Oceania Books

The Global Studies series is a great way to get a general overview about a region of the world and its quick history. Each country is divided up into a quick overview of demographics, trade, economics, population and other pertinent data similar to a scaled down CIA world fact book. There is then a general overview of each country and how it has played its part in the region with a particular focus on World War II to the present. Finally there are about 24 articles in this one that focus on all sorts of different aspects from the region. They address everything from gambling opportunities in Macau to population control in Japan. Overall this book does an excellent job of capturing the Pacific Rim and the countries that reside there. It is a great start to learning about the region and provides an overview that will give you a focus to direct further investigations. If you are just getting started on this area of the world as I am you will find it an invaluable resource.

Book was new and just as described. Good information regarding Japan's history and economy as well as good information on countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

I have just taken delivery of this volume and have been unable to put it down. This book is a wealth of information. Beautifully bound and boxed it is printed on the finest paper I've seen in a book like this. H.M. Bark Endeavour is not for the budget conscious. However, having owned it for just one day it is obvious the time, effort and the passion the Author has poured into researching this volume, right down to reproducing a comprehensive set of drawings of the actual ship. For anyone interested in maritime history, shipbuilding (including modelling) or even geography, I think this book is a must.

I found this in a book shop for AUD$120. One of those moments in life when you have the opportunity to purchace a masterpiece. re-released in 1999, it comes in two large books, one full of large plans in a folder, all deserving of framing. The log of this vessel is included in the second part, from its' inception, construction, crew and history of the journey that mapped the east coast of Australia. If you ever wanted to make a wooden ship model of a truly amazing vessel in a time of adventure equivilant to any Wilbur Smith, this is all you will need. It could never be surpassed, as the author is obviously one of those men who is truely dedicated to his art. The anatomy of the ship series should be so good!

Like the title says, this is my favorite Hawai'i collection of stories. It manages to give many perspectives on the beauty and mystery of this chain of islands. If you're traveling to the islands, this is a great way to start to imagine the place you're going.

This is more of a suggestion for reading rather than a review: read the book from beginning to end because the editors have done a splendid job of organizing the essays to present a coherent and colorful view of Hawaii. I don't know of a better contemporary look into what has attracted tourists to the islands since the first Polynesians arrived. While not exactly a travel guide, it is a map for how one might travel. As a cultural anthropologist, I enjoyed hearing the many voices telling the stories of this Pacific crossroads. The book belongs to the best tradition of the Hawaiian impulse to talk story.

Drawing upon their rather impressive expertise, Robert Cribb (Senior Fellow, Australian National University, Canberra) and Audrey Kahin (Managing Editor of Southeast Asia publications at Cornell and editor of the journal "Indonesia" from 1978 to 1995), provide students and non-specialist general readers alike with a comprehensive compilation of people, places and events in the social, political, religious, and economic history of the tropical archipelago that is Indonesia (Asia's third largest country in both population and geography). Now in an updated second edition, Historical Dictionary Of Indonesia pre-sents its wealth of in-depth researched information in easy-to-look-up alphabetical entries, from "adat" (indigenous customary laws) to "Zeven Provincien, mutiny of the" referring to the ill-fated 1933 protest aboard the Dutch naval vessel De Zeven Provincien. Supplements include several maps, lists of common acronyms for easy reference, appendices that list governors and rulers, electoral performance of the parties from 1945 to 1999, and much more. An all-around excellent, easy to use general reference.

First of all, many thanks to Scarecrow Press for its Asian Historical Dictionary series. These are fantastic references.

This volume is now eclipsed by the new edition. Haven't yet seen the new edition, but I anticpate many updated and new entries since the 1990-92 work done on this still-useful resource.

This is not to say this book is perfect. For a country as abbrevation- and acronym-dependent as Indonesia is, this abbreviation/acronym list is woefully inadequate. This being said, a comprehensive abbreviation/acronym listing is not practicable as acronym dictionaries available in Indonesia are themselves hundreds of pages long. What is needed is a much more in depth compilation, edited for use primarily by foreign students and scholars.

The map section is also disappointing. For a reference costing as much as this does, the maps should be full-color glossies, better annotated, and more detailed. The best solution would be fold-out maps to best show the detail that is needed to complement such a fine reference.

The dictionary portion is excellent, very well cross-referenced, with thorough entries for each item. The numerous appendices are also superb, with leadership and governmental ministers listings for the colonial period as well as the post-revolution period.

The true gem of this dictionary is the 118-page bibliography, listing other references and bibliographies, works sorted by discipline and subject, as well as important periodicals and journals.

