Oceania Books

A very interesting book and I still dont know what to make of it - you would have thought that Sharkey won the falklands war on his own (and the squadron).
This is especially confronting when reading other books like Vulcan 607 and other historical books that attribute very little to the harrier force -especially on CAP and ground attack.
In saying that it is probably the best book on understanding how the task force operated it's air cover and covers some of the "politics" of being in the task force

Like him or hate him, Sharkey is a colorful figure. The book makes very interesting reading although its seems a tad biased in favor of Sharkey.... in my humble opinion!

Sharkey immerges the reader in the world of sea harrier before and during the Falklands war. The book is well written, being both precise and exciting. It depicts with maestria the tactics and technics of naval air warfair as seen from the deck and from the cockpit. It also describes all the hassle of interservice rivalries (mainly between the navy and fleet air arm, and RAF and Navy).

Sharkey's tactical points of view are convincingly explained and supported by real cases. However it seems definitely one-sided (Sharkey himself admit it) and I guess I should read another Falklands war story as seen from the Navy or the RAF (although it seems they were not really present on the battlefield) point of view.

In summary, this a good book in which you will learn a lot about modern air warfare and carrier-based operations.

Commander Ward led the Royal Navy's 801 Sea Harrier squadron against the Argentinean Air Force during the 1982 Falklands War.
Apart from his vivid writing and fascinating descriptions of combat, his in-depth involvement in the development of the Sea Harrier as a weapons platform (he was director of the program) lend the book even more credibility and interest.
Extraordinary too are the facts about the contrasting abilities of the two Sea Harrier squadrons involved. 800 squadron, embarked in the flagship, were far less capable at air combat due to their inability to make the most of the Sea Harrier's avionics package.
The force commander too, seems to have been less than understanding of the capabilities of the aircraft.
Finally Commander Ward comments with great candour on the politics of the Royal Navy and Airforce and the reluctance with which the success of the Sea Harrier was accepted.
Altogether an intriguing book on all levels - the detailed descriptions of combat; the development of the Sea Harrier; the idiocy of Whitehall bureaucracy.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Falklands conflict or indeed in modern air combat.

Lt Com. Ward has written a fascinating and honest memoir about his participation in the Falklands War of 1982 and he reveals many interesting details of the action there. He was the CO of 801 NAS, equipped with Sea Harriers and based on the brand new carrier "Invincible". Half the book is decoted to the prewar months, when Ward and his pilots were preparing for combat in a most professional way, absolutely dedicated to their duty and doing their utmost for proficiency in the air. Despite some teething problems of the Sea Harrier, they expertly managed to take the most out of the Blue Fox radar, they practised night missions and strikes and they explored the innermost secrets of the close air combat. As a result, 801 NAS was a tremendous outfit in 1982, having beat US Aggressors 27-10 and F-15s 7-1! Ward does not imply that there was no anxious moments during the actual campaign and in many cases praises the Argentine pilots for their curage and flying skill which was really breath taking! Superior tactics and weapons (i.e. AIM-9L all-aspect missiles) won the day for the British but there are also some bitter battles to be won against the bureaucracy and the Navy people who didn't know or didn't care to learn about the Sea Harrier operational abilities and liabilities. Ward faced opposition many times and he even clashed head-on with his immediate superior but he preserved his integrity and proved that wars are won by a different kind of people than those who teem the corridors of peace-time military hierarchy. His visit to the Falklands after their liberation produced some very interesting notes and the insulting behavior of the RAF against this war hero with three air-to-air "kills" is extremely frustrating. The book has some nice black and white photographs in two sections, three diagrams of particular air engagements (Sea Harriers against Mirage III and Pucaras on 1 May 1982 and against Daggers on 23 May) and an appendice of air combat fundamentals for the layman. Highly recommended!

hmm...
You really need to read this book, its awesome! lol
Im not kiding... The characters are real and I promise you will relate to these characters!!!
I love it and you need to tooo!!!

Robert Corbet's first serve into the literature world Passenger Seat, lets face it was pretty average, and that's being nice. He didn't give up though and has picked up the ball and continued his career match and hasn't just written a book that is good with his second literary serve but is in fact an ace. For those of us who have also read his third book Shelf Life we know that he now knows how to hit the writing ball properly and that Fifteen Love wasn't just a fluke.

