an in depth look at the culture and history of each island. I would have preferred seeing more detailed maps, more weather information and pictures of the islands, but for anyone planning to visit or sail throughout the South Seas, or if you're just an island "buff" it is well worth the purchase.

No doubt interesting reading. Whether it's relevant... Well, yes, this could be great advice for those adventuring in the Pacific, but only with huge amounts of money which few of us have. Unless you have your own yacht(s) etc, you may be better off with one of the more 'conventional' travel guides.

Neil Sheehan adds a short addendum to his Pulitzer Prize "A Bright Shining Lie," one of the most interesting books out of the many written about this debacle. The primary locations of this book are Hanoi and the north and Saigon and south. Sheehan also takes a look into other places he spent time at as a journalist in the 1960s and 70s, and how they've transformed or changed, and/or haven't, up to 1990. He notes some relevant points from his previous book, including the prophetic Ap Bac battle that took place in the early 1960s.

He returns to many of the places of conflict and speaks with the people. His time in Vietnam and the relationships he had there had an enormous influence on him. His return seems to be a mix of catharthism and a quest for objective observation and curiosity. It should be up to a nation's own people to decide how to do things, but in one regard he could have been more critical and questioning of the policies of the post-1975 Vietnamese government. 100,000 people were sent to "re-education" prisons. Southern supporters and participants of the NVA (Viet-Cong) were forced out to be dominated by northerners: The communists were very repressive.

The title does make one wonder. "After the War Was Over," was written 14 years after the fall of Saigon. Another Vietnam "War" book? Not really, and that is good. It discusses the lives and conditions of those who participated in the drawn-out conflict from not just both, but the many sides that actually existed, and where these people are at today in their lives.

Some of the post-war communistic economic policies and later reforms were described, which are interesting. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, De Luan and the communists in Vietnam tried to collectivise agriculture. A proven disaster 50 years before in the Soviet Union, and then again in Maoist China. Collectivization was an outright failure in Vietnam as well. In addition to collectivization policies, the Northern Cadres forced the northern concept of central planning on the entrepreneurial South Vietnamese, which again, just simply doesn't work, being so contrary to human nature. It doesn't spur efficient production nor proper means of distribution of resources and goods. Did the Vietnamese communists learn anything? Yes, they did--after the fact. Now they claim to be the "first ones" to have departed (in 1986) from the moribund Soviet model. A patriotic communist Nguyen Van Linh, was reformist minded and his positions on policy within the government have labled him as the Vietnamese "Gorbachev." He had ideas that were considered by the post-75ers to be "right wing" or radical, but in the end he had their ear, showing some of the ways the South Vietnamese did things, which were objectively speaking, successful.

In this piece two cities are described, Hanoi and Saigon. Street addresses are mentioned and you can learn where significant happenings took place in both cities if you are going there. Many modern buildings, houses, and hotels are noted also. If someone is coming to Hanoi or Saigon, this book can be useful to learn about where things happened. I discovered that I work in the same building where the Pentagon press briefings called the "five o'clock follies" took place.

Some of Sheehan's coverage of Vietnamese history noted how the Vietnamese drove out the Mongols in the 13th Century, and have been invaded by the Chinese no less than 17 times prior to the 20th century. This book can be knocked off in a day.

This was not a completely balanced account of post war Vietnam. It is obvious the author was seduced by the Communist authorities when he visited Vietnam in 1989. I say that because when he talks of the effects of war on the south, he mentions the white terror of Diem without mentioning the red terror of the Viet Cong. The red terror targeted not military targets but teachers and bureaucrats. Sheehan does not mention that but Diem's terror campaign, which was mild compared to the red terror. Also when he talks of the 1963 coup against Diem, he terms it the American led coup. Again another fallacy since the coup leaderes had Washington's blessings, but was not led by Americans. Another small lie was the Cambodia invasion by Vietanm. Sheehan wants us to believe that Hanoi was not interested in dominating Cambodia. Most analysts would view this an incorrect statement. If you can read through Sheehan's opinions, it gives those interested in the war some perspective of what happened after the war. Caution is in order for Sheehan's opinions.

While Harry Pidgeon's feat of sailing around the world is exceptional, and his writing style clear and concise, he offers few insights into sailing or his life. The book is fashioned after Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around The World:" Or equally as likely, Pidgeon and Slocum were two men of a like mind. In any event, both men portray that 19th century reserve so characteristic of the Englishmen. Such reserve in the face of near scrapes with death maybe admirable, but it does not make for as interesting reading.

This book is special to me as it opened my eyes to the reality that anyone with a true desire to see the world can make it a reality. It sparked in me a desire to 'go cruising' which I will be doing this summer when I leave on a trip to circumnavigate the world by sailboat. I was inspired by Harry Pigeons' account of his voyage aboard the 'Islander', and I think you will be too.

Since the book was not available here in Australia for some reason, had to
order thru Amazon. The book did arrived in quick time. Thank you Amazon for prompt service.

Purchased for my parents, who found it fun and informative. Written in straight forward, easy-to-read language. They are still quoting from it.

