Oceania Books

Overall the book is a great way to learn, or begin to learn, about the islands of the pacific. Although aimed at children it is still useful for readers of all ages.

i thought this was a good book for kids. it has the definition of some of the difficult words on the side of the text and has great art to complement the stories. but for someone from the islands, it was a bit dissappointing in that some of the legends were seriously augmented. granted, there are many versions of the same legends in the islands but not one that is so far from all the rest that they are hardly recognizable, save for the title. but overall, i found the book to be beautifully written and magical.

The legends and folk lore embodied in the culture and values of Pacific island peoples are showcased in Pacific Island Legends, a single, easy to read volume that is beautifully illustrated with the woodcut images of Connie J. Adams. Educators Bo Flood, Beret Strong, and William Flood have successfully collaborated to present forty-four legends from all over the Pacific, serving to provide cultural access that will be appreciated by scholars and non-specialist general readers alike. Pacific Island Legends is a highly recommended addition to any personal, academic, or public library multicultural myth, legend and folklore reference collection.

Frank Sherry works very hard to cover the first 250 years of European exploration of the Pacific and its lands, particularly the struggle to control the spice trade, the continual wars and battles fought over its control, the search for alternate passages from European waters to the Pacific, and the hunt for the mythical southern continent, Terra Australis Incognita. Chronicling Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English activities in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, it is ambitious and epic in scope.

Sherry paints a picture of continual hardship on the part of these sailors on voyages of exploration, trade, and warfare. Political infighting and miserly sovereigns delayed missions for years, or so underfunded them that they were doomed to failure thanks to decreipt ships, wormy food, or otherwise poor supplies. Leaders of expeditions were often chosen by the rulers of the various nations not because of sailing skill or some personal or professional trait that made them outstanding explorers, but because they were owed favors, were the darlings of various kings, or simply because they bought their way on. Time and again sailing expeditions broke down into infighting and sometimes outright mutiny when supplies ran low, there were disputes over leadership of a ship or expedition, when winds were poor, and/or when a mythical island failed to appear, either because it never existed in the first place or because the ships were woefully off course. Petty treachery and arrogance often poisoned relations with peaceful natives throughout the Pacific, resulting in suffering on both sides and inevitable European massacres of Polynesians, Melanesians, and Micronesians, or sometimes vice versa. Other times fairly peaceful European explorers and merchants were meant with extremely hostile natives and slaughtered, perhaps the legacy of previous visits, or in some cases due to local xenophobia and warlike ways. If one wanted to die old, exploring the Pacific was not recommended.

Sherry does a great job discussing the continual struggles to just get to the Pacific, of one nation trying to reach this world's largest ocean and its coasts and islands and avoid areas of Spanish, English, or other national domination. Much of these efforts relate to events and schemes in the Strait of Magellan and Tierra Del Fuego, and make for interesting though sometimes sad reading.

Much of the later parts of the book concern the struggle for finding and laying claim to the mythical southern continent, long thought to exist. It was almost painful to read about expeditons that either just missed Australia, or saw Australia and failed to realize it was the continent they were seeking. It appeared even when some did realize what it was, it wasn't the legendary paradise they hoped it would be.

My only real complaint about the book is that after a while reading about how so miserably so many explorers and expeditions turned about, about explorers languishing in port for years due to lack of funds, of ships stranded at sea with dwindling food and water thanks to lack of sufficient winds, of continual conflicts with islanders, it almost got depressing. One certainly can't acccuse Sherry of needlessly romanticizing the exploration of the Pacific. Perhaps it is just me though, but I found some of the continual hardship a bit tedious.

Still, this is a very good history book, one well worth buying.

Pacific Passions is a captivating story of the explorers who opened the Pacific Ocean to the western world. Frank Sherry paints a riveting experience as he puts the reader on the decks of Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Dutch ships on journeys to the Spice Islands, Australia, Tahiti, and countless other destinations. The author does a masterful job in recounting the human misery and self sacrifice associated with the age of exploration as well as the human triumph. By the last paragraph I was ready to set sail myself for my own adventure into the South Seas! I could not put the book down!