Fifteen Love is the story of two fifteen year olds who have noticed each other at school but have either been too afraid to approach the other or don't want to upset their social standing. It is cleverly written in a style that jumps between the narrative of Mia and Will for each paragraph in the same style spectators near the net in a tennis match have to keep switching their vision back and forth between the two ends of the court to where the action is. A very entertaining light read.

"Fifteen Love," by Robert Corbet was a great book. I enjoyed every thing that was in it, from the tearful tragedies to the jokes and the comedy. Once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. The way Corbet blends humor with sadness, confusion with sanity is just remarkable. This is a story of two teenagers who like each other, but are confused and hurt by the world around them, and don't feel ready for many things yet.
As the book starts, it gives Mia's and Will's thoughts, formed like a diary. The reader can feel the heaviness of the troubles in their families. Mia's dad is having an affair and she doesn't want anybody to find out. Will's brother is in a wheelchair, and his parents are pressuring Will to become a tennis star. Mia's friends are the two most popular girls in school and yet she is so different from them. Will is lonely and confused with his life.
Later, Will invites Mia to a tennis match where he will be playing, just as friends, but he hopes for something more. Mia doesn't feel ready for a boyfriend, but she does like WIll, and is not sure of herself. She arrives, but has forgotten her glasses and can't see that he is on the tennis court, so she is annoyed and thought that he stood her up. She goes home, but on the way, she sprains her ankle. The next morning at school it's announced that Will has won his state championship tennis match and is a tennis star. He becomes popular and Mia thinks he is immature and shallow like all the other boys.
After many run-ins with each other, they stop talking to each other for a while, and Mia's friend, Vanessa goes after Will. Since she's popular and he wants to get Mia jealous, Will and Vanessa go to a party together. Mia goes too, and sees them together. She is very depressed and sad. Later, Mia and Will run into each other outside of school, and finally have a long talk.
It is a remarkable book and touches the heart of anyone who has experienced those things, and most have. I recommend it to anyone who is confused, needs to relive moments of his or her coming of age, or anyone who needs a good book.

Corbet serves up a light contemporary romance that focuses on the difference between guys and girls, only to discover they have common insecurities. Mia Foley, a quiet and pretty violist, begins falling for tennis player Will Holland just as he is starting to fall for her. Narrative volleys from Will to Mia as they move from superficial stereotypes to distinct personalities.
There humor plus romance style may appeal to fans of Sonya Sones and Ron Koertge, although the writing and themes are not as mature.

Will and Mia make more mistakes on their path toward love than Shakespeare characters. FIFTEEN LOVE will drive readers crazy with its near misses and crossed signals. There is even friend and family interference to keep the two main characters apart.

FIFTEEN LOVE provides a good picture of a boy's point of view about crushes and dating, even if the girl's side is less interesting. The book flip-flops between the two points of view, making them seem even further apart. Author Robert Corbet has a great male character in Will --- believable, vulnerable, human. But Mia is less likable. She does not seem like a three-dimensional girl with deep feelings. For example, Mia learns that her father is unfaithful. She commits an act of vandalism in retaliation, but the effect is muted.

Sometimes minor characters steal the stage. At times, Will's brother Dave is more interesting than the two main characters. Dave becomes a paraplegic after hitting his head on the bottom of a swimming pool four years ago, at age 9. He and Will battle over things Will can do that Dave wants to do. Dave gets jealous over Will's social life and gets involved in the drama over Mia. There is no easy solution to this problem, and readers will care about how the two brothers sort through their relationship.

Social misunderstandings happen to everyone, especially in high school. Readers may care enough about some characters to stick it out to the end through this tangled story, but it's a bumpy ride.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

I actually bought 4 different guide books to plan my trip Down Under. I ditched 3 of them almost immediately because Frommer's format was easier to read and locating appropriate information quicker. The advice on suggested tours was especially accurate; the boxed information warrants a second (or third) look - Frommer's never steered us in the wrong direction. Take the price information with a grain of salt as seasoned travelers know that pricing can and will fluctuate.

