Oceania Books

Prior to the publication of this book there were important gaps and inaccuracies in our understanding of the battles for the Falkland Islands. Were Argentinian ground troops cowardly slackards? Were their officers self-serving and tactically incompetent? Was a British officer attempting negotiation under a white flag at Goose Green intentionally fired upon? Was the Argentinian Air Force commanded by a political bureaucrat? The surprising answer to all these question is No, and in a careful and touchingly human review of the activities and decisions of Argentinian forces Middlebrook reveals the tragic gap that developed between Argentinian political leaders and the troops and officers given the difficult task of defending the islands without adequate support as winter closed in. The junta's colossal mistake of assuming the UK would not fight for the Falklands led to the isolation, suffering, and defeat of the occupation forces and, while ultimately setting the stage for democracy in Argentina, seared a painful wound into the soul of a country already conscious of past failures. Middlebrook's access to Argentinian commanders, troops, and families helps reveal the complex social and political landscape of a country which still sees the "Malvinas" in terms of classical European colonialism. It also reveals the operational planning and situational understanding of air and land commanders at critical points in the conflict.

Prior to the publication of this book there were important gaps and inaccuracies in our understanding of the battles for the Falkland Islands. Did Argentinian troops intentionally fire upon a British officer attempting negotiation under a white flag at Goose Green? Were Royal Marines successful in their ambush of Argentinian armored vehicles during the initial invasion? Was the Argentinian Air Force commanded by a fanatical maniac out to establish his service as the dominant domestic political force? The surprising answer to all these question is No, and in a careful and touchingly human review of the activities and decisions of Argentinian forces Middlebrook reveals the tragic gap that developed between Argentinian political leaders and the troops and officers given the difficult task of defending the islands without adequate support as winter closed in. The junta's colossal mistake of assuming the UK would not fight for the Falklands led to the isolation, suffering, and defeat of the occupation forces and, while ultimately setting the stage for democracy in Argentina, seared a painful wound into the soul of a country already carrying conscious of past failures. Middlebrook's access to Argentinian commanders, troops, and families helps reveal the complex social and political landscape of a country which still sees the "Malvinas" in terms of classical European colonialism. It also reveals the operational planning and situational understanding of air and land commanders at critical points in the conflict. Students of this subject will recognize the author as a highly accomplished battle historian.

Martin Middlebrook has once again shown why he is one of the best British authors covering military history. His masterful account of the Falklands, 'Operation Corporate' now has a companion volume, this time covering the war from the Argentinian point of view. The book is well told and is a delight to read and only one of very few covering this war from the 'other side'. You really have to give it to the pilots flying their aircraft against the Britsh Fleet, they had guts, they knew what they were in for but continued with their mission. This is a great story, if you can get a copy do so, you wont be disappointed!

After reading this book ,The Forgotten One , I had begun a search of other books of this type. The forgotten one had such an effect that I began a journey, physically, to find out more of this lifestyle and ended up living in the south pacific for a period of 18 months. Once you read this book , it may effect you in such a way , that the mundane , the'normal' the monetary , no longer is good enough , and you too may start a life in search of the Romance that is provided only in the islands of palm fringed lagoons that only exist in the South Pacific. I rate this book as my favourite , for it is written from the heart in a simlpe to 'appreciate' way of life that exists outside that of the big cities

This was Hall's last book, a collection of six short stories about Americans and Europeans he knew personally during his years on Tahiti. The title story, The Forgotten One, is probably the most interesting. Written half a century ago, it tells the tale of an Englishman who couldn't come to terms with own sexuality and fled to a remote atoll in the Tuamotu Islands to be alone. The story seems strange today when gays are largely accepted, but during the 1950s such cases were plausible. The final story in the collection, Frisbie of Danger Island, is an annotated series of letters Hall received from his good friend, Robert Dean Frisbie, or 'Ropati' as the Cook Islanders called him. Frisbie's one literary success, The Book of Pukapuka, can be ordered through this website. Hall's story chronicles Frisbie's years of poverty and rejected manuscripts, as well as his famous experience of a hurricane on Suwarrow Atoll. By the way, if you'll be visiting Tahiti, a James Norman Hall Museum opened recently in his original home at Arue just outside Papeete. If you've read any of his books, the museum is a must.