Frank Sherry's account of the European exploration and mastering of the Pacific Ocean is an excellent and well written work of history that has somehow been overlooked. Lovers of great tales of exploration and nautical history should seek out a copy. It is WELL worth the effort.

This book is greatly recommended for anyone who has some any remote interest in the personage of Queen Salote or who has any spark of interest in the region that she ruled.
The author, Elizabeth Wood- Ellem, takes an intricate look into the life of one of the world's last remaining monarchies. She further sheds more light on the decision making process that occurred during the late Queen's reign.
While the book is a comfortable read, it also gives the reader a glimpse into Tongan culture and the traditions that were so embellished by the Queen.

I sincerely recommend this book for all Tongans out there as well as those who are interested in discovering one of the most beloved Monarchs of our time. Queen Salote was not only a charismatic leader but also a progressive woman who brought Tonga to the forefront of the modern era by re-establishing its past. She restored the cultural pride of her people at a time when native cultures were suffering the ill-effects of Westernization.

This book will be a sweet recollection for those who were fortunate to witness her reign, and it will be a source of inspiration for younger generations who are seeking to learn about their themselves.

Truly, a remarkable book for a most remarkable person!

Tonga is a unique place in being the only Polynesian kingdom to maintain its culture and government through the colonial period that brought down similar cultures in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Queen Salote adds to this uniqueness by being the ruling queen of Tonga in the first half of the Twentieth Century, an era dominated by male chauvenism. This story of her life and reign provides a wonderful view into the culture and history of this island kingdom. For papalangi (the Tongan word for people of Western society) this is not an easy book because there is a lot of Tongan names, geneology, and customs necessarily involved in the biography of their queen. Yet the very things that make it difficult also make it a rewarding book to read. What makes the book most enjoyable is the portrayal of this marvelous woman who ruled Tonga for almost 50 years. She ruled without use of force during a time of dissent from rival nobles and emerged one of the most revered leaders in Tongan history. She convinced her British advisors of her ability to rule and her island adversaries that their independence depended on her rule. I can recommend this book without reservation to anyone interested in women's studies, international biography, Polynesian history, or British colonial history.

Purchased prior to our trip. Found it very helpful in planning, gave good idea what to expect esp. history on islands/traditions. Maps were accurate. Referenced many times while on vacation. Agree with other previous post...do not attempt to do cross island hike alone as it is not marked, Pa was an excellent guide. A visit to Atiutaki highly recommended. Spent 3 days at the Atuitaki Lagoon Resort...wish it would have been more.

Great little book. Lots of helpful info. Essential to really understand the islands. Arrived on time and lives up to the reputation of Lonely Planet.

My fiance and i were fortunate enough to holiday in the Cooks for 2 weeks in January 07. In the lead up to our trip i purchased this guide and studied it carefully. All the sections were well written and comprehensive. The history and environment section made for interesting background reading and helped to get an idea of life back in the old days as well as the current situation.
The section dealing with Rarotonga and its capital Avarua, as a whole was useful and the information (sights, accomodation, where to eat/drink and shop, other amenities) for the most part (95%) accurate - even prices more or less. We did a daytrip to Aitutaki and that section was also quite good. There were also sections on all the other Southern & Northern group islands but i cannot comment as we did not go to any of these. Still made interesting reading though. The maps were also accurate and well detailed.
One thing i would disagree with is attemting to do the main cross island hike on your own. It is possible but there are no signposts, and the trail itself is quite difficult to find and follow in places, not to mention quite treacherous and hard going in the wet season. We went with Pa a local guide and it was a wise decision as many people have been injured or worse attempting this hike.
Other than this, my main gripe is with actual construction of this book. The plastic coating on the cover started to peel soon after purchase and the pages are starting to come loose from the spine. All this without any heavy duty wear and tear. I think Lonely Planet need to increase their quality control and improve the construction of their guides so that they do stand up to more rigorous use, after all that's what they are for.

With a copy of this guide at hand, I've tried several times to read the whole thing front to back in order to digest all of the information and be able to come up with a coherent plan to visit New Zealand, but I find the writing dense and unentertaining. Perhaps the subject matter is difficult-- as a primarily outdoor destination, New Zealand may not lend itself easily to a list of places to see and things to do. Nevertheless, in despair at wading through this long but boring tome, I have ordered the Lonely Planet guides in the hopes that they will be more readable.