Don't buy any other guides - relax and enjoy your trip. Aussies are the most laid-back, patient crowd on the planet. It's an amazing country!

My life partner and I found Frommer's Australia powerful...entralling...a ferociously well-paced entertainment! We found ourselves knee deep in quicksand and this book, I kid you not, saved our skins. I mean literally! But all in all we found it a smart, craftsman-like, viscerally compelling guide, eh.

I actually bought 4 different guide books to plan my trip Down Under. I ditched 3 of them almost immediately because Frommer's format was easier to read and locating appropriate information quicker. The advice on suggested tours was especially accurate; the boxed information warrants a second (or third) look - Frommer's never steered us in the wrong direction. Take the price information with a grain of salt as seasoned travelers know that pricing can and will fluctuate.

Don't buy any other guides - relax and enjoy your trip. Aussies are the most laid-back, patient crowd on the planet. It's an amazing country!

Our group of six friends just returned from a two week trip to Australia. We did much planning ahead of time using this guide. It was so helpful that even our travel agent was impressed with the information we could give her about our plans to travel by plane, car, and train. Information about each of the cities we visited was right on the money. We stayed in some of the hotels recommended and ate at some of the restaurants. With the information we had ahead of time, our trip went very smoothly. Practically everytime anyone had a question regarding just about anything in the area we were visiting, I just grabbed the book and had the answer.

I went to Australia this summer (or their winter), and I took this book along with me. I read the book on the plane, and it seeemed helpful, but once I got there, I realized the book was lacking. First off - a lot of the places that were discussed in the book (specifically hotel rooms) were grossly misquoted on price. Secondly, the section on Melbourne (where I spent most of my time) I felt was inaccurate and the listing for hotels was extremely small. And the places listed were not very good places either in that they were either too small (and required MONTHS of advanced booking) or were too expensive for the average traveller. I found the Lonely Planet Guide to be much better and more helpful, giving the reader a more objective view of available hotels and eateries. I found a dozen or so inexpensive places to stay and eat that should have made the book. Even the Sydney section (where I also spent some time) was not very good, and the book was too Sydney-centric to be of much use to someone moving about the country. It's obvious that the writers of the book couldn't see beyond Sydney and New South Wales. Hopefully future additions will be more balanced.

I have been studying Hungary for over a decade and this book was still able to introduce new insights to me. An easy read and it came off more as a novel than a history book. It just flowed. What's more, I know some Hungarian historians and I found the book excellent fodder for cocktail conversations.

Stlyistically this book is palatable to the novice historian who's looking for something beyond "the facts". The author successfully entertains the reader with a melodic progression through the history of a former transient,esoteric, people from outside the bosom of europe. Using the natural tendency of everyone to root for the underdog the reader is lead with elequent prose to read through the successive chapters hoping for the proud and stalwart Magyar to be vindicated with victory only to be denied--but, its history.
"Victory in Defeat" is used often by the author revealing how the history of the Magyar was defined not so much by themselves but by their neighbors. From the defeat of these horseback raiders by the Germans more than a thousand years ago forceing them to leave their hunter gatherer past and accept a agrarian existence, to the crushing defeat under the unstopable juggernaut of Stalins USSR, these people have been forged into a community of realists with the spectre of "what could of been" standing on their souls. Subjugated by no less then the Germans and Turks, and defeated by the Russians at two crucial points in time its ironic that the author reveals that the darkest days of Hungary were not under the heel of a foreigner but from a Hungarian of Jewish decent in the communist post WWII days. Its odd that the author seems critical of the few times in its history Hungary persued a self propagating ideal, especially in the Magyarization period during the later half of the nineteenth century and the nationalistic "Horthy" years.
I think this book falls short in two places. First, it follows a contemporary line of seeing history through the eyes of the most famous and or privlidged personalities of the times they lived which can be a deceptivly narrow perspective, though it can make a more dynamic read. It was refreshing when the author did elucidate the commoners lot during significant periods in Hungary's history, but not enough for my liking. Of course the farther back in histroy the author reaches the harder it is to gauge the average mans life due to lack of info but it should really be the foundation of any historical accounting. Secondly I came away unsatisfied that the Hungarian history is properly expressed due to the fact that a Magyar perspective is relayed from non Magyars of either German or Jewish decent. At the end of the book the author lists a number of persons who left Hungary and made significant contributions to the many sciences but often revealed their non Magyar decent. Thus I can only come to the conclusion that only a true Magyar could relate what is and what is not Magyar and who is and who is not a succesfull Magyar. This book is definatly worth the price and worth owning. But I'd suggest reading as many Hungarian historical books as thier are availabe to gain a rounded view of this elusive people's culture history.