This collection of stories of the eastern tropical pacific is, along with Under a Thatched Roof by the same author a book that I have ended up reading again and again since I first read them as a teenager. The frantic world dips under the horizon as you can lose yourself in the remote world of French Polynesia in the 20's and 30's. The cold hard world of steel and inanity melts into the warmth of a tropical night of soft breezes and oh so many stars. The Forgotten One is about a man so troubled by his difference from other men that he goes to incredible lengths to avoid all but his old servant Ling Foo and an elderly Tuamotuan woman. Anyone who has felt this estrangement should read about Crichton. There is another story of a happy sort about a Chinese family of Tahiti that befriends the author because of his simple gift of a few American seeds. The last tale is about another interesting character and author of the South Seas- Robert Dean Frisbee. He might not have had an easy life, but good lord, what adventure. Read these and other essays by James Norman Hall and see if you aren't glad that you shared this earth with this gentle and perceptive soul. Bob

This book has the most breathtaking photographs I have ever seen! If you're looking for a photographic journal of Australia, then look no further! My mother and I were searching for a book to get my brother (who's just about to return from studying abroad in Australia) because his camera and all of the pictures he'd taken were stolen! Hopefully, this book will be a good substitue for his own pictures. This book is absolutely magnificent!!! I highly recommend this book, it is worth every penny!

After spending some time in Australia and wanting to take something home with me to remind me of a fantastic trip, I stumbled into a small gallery in The Rocks district of Sydney.

From that point on I have had a Ken Duncan panograph on my wall and this book on my coffee table. Ken has the gift to create pictures that invoke amazing feelings in the audience. His picture of a field of Sunflowers is aptly named "Field of Joy". I sat in his gallery and watch a dozen people walk in a smile when they saw the Field of Joy picture on the wall. It was the most natural reaction.

Ken's work is beautifully portrayed in this book in large, page and multi-page covering panographs. It will be a favorite with you, your family, and your friends. I know, as I have one friend who has flipped through its pages at least 20 times, and keeps coming back for more.

Are you a bit leery about buying a book of photos without seeing some of the photographers work? No problem. Check out Ken's web page at kenduncan.com.

If you are interested in, have been to, or are thinking of going to Australia, this is the book for you. It is broken up into the five Australian states of New South Wales, Southern, Northern Territory, Western, Queensland, and a section for Tasmania. It is the Highlights of Australia Book.

If you are interested in panoramic photography or photography in general, this is the book for you. It is a portfolio of one who has mastered the panoramic format. All of the photos are in stunningly rich color and have good page coverage so you aren't squinting and you don't need a magnifier.

This is a fantastic coffee table book, and well worth it's price.

The most breath taking photographs I've ever seen are found within pages of this "Divinely inspired" book. Coffee tables won't do it justice...definitely suitable for framing! The art and the artist are the genuine articles...the sincerity of the artist and the inspiration behind the works come through in a powerful way with the most amazing color and clarity. Whether you love Australia or good art, this book is a must have!

We found this to be an excellent handbook. There were handy maps of each region and fairly comprehensive reviews of things to do both in the major destinations and off the beaten track. For example, on our visit to the Waitomo region we noticed a few nature sites noted on our driving map withoout explanation. Checked the location in the Moon Handbook and discovered memorable side trips we would not have taken otherwise.

This book is great for backpackers and students. It is also helpful members of Hostelling International and VIP backpackers. It explains the cheapest way to travel and the must sees in New Zealand

A must for traveling and truly enjoying the people and countryside. Details of out-of-the-way places as well as the city life. Able to get around without driving (on the wrong side of the road). Will long remember all of the friendly people and the cleanliness of cities and countryside.

To me the amazing coincidence of the narrative by Joseph C. Meridith on the Patrols of the USS. Hanna DE449 in 1953-1954 is that it almost perfectly coincides with the time that I was a Radarman on the Hanna. It is like he wrote my history of that time in my Navy experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and it will be treasured by me and my family. The Patrols were a great experience with all the sailors on board wanting to be on the small parties that were able to go ashore to walk around the islands. The ones that I remember the most were Ponape, with its absolute breathtaking beauty and Truk with its abundant Japanese navy ships that had been damaged during World War II. The book is a great treasure of information on the islands written by a man who recorded his observations in a colorful and well written manner

I ran across this book looking for information about the USS Hanna (DE 449), a WWII Destroyer Escort ship named after Private Billy T. Hanna USMC, who died on Guadalcanal in 1942.