Fabulous coffee table book. Makes you feel as though you've been to the Outback. Great photography - good writing

No, sorry, this is not a "coffee table" book, although it does have very nice photos and some well thought out adventure stories to share. For the most part this a short travel guide published by a freelance photographer. I highly recommend it if you are heading to the outback, and or you are wanting something with good photos to get an idea of what you are getting into. This book will not replace Fodor's, or another tourist guidebook, and it is not as good as the photo books by Ken Duncan, Penny Tweedie, or Peter Conrad.

Seven chapters cover these areas; 1. The Red Centre: Katajuta aka:The Olgas, Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Gorge Gill, Ormiston Gorge, and a few other spots are mentioned. 2. Tropical Outback: Cooinda, Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Gulf Country, and Burketown. 3. The North-West: Kimberly & Pilbara, The Great Kimberley Loop, Cockburn Range, Wyndham, Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Kununurra, Geikie gorge, Hamersley Range near Wittenoom, Hamersley Range, and few other places just touched on in the writing. 4. The Deserts: Simpson, Great Sandy, Tanami, Sturt, Great Victoria, and Gibson. Notes about the Gunbarrel Higghway, and the Canning Runs. 5. The Great Tracks: (stock routes) Birdsville, Australian railway line, and Oodnatta. 6. Flinders Ranges: (in South Australia) Bunyeroo Valley, Brachina Gorge, Arkaroola, and many, many places that get mentioned but not fully explored in the text. 7. Beyond the Black Stump; more or less a summary of everything that is "anywhere in the outback." Kind of an Aussie state of mind, that personal line that is crossed when you've reached "a place lying at the edge of a mythical horizon". In other words, you're not in Kansas anymore.

I appreciated that the author has included some photos of flora & fauna oddities such as a Perentie lizard, Paddy Melons, Brumbies, and desert Peas. Although many of the photos are of landscapes that you could find in a book about Australia's National Parks (yes the author has published one of those too) but felt that few of those photos, while very nice, are not anything I find stunning compared to other professional photographers works already in publication. I give this work three stars because it is o.k., kinda average, but doesn't leave you wanting to plan your next adventure the way other texts do.

This book was on our library's recommended reading list for 2nd-3rd graders this summer. We got it just before school started, and my daughter ended up taking it in as one of her "favorite books" to discuss with her 2nd grade class. She laughed and laughed when the frog started dribbling water back out ("ew gross!") and when all the animals had to scatter.

My son (age 8) was learning about the country of Australia in school and his teacher read them this book. He then had to express his thoughts about the book in the form of a shadow box. He expressed the "coolness" of the frog to drink all the water and the bright colors used in the book. He also thought that it was really neat in how they expressed him (frog) spilling all the water out once the two eels got entangled with each other and started to make different shapes which caused him to laugh and release all the water.

As the nineties ended Lonely Planet, Let's Go and the others forgot the market which created them and with greed in their eyes and discontent for the backpackers who had put food on the tables of their families and employees dramatically cut down on the destinations listed so you'd have to buy more specific guides. They replaced all but a few hostel listings (leaving ones who probably paid to be listed) with hotels (Lonely Planet has the most expensive Hotel in Australia, Palazzo Versace in their Gold Coast accommodation listings for crying out loud), fine dining and other useless information backpackers had no use for in an attempt to sell more guides to luggage wheeling short stay tour company travellers as well. They ignored cries of put back destinations and hostel listings from backpackers who wrote reviews on this and other sites such as Seethisplanet or sent letters to these companies and now they have paid the price. A great competitor has been able to enter the market (if the former guides had done their job there is no way there would have been market share for BUG) who just lists what we backpackers want, hotels listings and basic information on what there is to see at each destination.

The BUG guides are simple to read, a lot thinner, less bulky and heavy than their competitors (which makes a lot of difference when you have to lug the thing around an entire continent in your backpack) and much better value. They give a description and rating on each hostel (they claim they do not accept free nights or money however they actually contradict themselves in the Sydney accommodation section under Victoria Lodge by saying BUG weren't aloud inside which indicates they were letting the hostels know they were from a reviewing guide book so would obviously get the best beds and more effort would be put into service and cleaning the building or maybe they don't actually spend the night at the hostels but just say who they are and have a guided tour, who knows). As well there are maps and travel company information. The only criticisms I have are that they do repeat information from one paragraph to the next especially relating to trains and buses. Even though they do not accept payments for listings they do follow the larger marketing budget high profile companies for attractions. For example the more expensive Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is listed in the Gold Coast attractions but the much better and cheaper David Fleay Wildlife Park located at Burleigh (just up the road) is left out. But I'm sure they'll improve this over the next editions.

You obviously won't agree with all their reviews of the accommodation but that's the backpacking scene. You can have a terrible experience at somewhere where someone else had one of the best stays of their life. Don't rely on this guide alone, ask other backpackers who have been to the destinations you are going where they stayed and what it was like. The more opinions you get the more likely you are to get a clearer picture.

I thought that the guide contained some good information, especially if you want hostels. But, I found it difficult to read. I think that I still prefer Lonely Planet's guide.