I often wondered why Hungary and Hungarians have such poor public relations, particularly in the US. Unfortunately, this book fails to answer that question. It is a fascinating read, if only because it gives, (in parts) a refreshingly different perspective. In others, unfortunately, the Communist-era interpretation of the author's sources is painfully evident. The many details in the narrative are interesting, partly because the selection of the details reveals the author's biases. There are a number of translation errors I found in the book which naturally led to faulty conclusions. P.e. "Honved"(seg)(hon=home, vedni=to defend) is not the militia, it's the standing army. "Nemzet orseg," (nemzet=nation, orseg=guard) is the militia. All in all however, it was worthwhile to read through the book. It will lead those, who are not familiar with the Magyars to some understanding of the background of this nation although will leave them feel shortchanged in understanding their psyche. I sent a copy of the book to both of my (adult) children together with a 16 page commentary.It is a laudable effort on the part of author Lendvai and by and large I believe it will benefit the Hungarians' image as well.

This book is a well rounded look at a thousand year old country.
It not only tells the story but gives the flavor of people and the times they lived in.

I only regret that the length of the book limited the author in the amount of details he could include.

Hungarian history is largely omitted from college-level courses, at least as a focus on its own: European journalist and television commentator Paul Lendvai corrects this omission with The Hungarians: A Thousand Years Of Victory In Defeat, a comprehensive focus on the Hungarian people once known in Europe as 'huns'. Hungarians became defenders of the Christian West and fought many freedom battles: The Hungarians traces their many achievements, their country's changing history, and how the Hungarians have survived as a people against all odds.

This is an excellent book, which I really recommend to buy! It contains all the information required to emmigrate, live and work in Australia. Is written in a friendly language and has several useful websites and phone numbers. If you are thinking of emmigrate to Australia or you are already living there, this is the book for you!

We are looking to migrate to Australia and wanted to do our research. This book gives practical information on everything from visas to schools to jobs. It gives lots of useful facts that will help anyone looking to move to Australia - such as your drivers license is generally accepted for up to one year, you don't have to get a new one until then! Info on car insurance, cable and phone companies, bus routes, ferry service, PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES! This is THE book to get if you are going to be moving to Australia or visiting long term. Hands down.

I moved to Australia from Israel, and this book was of great help.

Cultural idiosyncrasies are explained to minimise "culture shock", and possible problems are not avoided (despite the fact that the book is associated with a migration agency as I understood). I'ld say that sometimes the warnings are more like disclaimers, but I guess better safe than sorry. "To do" lists are used where applicable - great help when you're in a new environment thinking what to do next.

Another major "pro" is that this book is not just for people from UK or US or other Anglo-Saxon background. The author takes a generic, explain-it-all approach.

One thing which I think the author should change is the migration section. This is the reason I didn't give it 5 stars. This is no author's fault, of course, but the migration laws in Australia are changing at lightning speed - so there is no point to depict them in such detail. Furthermore, as much of the information in that section was hopelessly obsolete already in 2004 (for 2004 edition), it is plain misleading. Future readers - consult official sources instead, but for the rest, you can safely rely on this book.

Otherwise, I couldn't think of a better source of information.

Having read a number of publications of similar approach I must admit this one's outstanding. The information provided is not only considering almost every single aspect of living in Oz, but most important: it's (imho) spot-on and even pretty much up-to-date. David's writing is fun and easy to read and I would recommend this book to everyone on the move down under.

