Oceania Books

I can't help but want to show this book to everybody lately. Beautifully illustrated and edited, it is very holistic in every part of the topic that I could imagine; ancient navigation techniques, canoe construction, people's role in introducing the Polynesian pig to islands, maps galore, etc.

This book will increase your awareness of the loosely tied nation/interocean continent known as Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. Your mind will be boggled and awe inspired at the story of the exploration of the farthest, most remote reaches of the Pacific Ocean. The discovery and settlement of Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands and all points in between rivals man's greatest and bravest achievements in Space.

A must have.

This review is of the 2006 David Bateman publication which I purchased in New Zealand.

This collection of essays covers a vast topic in remarkable detail. Many of the authors explore their topics at a personal level, and almost all of the writing is engaging. It's not the easiest read, but it's also not easy to put it down and go to sleep. Besides, it's a beautiful book.

Anyone who knows a kiwi or has at least heard of one should read this book. A witty and insightful take on what makes New Zealanders so unique!

This book was a delight to read! It made me realise that a lot of my traits have a lot to do with being a kiwi and growing up in New Zealand!

It's also good for partners of kiwis and friends of kiwis who aren't kiwis! My husband was in stitches during points of the book as the author/s have mentioned and said things that often come out of my very own mouth..............

When you're away from NZ like I am, this book is a great little heart puller to make you giggle and understand why you miss my/our/this beautiful country so much...

A highly recommended book, well written, and very kiwi styled, being true and down to earth.

And of course you don't need to be a kiwi to enjoy this book, its great if your visiting NZ or just want to understand more about NZ culture.

Discover a new way to use five POWERFUL PARENTING TOOLS.

Are the kids always fighting?
Won't clean up their rooms?
Not doing their homework?
Standing for nothing and therefore falling for anything their friends say or do?
"Survival" parenting tries to fix these situation but often at the cost of children's self-esteem, sense of accomplishment, ability to make decisions, trust level and more.

"The 10 Greatest Gifts" offers a new approach to parenting tools.
At the same time, parents consciously choose to give their children lasting gifts of qualities, value and principles that can make the difference between a life of strength and joy or a future of pain and despair.

"Thoughtful, sensitive, intelligent parenting. Just the right blend of heart and head to get the job done. I highly recommend it."

---Nicky Marone, Author of How to Father a Successful Daughter and Women and Risk

"Steve Vannoy's 10 Greatest Gifts I Give My Children is MORE INFORMATIVE TO PARENTS than Dr. Spock or Sesame Street in helping children develop as self-directed and capable adults."

---David Hartenbach, Superintendent, Aurora Public Schools

[from the back of case cover]

i don't know how old the book was when i first read it. My dad owned it in Thai, my native language, and i remembered reading it when i was in 3rd or 4th grade.(about 12 years ago) It's really impressive and full of imagination and creativity. I remembered my feelngs when I was reading it...it's probably the most enjoyable book i ever read. It's perfect for any child because imagination is a part of our lives...no one should lose that ability...and for the kids...it can show them how fascinating a book can be. I love children's literature and this book is recommended. Unfortunately i lent it to a friend and never got it back...

This is a beautiful coffee table book. If you want travel information, buy a travel guide. But if your favorite part of travel guides is pictures, then this is the book for you! It's large, hardcover, well-bound, with thick, glossy pages.

There's a lot to do in South Australia: so much that it deserves a book of its own separate from just a generic travel guide to the entire country - and Adelaide & South Australia serves just this purpose, allowing the visitor to focus on the region's many offerings. Excellent small maps accompany clear descriptions of accommodations, eating, sightseeing, and natural wonders. With its information-packed pages, it's a 'must' for any destination-oriented traveler planning a visit to the region; especially for those seeking more depth than the usual Australia-wide coverage can offer.

Once upon a time, a transatlantic crossing was literally a rite of passage for the world's elite. This book captures the rich history of Cunard and is a must read for everyone who loves the sea and/or cruising. Lose yourself in page upon page of period imagery.

Faletua Ala'ilima has done it again, contributing a work that provides a great deal of historical insight while captivating the reader's interest. This well-researched effort chronicles the life and changing times of one of Samoa's well known characters, weaving a rich narrative that touches on colonial times and the rise of modern Samoa. Like her other book, "My Samoan Chief," Ala'ilima's understanding of Samoan culture and her sense of humor provide a delightful treatment of indigenous life in the modern era. Her works are important in their own right and for the information they provide on Samoan culture, a topic with very little quality writing to date. This book is ideal for anyone wanting to know about Samoa specifically and the changing political and economic situation of the South Pacific generally.

A very delightful overview of nature's destruction of a portion of Kalapana on the Island of Hawaii. The photography captures the essense of the destructive force loosed by the erupting volcano as well as the beauty of the flowing lava.

The "read" matches the photography making the book well worth the asking price.

The American Express Travel Guide of Amsterdam (1992), written by Derek Blythe, has been re-written by Carol Winkelman and re-published as Travel&Leisure: Amsterdam (1997). Travel&Leisure magazine, in conjunction with Macmillan Travel, designed this new version of the book for a larger audience that includes young travelers, budget travelers, babyboomer travelers, discriminating travelers, and business travelers. The new book is a combination of traditional and offbeat travel guide, helping the reader find his/her way to hotels, restaurants, museums, and historical sites while also taking him/her "inside" Amsterdam to experience its cafe culture, lively arts scene, and famous nightlife. The new book, like The American Express Guide, includes an excursion to Rotterdam that leads the reader from the historic to the ultramodern.