I highly recommend reading this to anyone interested in Micronesia and War in the Pacific. It is very readable and well worth the effort. Written by the USS Hanna's captain, Joseph C. Meredith, the book details the ship's patrols of Micronesia, and the Bonin and Volcano Islands in 1953-54.

Captain Meredith describes the seven patrols he captained, giving intimate observations on the islands they visited, the people, history and geology. The stories of the attempts of foreigners to discover, exploit and dominate the islands, provide a real understanding of the islands and their people.

His emphasis on Japanese influence on the islands gives a real understanding of WWII and the Pacific, of what it was like to be there, and of the reasons and strategy of the War in the Pacific.

He researched the history of Micronesia in great detail, providing an accurate view of how Micronesia became what it is today.

World War II in Micronesia laid a foundation for hundreds of books and thousands were written. For those of us who were there right after the war few books have recorded what it was like. This author, a naval captain of a Destroyer Escort, told his story and wove in history and the continuing story of the people. And he told the story we lived. Casual inspection tours of twenty islands in fifteen days. Landings that started in a small boat and ended swimming in across a rocky beach. Local administrators who had shamefully little support from the US government and still carried on trying to do a decent job. Priest and missionaries who carried on in the wake of war, building communities with Navy discards. Hopeless ocean searches that sometimes were successful. And a little boredom. For those who were there, a very true book.

Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan gives a panoramic view of Turkmenistan's past and kaleidoscopic vista of its present. It provides valuable information on important personalities, dynasties, institutions and events. It also gives a clear perception of the Turkmenistan culture, economy, geography and politics. The introduction, chronology and bibliography of selected publications on Turkmen state and society will definitely help researchers, students and general-public.

While other Central Asian countries opened themselves to the world with the end of the Cold War - and the War on Terror even brought them to the center of international attention - in many respects Turkmenistan still remains the terra incognita. Abazov's Historical Dictionary of Turkmenistan starts unleashing the country's mystery and potential.

Trained as historian in the Soviet universities and with solid exposure to Western scholarly methods, Dr. Abazov brings best of the two worlds to this concise yet comprehensive volume. Beyond the dictionary's 300+ entries is the portrait of vibrant society, which - due to a combination of internal weaknesses and external rivalries - felt victim of tyranny and international neglect. Very informative and equally well written are historical entries covering various (pre-Russian, Russian & Soviet, and present) periods of Turkmenistan's history. It helps that the dictionary is accompanied by detailed chronology of events in the country's history, as well very useful reader's notes.

One could argue about the choice of extensive biographical entries of the appointed officials of today, while omitting or offering scant references about individuals, whose lifetime contributions to Turkmen culture and society are much better known and proven. Among the latter is the preeminent duo of Kayghisiz Atabaev and Nedirbay Aytakov, who have led Turkmenistan's political consolidation, as well as Shaja Batyrov and Balysh Ovezov - the `architects' of the country's industrial modernization. Just as transformative were contributions to the Turkmen culture by such larger than life figures as composer Veli Muhatov, artist Izzat Klychev, film producer Alty Karliev, writer Kerim Kurbannepesov and many others.

Nevertheless, Dr. Abazov deserves full credit for embarking on and successfully completing such challenging scholarly mission. As the West have learned the hard way not to discount strategic importance of even the farthest and most obscure nations, his dictionary is a must-have reference for anyone interested not only in the region, but in the history to come.

I highly recommend this first historical dictionary available in English, on Turkmenistan. This dictionary offers a concise overview of the Turkmen history, including an impressive chronology of its major political, social, historical and cultural events. The book is a must read for students interested in Turkmenistan and Central Asia, researchers and development practitioners that are planning to go to this country. The book also contains a wealth of statistical data on Turkmenistan, and the most comprehensive bibliography available on this country. I highly commend Prof. Abazov's book for his pioneering contribution to development of the Eurasian studies.

This is a very well-written book, containing both exhaustive background and practical travel information on Java! It is MUCH better than the Java section of Lonely Planet's general Indonesia guide - lots of "off the beaten track" places included. Despite being a few years old now, it remains highly recommended - you just have to be prepared for the prices being higher!