I bought this book when I found out that my company had actually agreed to transfer me to Australia ... but they were giving me very little help in what to expect. This book is not a "travel" guide. It's a practical guide on how to settle down in Australia - things like, how to get a drivers licence, where to apply for a tax file number, even how to do a hook turn in Melbourne. It has never steered me wrong, and I've recommended it to many expat friends.

A must-have if you're thinking about moving there.

This book is a great introduction to Madagascan Wildlife - it gives a breakdown of the main National Parks and Reserves and what you are likely to see at each. Another section provides (limited) details of the Madagascan fauna. While I would have liked some more detail, for the price and size it is a fantastic introductory guide.

Fabulous, novice handbook! Great photographs with basic but very purposeful text. My only problem is the owner of the "hotel" in Andisibe, down the street from the main restaurant, enjoyed the book so much I felt compelled to give it to him as a gift!

What it lacks is maps where to find each animal. Layout of the book is a little bit confusing (pictures are put on pages in chaotic manner) but otherwise a good book. It does what is supposed to: inform about different animals species, not only mammals. There is nothing better on the market right now.

I am planning a trip to Madagascar and found this book a very helpful review of the various parks in the country. The photos are excellent and the discussion of the various mammals are readable but provide enough information to be interesting. This is not a technical book on either mammals or ecosystems, but is a good review of both. Perhaps I was looking for too much from this book, but I would have liked more maps and a bit more guidance on how to combine trips to different ecosystems in one trip. I combine it with the Lonely Planet and can cobble together the information, but it requires quite a bit of work. I also liked the sections on reptiles and insects - many books neglect the little creatures, which can be far more interesting than mammals in some ecosystems. Overall highly recommended.

This book is certainly very pretty, with excellent photographs.
It is also thin and light-weight, and does cover a little bit of everything: habitats, recommended sites to visit, mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
As such, it is an inspiring read, and probably the best single-volume book to carry for those who only have a superficial interest in Madagadcar's unique wildlife.

However, for more serious naturalists the information it offers is far too limited. Even mammals, the best detailed group, are only discussed down to genus level, neither mentioning nor illustrating all or even most species. Birds receive a token coverage of 10 pages, and reptiles fare little better.
Even the descriptions of nature reserves can be found in the more recent, excellent and complete field guides like the Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide which actually tells you where to spot every single species separately, and the similarly brilliant Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands which not only covers all the birds of Madagascar, but those of neighbouring islands too, along with recommended birdwatching sites. Fans of herpetofauna should try and get hold of A Field Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of Madagascar.
If you buy any of the above field guides, you will find this book a waste of money - I did.

This novel is by far the most fascinating novel I have ever read.
The background stories alone make it worth reading. Plus, as an Indonesian, I felt obligated to read the novel.
It was a very good read. Solid plot with a very unconventional ending. A masterpiece indeed.

One can say that this work is a small man's grudge against hsi former employer.

But one cannot really sunstantiate such a point. Even if he did write it as a kick to the boss's shin it still is a major work.
Apart from the message which was and sadly still is and perhaps increasing issue in this world, it is magnificently told.
Perspective in perspective tell you in often as much as four layers and thus four filters the point the writer is stating.
As stated above by a more undoubtedly more learned reader, his technigues of argument are simply brilliant and any scholar should read this book just to brush up his essay writing.
Finally, his way with words is just dragging you through this novel in a way I've only seen Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde come close to.

p.s. Note to the guy above, did you happen to know that Multatuli indeed lived many years in poverty because of his believes, that when he became a succesful writer he dropped the pen after realising people only read his work and didn't act on it.
Living his last years as a recluse in Germany, bittered, and hopeless, instead of cashing on his succes.

This book is one of the most important books of Dutch literature. The writer combines humour, emotion and facts. The book has a complex structure, without making it difficult to read, an outspoken view, but also more subtle jokes (at least in the Dutch language, and for people aware of Dutch culture), a perceptive view on the way the institutions in the Dutch East Indies worked to promote the corruption and the exploitation of the people. All these things make the book an enjoyment to read.

The writer, however, isn't trying to make an objective unemotional description of the events in the East Indies, but he is arguing - making a treatise - for a different/better treatment of the people in the Indonesia, basing his treatise on facts and emotions (he stresses the parts which are undisputed facts in a very natural way). For this he uses al his (well developed) rhetorical abilities.