This first edition of the New Zealand Rough Guide has taken its place as the best overall travel book for the country. As with others in its series, this Rough Guide gives a thorough description of all the cultural and recreational aspects that a first time or a seasoned traveler "downunda" should know. For the basic information concerning accommodation or eating, the Rough Guide follows its practice of offering choices for every price level but it doesn't act as listing agent for each and every hostel, hotel, B & B or cafe. In that regard, the Rough Guides encourage the traveler to look for him or herself instead of following the standardized tourist formula.

But it's heavy on the activities for specific woderful areas like Kaikoura, the Otago Peninsula, Wanaka and many, many more. The color photographs are an appealing addition, also.

Just returned from a 21-day journey to Kiwi-country, and used the Rough Guide extensively. From Dunedin to Auckland, the book spells out excursions, accommodations and lifestyle samples in various price ranges better than most other guide books.

Format is simple to read, easy to find just what you need. We were turned on to some great motels and B&Bs, excellent eateries and a few adventure tours along the way. Maps of cities were quite helpful. Other books have prettier pictures, but this one does the best job of finding stuff to DO in NZ.

This review refers to the 2000 2nd Ed.

This book breaks Sydney into shopping districts that can be covered in an afternoon or a day. Brief descriptions are sufficient to get a feel for whether you would be interested in visiting certain stores, or even whole districts, so that you can more efficiently plan your trip. Hours of operation are included. Colorful pictures of the interior of stores and their merchandise are helpful, but a relative indicator of prices (like a 1 to 5 dollar sign system) would be extremely helpful. Also, mileage indicators on the maps would be a big plus.

Like any international city,Sydney has a wealth of retail outlets, but it never struck me as an intriguing shopping town until I saw this engaging guide. Grouping stores by neighborhood, Ms Matthews steers buyers beyond the Benettons and other international chains so they can make a beeline for the most unusual wares Sydney has to offer. Complementing Ms Matthews's snappy writing style are the crisp, almost tactile photos by Rupert Lorhaldar.

Many of the products on offer here are indigenous to Australia. There is an espresso bar where the handmade furniture you sit on is for sale, and a store specializing in anything made from Australian cotton, for example. Yet the book also tells you where to find the best French imports, Soviet memorabilia and Swedish designs. Among the 113 rather esoteric businesses to choose from are an upscale sex shop; a boutique of unusual buttons; a lounge where you can go with friends and a bottle of wine to make your own pottery; a bottled-water purveyor with 100 varieties; and a consignment shop for recycyled designer clothes.

Information on each store includes address, telephone and fax numbers and hours, but does not include prices. The latter are apt to change; besides, as in a store window, a lack of price tag can draw you into the store to ask. For richer or, more likely, for poorer, this fashionably slim book should accompany the acquisative to Sydney.

After the success of her foray into the clique that is Melbourne's shopping secrets, I was anxious to see how Michelle treated Sydney. Again, this formula delivers sensational results. Just how does she find these places? The little vignette on each store is certainly enough to get you through the door where the charm and uniqueness of the proprietor and her/his wares is sure to clinch the sale. Hot on the heels of the Melbourne edition, is this the niche retailer's answer to Lonely Planet? Like Steve Jobs and Apple, Michelle encourages you to think (and buy!) different. Even if you don't, she can take you to places you've never dreamed of. A great companion guide for Olympic visitors.

Slater's Field Guide to Australian Birds is one of the best Australian bird guides there are, running second only to the compact edition of Michael Morcombe's field guide with a similar title.

Strongly recommended for birders traveling to Australia who can only find this guide available from overseas.

I just returned from Australia and used this guide exclusively for bird watching in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne! It is easy to use, both logical and very informative. The paintings of each and every bird are exquisite and very, very accurate!

If you want a comprehensive and user friendly bird guide, this is THE ONE to get...It's lightweight, sturdy and an overall excellent source while out and about either in the city or in the Outback bush! FIVE STARS for this one...you will love it!!!

