Oceania Books

Penina Uliulu is a rare and precious black pearl of the Pacific. This book uses its title as metaphor; its aim is to be a "precious, rare, and colourful resource" for the current issues in mental health of Pacific peoples. It is, of course, refreshing to encounter studies of Pacific people written by Pacific people themselves. It is also rare, precious, and colourful to find so many voices unified by their Pacific distinctiveness yet reflective of their own unique cultures and experiences. This edited volume contains nineteen contributions, consisting of mainly essays, but also interviews and poetry. The end of the book includes a substantial categorized bibliography pointing to further resource material in Pasifika mental health. Divided into four sections, the book covers the broad topics of Pacific identities, spirituality, the Pacific unconscious, and trauma and healing.
The subjectivity and attached perspective of the essayists is definitely a major strength of the book. While the contributors are readily equipped to avoid the pitfalls of assumed Western objectivity, their first hand experiences are written down carefully and critically, unafraid to analyse and critique the sometimes negative aspects of their own cultures. This leads to an insightful read not only for Pacific people, but also those interested in learning how Pacific people see themselves.

Initially skeptical that this book would deliver an accurate depiction of life in Perth, as so few books have in the past, I am pleased to say I was completely misguided in my cynicism. As an Aussie expat travelling the world, moving to somewhere new every 2-4 years I was keen to find a coffee table book that would be both interesting, beautiful to look at and above all informative and accurate, this book is all of those things and more! This is the perfect gift but be sure to get one to keep...makes me homesick every time I turn the pages. It has been the perfect way to say thank you and help show people where I am from.

Expeditions of adventure didn't end with the demise of Captain Cook in 1780: further expeditions were soon dispatched, but too few accounts provide general-interest readers with their specifics. Six of Cook's successors and their Pacific journeys are revealed in Pioneers Of The Pacific: Voyages Of Exploratio, 1787-1810 through the collaborative efforts of Nigel Rigby, Pieter van der Merwe and Lyn Williams. Illustrations in color from a range of international sources accompany biographical and adventure sketches of the six early explorers who continued Cook's legacy and considers their lasting impact, from Arthur Philip, the founder of the first British colony in Australia, to Alejandro Malaspina, whose Spanish expedition's achievements were overshadowed by his later disgrace.

Excellent Book ! Extremely well written, historical accounts documented by locals of Solmon Islands. Thin, little book but one hungrly eats up every word. Factual views from highly educated (academically and non-traditionally) intelligent people who present the realistic and truthful side of a Pacific Island Peoples history. Non-biased by Missionary or "White Man's" views, it is an account of facts rarely found or publlished. One finds so few works of Anthropological status writen and compiled by the local people of Pacific Island Nations. Very Interesting, creatively written, not for the average person but those who are truly interested in factual accounts of the Solomon's, Anthropology students, and travelers who want to "know" more about the people who they are visiting and not just where to eat and stay. FOr true lovers of Melanesia and Pacific Island history. It's rare to find such a jewel amongst the many grains of sand written today. Buy it ! You won't be sorry!

Initially I was worried this book might be a polemic. However, it is not. In fact, despite the title, I found the book to be a reasonably balanced account of Freeport's involvement in Indonesia and a comprehensive history. The book breaks it down into subjects such as business dealings, human rights, development, environment, etc. The author does seem to try to give Freeport credit and the benefit of the doubt when it is due. However, the picture she paints is appropriately depressing.

A must for students of Indonesian studies, development, or corporate social responsibility.

This book was absloutly amazing. It may have been the best book i have ever read. It gave my many great ideas for my trip to fiji next year. I liked fiji so much from reading this book that I feel like I've already been there.

This is a delightful & wonderful work about a remarkable adventure: exploring Australia's Outback (and Infront) armed with rosined bows, microphones, and cameras...like a National Geographic production on Aesthetic Steroids. Jon Rose's photos and vids are enchanting. Hollis Taylor's narrative is rich, literate, allusive, evocative...superbly written, in short. If you are familiar with their music CD "Great Fences of Australia" this book/DVD is a must-have, it's the full behind-the-music report of that project. But if you're not, it's likely that this book/DVD will lead you to experience the mysterious & beautiful sounds on the CD. Highly recommended.

I had to write an economics paper, and one particular chapter was very helpful for me. The chapters were all editorials on different aspects of the finances of living in Hawaii. They are very throughough and appear to be accurate. The dialog is easy to read, and there are amusing cartoons. It is a fun and easy book to explore if you want this sort of information. The topics are interesting, which I didn't think was possible since the overall subject is economics. Overall, interesting and informative.

This book is a must for anyone interested in Sino-India relations. It chronologically analysizes the relations/events between modern China and India upto the late 1990's and mainly covers military and political aspects. It's interesting to read the Chinese view points and policies though understandably overall more of the Indian perceptions are explained.

The author John Garver has done a thorough job and I was suprised the the in-depth information on all important issues. References to Sardar Patel as leader 'realpolitik', failures of Indian diplomacy to garner support inspite of supporting democratic insistitutions/values in the region, China playing the Pakistan card to achieve higher status, India's sphere of influence v/s China's tributary status in the region, reasons for Sino-Soviet split are some of the few.

Now with post-Deng China attaining great economic progress and slowly abandoning its belligerent Maoist policies, it would be good to see if it can sustain this level of progress without social change and freedom. At the same time India's bureaucratic and dysfunctional democratic system needs a lot of catching up to do if it wants to reduce the progress gap with China. The opening of the Nathu-La pass, the Qinghai-Tibet railway, fierce competition for global energy resourses etc.; these two Asian giants are getting more interactive leading to rivalalry with few instances of cooperation. Like John Garver says that unless India is willing to become a junior partner of China in the emerging world order, we may further see Sino-Indian rivalry in the 21st century.

After trying to secure this book through Barnes and Nobles, I was told that there would be a delay on the shipment date. That would just simply not work as it was a present for a friend, so I turned to reliable Amazon. As a Peace Corps Volunteer from the South Pacific, I try to read as many books about that region of the world as possible, but it is often extremely difficult to find books about the South Pacific. This is a great find. Thanks!