To give some examples of his rhetorical abilities and the working of the structure:
- at some point in the book he argues against painters which try to show the multitude of misery caused by a certain event, by painting the quantity involved. He argues that this makes people numb for the suffering shown on the painting. Why the writer tells this is unclear, until later when he starts telling a dramatic story about the injustice and suffering endured by an Indonesian boy. Then it becomes clear that this suffering is endured by many Indonesians, but instead of making you dazzle with numbers he tries (and succeeds) to make you feel compassionate with one individual. Only to make you realise afterwards that there are/were many individuals which are enduring the same suffering!
- and instead of stating with certain facts: `this is a fact', he makes himself angry about how shocking/outrages something is, only to afterwards state: `it is true: you can look it up here, or there'.
These are just two examples, but the entire book is a rhetoric masterwork!

However, readers expecting a balanced book will be disappointed. The writer didn't strive for consensus, he strove to make an as great as possible contrast between his ideals (good) and the Dutch merchantmen spirit (evil). The treatise worked much in the same way as the books/movies of Micheal Moore do today. Mixing emotion, fact and rhetorical ability (although Multatuli has greater literary abilities) to create a document that polarises society about great contemporary political issues.

Max Havelaar is the best story of the 1000 years and the Uncle Tom's Cabin of the Dutch East Indies, according to the Indonesian novelist Pramodeya Ananta Toer. The billing piqued my search for the novel.
Max Havelaar, of the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company was written in 1860 by Eduward Douwes Dekker under the pen name Multatuli. The intrigue unfolds from the points of view of Droogstoppel, a stuffy Dutch coffee broker; Scarfman, an aspiring writer; Havelaar, an idealist and newly appointed Resident of Labak, Java; Blatherer, a preacher; Saijah, a young servant yearning for his love; and others, all affected by coffee markets. Interspersed are direct writings from author to reader. These asides are at times lengthy, quaint, or preachy. Not an easy read, yet intriquing enough to drive me to keep turning the pages. Indeed, the author himself describes his work as "chaotic, disjointed, striving for effect, bad in style, lacking skill.....but the substance is irrefutable." Most appealing are descriptions applicable today. Anyone who has ever been expected to report only the positive to corporate superiors, is bothered by products made by "millions who are maltreated or exploited in your name," or notices empires go to war more easily than mills are moved is bound to welcome this book. The novel hastened abolition of the Dutch Cultural System requiring compulsory growing of particular crops. Toer's characterization, if over the top, afforded me the opportunity of a brilliant read.

Most people turn to this book in order to learn about 19 century colonialism. However the book is stunningly contemporary as a picture of universal human types, and of a particular type, which is especially well refined and developed in the Netherlands. I suppose because of the Netherlands history of Calvinism, wealth, "apartheid", provincialism - people living in separate sub communities defined by religion, who only care for those in their own group. Moreover the book is a multimedia self-referring extravaganza avant-la-letter, masterfully written. Approached in the right frame of mind it is at the same time desparately funny and funnily desparate.

I recently asked 8 Dutch university students if they had read it - the most famous book in Dutch literature. 7 had not. One had started but had thrown it away half finished because it was all so depressingly familiar. (Familiar as a picture of present day attitudes in the Netherlands).

This book was fabulous. My wife and I were married in the Cooks and I found this book to be quite helpful and full of humor. As for map scale, the island is very small and you could almost throw a rock to the other side of the island. As Papa explains in the book the islanders are very nice and accommodating while working on what they claim is "coconut time".

My suggestion if on a trip to the Cooks, read Papa Mike's book and you will see for your self how easy the island was to navigate after reading this enjoyable masterpiece.

I have never been to the Cook Islands, but as I read Papa Mike's book, I felt as if I was in the middle of a trip there. He makes the reader feel life on the island as it is lived. It is very clear that he loves the people and their way of life. His stories and tips are warm with touches of humor, and yet very detailed so that the reader can easily visualize a trip to the Islands. I was impressed with the details of the accomodations or lack thereof on each island, and the details of activities and travel on each island. Mr. Hollywood has obviously spent some time living on the Islands, and after reading his book, I hope to do so, too.