This is one of the better travel books I've ever used. It provides information about food, lodging, and activites that are helpful whether you're travelling on an unlimited or, like me, a shoestring budget. The maps are helpful; very detailed and usually only showing the parts of cities that are interesting to tourists. There are excellent and insightful cultural essays that really add to the traveller's enjoyment.

Take this book if you're off to Java. It's a wonderful wonderful place, so don't miss it if you've ever considered going East!

This is the book, that you have to take with you. Its not the first time I took Lonley planet books with me. Its saved me a lot of money with very good b&b recommendations. The money you spend for the book you probablly earn the first night you take the advice about the hotels.

Laughs, chills and thrills for Children of all ages. Tia - Gam The Trickster delights with a sense of humor and mischief! Whales Canoe will take you on a trip that must be explored by young and old. This CD is a must have for entertainment.... cruising down the road, sitting around the campfire or just playing pretend!

It is no wonder that the author has children fighting over copies of this !!! When I hold it I say "MINE MINE MINE" too. The work is not only excellently WRITTEN - it manages to achieve that ever present goal of the writer - to entertain and teach simultaneously. The parables are so unforgettable - they stay with you and haunt you and make you a better person. I find myself going over and over the stories in my mind when I am quiet or even when I am not - they just keep running through my brain - and each time I learn something more. There is gentle and strong wisdom here - with a touch of magick. However it becomes very addictive - mine is being used and loved till it is worn out. This is more than a collection of stories - it is one of those creations that also becomes a beloved friend.

The stories are wonderful for all ages. Entertaining and engaging. Listen to learn how the kookaburra got it's laugh. Ever wondered how kangaroos found their way to Australia? Dal Burns will draw you into the characters and stories where you will find the surprising answers!

I came across this book almost by accident and I was surprised by how easy to read and useful it is.
The prices and costs may not be up to date but these can be determined by surfing the net. Well worth the price and the effort.
Like I said, a must - read for anyone headed to Australia for over 3 weeks.

Bear in mind however that this version has not been updated for a few years.

I truly enjoyed reading this book as I was able to learn the most essential aspects of living and working in Australia. This book features great advice on how to prepare yourself for the big move "Down Under", and what to expect from this new country. It also gives you a reality check on life in Australia as a new immigrant with all the challenges one must face. I really enjoyed the detailed list of "Aussie Real Estate Jargon" as I will need to refer to it when I will be looking for an apartment in Sydney. There are so many useful and practical information and advice in this book such as tips on how to find a job. This book has given me the confidence to move to Sydney as I feel prepareed and armed with the right information needed to make a good start Down Under. I have also read others books on "Living and Working in Australia", and this book is the best so far as it has the highest quality of content compared to the other ones.

I truly enjoyed reading this book as I was able to learn the most essential aspects of living and working in Australia. This book features great advice on how to prepare yourself for the big move "Down Under", and what to expect from this new country. It also gives you a reality check on life in Australia as a new immigrant with all the challenges one must face. I really enjoyed the detailed list of "Aussie Real Estate Jargon" as I will need to refer to it when I will be looking for an apartment in Sydney. There are so many useful and practical information and advice in this book such as tips on how to find a job. This book has given me the confidence to move to Sydney as I feel prepareed and armed with the right information needed to make a good start Down Under. I have also read others books on "Living and Working in Australia", and this book is the best so far as it has the highest quality of content compared to the other ones.

This travel book on Samoa is full of information to help one maximize a trip to Somoa. It has some great descriptions of Samoan history and places of interest. I am worried though. I am worried that if ever go to Samoa I will not know how to properly act. The author of this travelogue time and time again warns the reader about Samoan cultural mores which should be followed. But I am afraid I will forget some of them and be a shameful traveler.

This book is PACKED with information! It is also a really great size (smallish) to tuck in my travel bag and take along to be sure not to miss anything on my first trip to Samoa. :o)

This book has everything you need to know when travelling to Samoa. Nothing is missed and you should be able to plan a long or short stay in Samoa. Everything is as described in the book and nothing is really out of date. The only problem is that some of the maps lack detail to be useful, however quality maps are available in Apia.