Tahiti (and French Polynesia)

Click here for link to Tahiti travel guide (tahititiare)

French Polynesia: A book of selected readings selected by Ron Crocombe and Nancy J. Pollack. Published by the Institute of Pacific Studies. ISBN 9820200326 Recommended retail price $16.

French Polynesia comprises a large and important part of the Pacific heritage, yet of issues past and present there has been little information available in english. This book partly fills that gap, giving an overview of the history, the customs, the land, modern day life issues, and concerns for future direction. Being able to read these ideas, of French Polynesians and others, in English should help to make more people better informed. Soft cover, 305 pages. Published in 1988.

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Tahiti and French Polynesia by Tony Wheeler and Jean-Bernard Carillet. Recommended retail price $16.95.

The first three editions of Tahiti & French Polynesia were written by my friend Rob Kay so I look somewhat askance at this edition. Tony Wheeler can’t cover everything but he and his co-author seem to have done the usual thorough Lonely Planet coverage of this fascinating region. Quibbles: The coconut crab in the photo series isn’t a coconut crab and Tony Wheeler’s Heliconia shot from the Rarotonga Lonely Planet Guide turns up here too. These are minor blips on 393 pages, packed with useful information. The guide also covers the archipelagos … the Societies, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Australs and Gambiers so the book is very useful to yachties and other “off the beaten track” travellers. Soft cover.

Tahiti Handbook: Including Easter Island and the Cooks by David Stanley. Published by Moon Travel Handbooks. ISBN 1-56691-412-4. Recommended retail price $17.95.

David Stanley, arguably the South Pacific's best known travel writer, turns his perceptive pen to the eastern Pacific. . Tahiti Handbook covers all the information you need to immerse yourself in this Polynesian world. As with all the Moon guides, there is comprehensive coverage of how and what to visit and where to stay. There is also substantial information on the history, natural history and culture of each the places discussed. Coverage is comprehensive. Island groups covered include the Society Islands, Tuamotu, Austral, Gambier and Marquesas Groups as well as the Cook Islands and the enigmatic Rapanui (Easter Island). Soft cover, 436 pages. Fifth Edition.

Click here for a review

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Tahiti: The other side edited by Ron Crocombe and Pat Hereniko. Recommended retail price $ 10.

This eminently readable book takes you into the lives of four urban lower-income Tahitians as they describe their experiences. Community leaders reflect on how to help Tahitian poor. This gives a view of life far different from that seen from the ritzy tourist hotels and glamorous nightlife of Papeete and Borabora. Soft cover, 150 pp.

Click on links below for these books.

South Pacific Islands by Joan Beard

South Pacific Islands, Nelles Guide by Michael Brillat

Last modified on Tuesday, May 03, 2011