Papa Mike's Cook Islands Hanbook is an exceptionally useful guide for the first time visitor to the Cook Islands. My wife and I traveled to the Cooks in July 2004, and loved it. Papa Mike's book helped us prepare every step of the way, from booking our accomodation in advance, bringing proper clothing, procedures at the airport, to very accurate reviews of local restaurants. The book details the many options for activities around the island, including the "not to be missed" Island Nights. Also included is a detail of all of the Rarotonga bus schedules, so you can quickly and inexpensively get around the island.

This book is worth every penny, and will save you tons on your trip. I give it my highest rating.

This book, which is more of a trip report than a real guidebook is not adequate to be your only guide to the Cooks.

The most crucial failing is that the location of lodging and restuarants is not indicated on his maps. It really is helpful to know where places are located.

Looking at page 35, his map of Rarotonga, shows some districts, Muri, Titikaveka but there isn't even a scale indicator, how far is one neighborhood from the other?

He often subsitutes personal anecdotes for useful information. For instance he tells you that 3 collect calls he made to his office in California were expensive but does not really explain how the phones work in the Cooks (Kia Orana cards, etc.)

Or he writes "What Not to Take - Leave behind your hash pipe, methanthedamine, fruits, meats, cats, dogs and your nine-millimeter Uzi, for none of these are permitted." Was he padding? did he have to add some more pages? because that is just a useless waste of words.

Othertimes he relies on opinions of his fellow tourists (he admits as much himself) as in restaurant reviews.

I just feel that this was a lazy book. He went to the Cook's to write this guide and just didn't make much (or any effort) to do anything extra that would assist the traveler. He rode around on a scooter and saw some accomodations (he only lists those that have more than 4 units), if you use the Cook Island tourist Web site you can get more info and pictures.

He also describes the cross-island walk but on the Lonely Planet forum he admitted that he had not done the walk himself but only interviewed a guide. Yet he writes stuff like "The rest of us, after viewing the needle ..."

If this book is available for free somewhere, sure take a look.
He does describe taking a freighter out to Penrhyn, an interesting 4 page description that is not in Moon or LP.

I did glean one valuable thing from the book, under Courtesies and Appropriate dress he writes than one should always exchange pleasantries with a shopkeeper (Good morning, how are you?) before asking for whatever you want to purchase.

But this is not a real guidebook.

Sorry to disagree with one of the other reviewers, bu the COOK ISLANDS are NOT a "little known" island chain. I am sorry to say that the small island of Aitutaki has been over-built with INCREDIBLY expensive (for the poor service & mediocre food) resorts that charge 5 star prices (and more) and deliver 2 star service & food, pollute the fragile lagoon with OTWB (over-the-water-bungalows) that can cost $US 600+ per day. An nearby, off-shore tiny atoll (where one can go for a day snorkel picnic) is now over-run with tourists, an over-priced shack where one can stay for the night & a refreshment/food stand.

If you purchase David Stanley's TAHITI HANDBOOK you get maps, culture, history, religion, politics, flight & ferry schedules, reviews on food, dive shops, car rentals, excursions and lodging in all categories, on ALL of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands & Easter Island, all in the same book for a reasonable price. If this other reviewer had read the COOK ISLAND section in David's book he'd know that the Cooks are not a remote, untraveled island chain, but an island chain frequented by Kiwis & Ozzies who get MUCH better deals (on hotel room rates) by booking through their own local travel agents as opposed to US travel agents, and he'd also learn that sometimes, self-booking and negotiating with the smaller hotel's owners can produce a better rate, and a better experience, than relying on a US packager that wants to shove you into a pre-packaged plan that pays him/her the biggest commission. David's 25 years of traveling the South Pacific incognito makes his advice INVALUABLE. He also includes the feedback of readers, I know, I am one of them. Tahiti Handbook is more extensive and reliable than Papa Mike's or the unreliable (on price & room rates & maps) LONELY PLANET'S COOK ISLANDS.

Michener's compilation of short stories arrayed around the dreamer in all of us who lust over south seas lore, whether we have lived there or perhaps never even visited. These are stories rich in visual majesty, and the human ambition, drive, and misadventure, which the lucky few of us have actually lived.