A really nice bird book. This is designed to be small enough to take around with you, and big enough that the pictures used for identification are actually usable for most people. In general, this field guide has struck a happy medium, and is quite a useful book to have for the bird fancier. A very handy publication.

In an alternative modern day Indonesia, a young apprentice called Adi and his master Empu are attacked by bandits known as hantumu. Empu is kdnapped and Adi is left to find a way to save him. He meets a young girl called Dewi whose father is the village healer and when he too is kidnaped, the pair embark on a journey to resuce them and obtain snow, fire and sword in order to rid the land of the evil tat si thratening to destroy it.

This book is slow to get going. Although the story move along fast enough, it takes a long whilebefore the haracters really bein to shine which makes it difficult to care what happens to them next. The book picks up about halfway through and although it will never a classic, it's an enteraining read.

I enjoyed the author's use of Indonesian myths and legends to tell the story. They're well woven into a modern day scenario and are told with a sense of mystical wonder. I also really ked the glossary at the back. if you read this book, I suggest you have a look at that first because the book is so uch more entertaining with that knowledge under your belt.

I think that is one problem with the book. Masson doesn't really spend much time explaining each and every concept and seems to presume you'll check the glossary if you're confused. Some authors have managed to tell the reader nothing and still written an absorbing story in which the reader picks it all up for themselves. Ms Masson doesn't quite manage it. The lack of info does hinder the flow of the story at first, but not to the point that you'd give up on reading.

The characterisation fell a little flat, though there were some shining moments throughout the book and at least each character and their own distinct personality, save for a few spirits. Both Dewi and Adi were likeable protagonists, though Adi was slightly more so. I wsh tey'd spent more of he book together and had a bit more of an emotional reunion but in reality, they did barely know each other and didn't go through the hardest times together so it stands to reson their most emotionalreunion was not between them. The ending scene with all the main characters, however, was fairly moving.

In general, I would call this book flawed but a decent enough read. Sophie has written much better books but I don't regret this purchase nor feel sorry for the paper it was printed on.

Adi is an apprentice to a master craftsman who makes kris, traditional swords imbued with spiritual power. He and his master are on a journey to deliver a new kris to the Sultan when his master is taken by hantumu, evil beings garbed all in black who ride motorcycles. (Nazgul on motorbikes?) Lying bound in a rice field, Adi is rescued by Dewi, the daughter of a dukun, a kind of healer or shaman. Dewi's father is also taken by the hantumu, and Adi and Dewi are charged by the spirits to find Snow, Fire, Sword and defeat the evil sorcerer that is plaguing the land. The spirits don't know what Snow, Fire, and Sword are, nor do they know who the sorcerer is. Together, Adi and Dewi set off on a quest to find Snow, Fire, and Sword and save the land. They are helped along the way by various beings, both human and supernatural, but in the end, Adi and Dewi must find the courage to stand up for all that is right and true.

Snow, Fire, Sword is a beautiful and mythic journey through an Indonesia that is a little bit mythical, a little bit modern, and a little bit fantasy. It's a world where the ancient spirits of Indonesian and Arabic myths coexist with motorcycles, helicopters and an absolutely-adorable slightly-supernatural car. The cover of the book sports a blurb from Lloyd Alexander, which seems appropriate, since the book reminded me a lot of some of Alexander's best, such as The Iron Ring and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.

Adi and Dewi are interesting and likeable young people. Dewi longs for adventure, but finds that real adventure is much harder than she expected. Adi is content with his life and loves his master; he is driven by a sense of helplessness and shame that he couldn't help his master when the hantumu took him, and is determined to save him this time. The story is exciting and filled out with a rich cast of wonderfully-envisioned supporting characters. I can't say too much without giving things away, but suffice it to say that this is a story of personal heroism and sacrifice on many levels.

The Indonesian and Arabic names of people and places made the book a little difficult to read at first for someone who isn't used to them, but after a while you adjust and the reading gets easier. It's well worth taking the time to adjust to the differences and get into the book.

For readers who enjoy fast-paced and surprising fantasy fiction, SNOW FIRE SWORD is a treat. It's an exciting story with a mixture of fantasy and the modern day. Its two protagonists, Adi and Dewi, are brought together when dark forces begin to terrorize their country, taking Adi's teacher and Dewi's father. Armed only with the knowledge that they can defeat the evil with the powers of snow, fire, and sword, the two children struggle to save their world from tyranny.