This has been and will continue to be an indispensable part of my Southeast Asia/Indonesia collection. Although overtaken by the new edition, this is an unparalleled reference, an essential tool for the Indonesia student and scholar.

This book has some great vintage pics in it. My only complaint is that some of these photos are racey and caution must be adheared before laying this book on the coffee table. It would of showed the hula customs even without all the bare-breasted shot that are very unsuitable for many folks ,young and old alike. Besides that this book captures a lot of old (pre WWII)shots that you arn't going to find elseware.

"ENJOY" Joe Kopeck

This is a great book about the Haitian Revolution it is different essay about this revolution impact on other nations in the Atlantic World. It not only gives various historians thoughts and ideas but a more rounder view of what this revolution really did for the atlantic world.

Like most of the recent work of David Geggus, this book provides a good frame work and introduction for a much-needed academic study of the Haitian Revolution and it's world-wide impact.

if you are moody, cause winter is around, then you have to read this book, you will feel the sun, ocean breez, friendly people, more than your expactation. even I only have chance to read in Chinese version, but I can feel so touching and travel with the writter at same time, such as flying through storm and leave my heart on those beautiful south pacific Island. so, please sit tight, relax, and go......

Thanks for Gavin Bell for introducing me to Robert L. Stevenson. This book is so fasinacting. Everytime I read this book, I feel like I am surrounding by the ocean, palm trees, moonlight, friendly people...How much I wish I could be there. I don't have money to go there but Mr. Bell satisfies my dream. Now I start to get into Robert L. Stevenson. I have recently read a book about Fanny Stevenson, she is such an incredible woman. Now I am reading In Search of Tusitala in Chinese, I have been looking the English version and I have not found it yet. I hope it will be reprinted soon. If you have not read this book, you are missing a lot.

If you read only one "South Seas" book from the 1920s back, this should be the one. This Penguin issue corrects a number of inaccuracies from previous editions, including Stevenson's own error in their departure date (!) It is the classic travel and observation book of the Pacific. The early descriptions of the Marquesas are unmatched, as are the accounts of the several islands they visited in Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). The account of Tem Binoka will give you a real eye opening into an absolute ruler and his ways in the late 19th century. Reading this could start a life long interest in Pacific literature.

In his book, In the South Seas, Stevenson gives an accurate and in depth look into the people and culture of the islands of the South Pacific. The book describes Stevenson's two year journey from the Marqueses Islands, to Tahiti, then Honolulu ,and finally Somoa. Stevenson uses the great adventures he experienced and his masterfully writing skills to paint a breath taking view of the islands and thier many beauties.

This book offers important insights into the debate about reciprocity. Weiner provides a great discussion of related social theory besides introducing her insights about reciprocity. An important book.

Annette Weiner does an amazing job with this book. For anyone interested in social relationships and economics, this book is for you. She reinterprets age-old anthropological data (upon which most current anthropology is based) with an entirely new focus. Rather than reciprocity being the foundation of society, the paradox of "keeping-while-giving" is what defines our social and economic lives, our histories, and our ancestries. She's bold and amazingly intelligent -- good work Annette!

Very nice guide book that was easy to carry during our travels. Plenty of information for the price and size. Highly recommend.

The publisher has the bad habit of hiding the names of authors of their compact guides, let me rectify this:

The guide was written by Nicholas Cobb, the splendid color photography was provided by Tim McKenna.

On mere small 121 pages, Cobb's book provides the essential information about the (tragic) history of Tahiti and about the contemporary marvels of its nature, attractions and the hospitality.

McKenna's photography is magnificent and its value cannot be underestimated: Compared to the black and white photography in books from Lonely Planet and Moon Handbooks, with their sometimes abysmal print quality, this travel guide really shines. In its photographic valors and in the quality of print Insight Guides match the best of the breed, including the Eye-Witness DK guides. The charts and maps of the islands are also in color. Without clutter, they really depict well only the important details of interest for a short time visitor.

Of course, 121 pages cannot contain all the information which you might find in David Stanley Tahiti Moon Handbook, thus I would suggest to take Stanley as the primary source of information. However, considering the moderate price, this guide is a most welcome extension and a "must have!" It is current, 2005 edition, compared to 2003 editions of others. Foremost, currently this is probably the only guide about Tahiti written after Marlon Brando passed away. Somehow I do not like to read about a dead person in 'present tense'...

My only regret is that Insight does not provide a larger version of this guide! Maybe they will, I will grab it as well!