"Tales of the South Pacific" with protagonists you can love to hate? That's what I was expecting when I picked this book up, since I'm a Michener fan from back far enough so I had to use my mother's library card to check out his books (for some strange reason the Children's Room librarian wouldn't let me have them!). On that level - whether or not this volume of true stories met my expectations - I'm disappointed. I'm not sure if it's because of the co-author's influence on Michener's style, but that definitely could be it. There's a certain academic dryness here that I don't remember from any other Michener work. Or is it because the people depicted are just so unremittingly BAD that spending time with them isn't fun?

In any case, these are well-researched chronicles of the lives of some through-and-through rascals who did their evil deeds from the 16th Century through the first part of the 20th. There's plenty of irony, plenty of historical detail, and plenty of adventure. I found it depressing, but I recognize that as a personal reaction. Its premise, pointed out by the authors at the book's beginning, is definitely borne out: the "refuge" so many men and women have sought, and continue to seek, in Polynesia just isn't there to find. "Wherever you go, there you are?" So very true - and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed recognizing some of the true stories on which elements of Michener's beloved novel "Hawaii" are based.

This is a wonderful collection of short stories that are bound to please. a cant miss!!!

Great book about the dreamers of the South Pacific. It is a collection of short stories of important and not so important dreamers who have wanted to make a name for themselves in the South Pacific. Stories range from brutal mutiny to the early history of the Hawaiian Islands.

Michener and his partner, South Pacific expert A. Grove Day, tell a wild variety of stories from the horror of the Globe Mutinity to the incredible adventures of Coxinga, pirate of the South Pacific. If you want to know the true story of Captain Bligh, the man of mutinies, you'll find there's much more to the story than in the movies.
The theme here is that for centuries civilized man has dreamed of island life with beautiful willing women and few rules or responsibilities. This book shows the folly and tragedy of many and the luck and fortune of some who made it work. I have read most of these stories multiple times and find this a book that remains interesting. As always, Michener is well researched and quite compelling.

This book has some hilarious moments. I recommend it highly to anyone wanting to learn more about the South Pacific

Sean O'Reilly
Editor-at-large
Travelers' Tales

Editor of 30 Days in the South Pacific

I was highly impressed with this terrifically real, but straightforward recital of events in really unusual circumstances. For example, the author did not editorialize on whether the village people working throughout the night to process their chickens, so they could obtain more material goods, was a good or bad thing. Likewise with the picture of them working in (I presume) a hot, smoky kitchen in Chicken Willys.

As a typical capitalist American, I of course would have set up the same, but I also want to ask the author: Are these good people better off as they were, or after taking up the reins of commerce?

This new author has real talent.

I fell in love with the Solomons during two visits in the mid-1980s. Will Randall has captured the spirit of the islands very well.... the casualness of the process, the friendships of the locals, the dubious expats who drift in and out.

You will enjoy his British wit and laugh at his adventures and fellow islanders. A great holiday read, especially if in the tropics.

As an american i found the book to be very intresting not only for the relaxing journey though the south pacific but also for Randall's british ways, Reading solomon time made me think of Will as Hugh Grant. The conversations with the islanders were very good , the desciptions of the island scenery and people was great and i feel like i came away knowing a remote village in a far flung corner of the map, which is always an indication of a good book.

This book tells the rather self-deprecatory tale of an English school teacher who becomes a volunteer in the Solomon Islands. A chance meeting with an ex-colonial identified as "the commander" sends Will Randall to Rendova Island in the Western Solomons with the vague intention of helping the local villagers create some sort of income-generating project. Randall's first weeks are spent acclimatizing to the slow pace of Solomons life, until a divemaster in nearby Munda suggests he help the villagers set up a chicken farm to supply meat to the local guest houses. Despite the ethnic conflicts raging in the capital Honiara, Will Randall manages with difficulty to locate the correct breeding hens, and Chicken Willy is soon dispensing fried fast food to one and all at Munda Market. Solomon Time is a case study of the naive Westerner in a tropical location who arrives to do good and stays to go native. It's appropriate reading for anyone considering doing something similar.