The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.

Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.

The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.

SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.

Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

I've been to French Polynesia using this LP. The guidebook was helpful (all places I've stayed in were found in LP). Contact information was correct and full. But somehow almost every emotion/opinion described in my LP never matched my own :) However, one would not invent a wheel by saying that French Polynesia is not a place where standard expectations for price/performance can be met.

All the information that you will need to travel through the South Pacific. Outstanding as usual.

I used this Guide to plan my travels in the Western Pacific and although it is a bit 'old' I found its information is still mostly up-to-date and really useful. Great tips that correspond to real places, foods and opportunities. Have already planned on several more Pacific islands using this guide's tips.

Very nice little book. Tells the truth regarding the overthrow. Would be very easy for children to read and understand. Beautiful old pictures

I appreciate Martha H. Noyes efforts in retelling the story of what happened to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. She has depicted much of what happened to my ancestors and their people. Mahalo nui loa! I do, however, agree with Mr. Llora that there is indeed blame being held, and as usual it is all about "Europeans, Americans and Whites". The Hawaiian people, like many indigenous peoples around the world, especially many of the Pacific Islanders, were isolated from the diseases, illnesses and sickness that people of Europe and Asia had. Certainly because of the exploration primarily and firstly by Europeans, whether British, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian or French, the first contacts were with Europeans and therefore the first diseases, venereal (from Tahiti), smallpox and influenza, that decimated Pacific Islanders, like the Hawaiians, were of European origin. However, as time went by and the Hawaiian people established a constitutional monarchy, guiding their way into the modern world as an independent, soveriegn nation and Euro-Polynesian country, a few "White Americans" illegally stole the country of Hawai'i. These elite non-Hawaiians then imported massive waves of foreigners, unabated and without a care in the world to the impact upon the Hawaiian people, primarly from Asia, especially Japan and China, but also from Portugal, with a few from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria and Prussia, who also carried with them their illnesses, diseases and sicknesses of which the already decimated Hawaiian people had no immunity to. The Hawaiians were further killed off by tuberculosis, influenza, Hansens Disease (from China), colds, fevers, smallpox (from San Francisco's Chinatown) and measles. Today, the descendants of the imported foreigners have outpopulated and supplanted the Hawaiian people and their descendants. In this world of warped political correctness, the facts, truth and authenticity of history and people are in danger of disappearing. As a hapa (of mixed blood), a hapa Hawai'i (part Hawaiian), as well as Chinese, Native American, European, English and British ancestry, I am tired of the same "facts of blame" being leveled at only one type of people as if "skincolor" or "race" is synonymous with "disease carrier" as in reference to the Hawaiian people, my people, my ancestors, my kupuna in my 'aina hanau of the Hawaiian Islands. It doesn't matter where the foreigners to Hawai'i's shores were from, they were human beings who brought disease that impacted the Hawaiian people, regardless of "race", "skincolor", ethnicity, nationality or origins. The fact remains that the Hawaiian people were devastated and decimated, and never had the chance nor opportunity to bring their country into the modern world.

*****
This small book is a beautiful gift book for those readers who have an interest in Hawaiian history and the Hawaiian people. On the left side of each page is a beautiful black-and-white photo, and on the right side a narrative, a quote, or poem that attempts to tell the story of the wounds of the people of Hawaii---a people who were robbed of their land and their culture---tragically.

The book does not attempt to be unbiased, but purports to put forth a point of view that has not typically been heard in the past---that of a people that were disenfranchised of so much, and the effect it had upon them.

This book is unofficially a companion to the DVD by Dr. Elizabeth Kapuuwailani Lindsey, by the same title, which tells a similar story via video rather than photographs and writing. Both the book and the DVD can stand alone, however, and each are different. The similarily is that both tell the story of the Hawaiians. The author of this book, Martha K. Noyes, was the producer and writer of the DVD as well.

The choice of photographs for this book is wonderful. I highly recommend it to all those who love Hawaii.
*****