Fabled Isles of the South Seas [Hardcover]

Winston Stuart Conrad (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This handsome coffee-table book, which covers roughly the sweep from Tahiti to Easter Island, is the work of the photographer son of the writer/painter Barnaby Conrad. The brief text skillfully introduces the islands, incorporating quotations from famous earlier visitors such as Melville, Gauguin, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The photographs are well chosen and provocatively juxtaposed with historical images, including old postcards, portions of maps, and even postage stamps. Unlike many books of this genre, there is an emphasis on portraying the local people in their everyday activities, as well as views of stunning sunsets. Primarily a gift book for those planning a tour and a souvenir to remember it by, this book may be priced beyond the budgets of many public libraries.?Harold M. Otness, Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

It's hard to neatly categorize this handsome photo-filled coffee table title: part travelogue, part history, and always literary, this pairs over 400 color and black and white photos and illustrations with writings and quotes by literary greats who write about the South Sea isles. This beautiful and compelling title will serve both armchair travelers and those seeking a collection of literary and historical insights. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Wild Coconuts Pub Co (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964970112
• ISBN-13: 978-0964970113
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,484,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Library Journal, October 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fabled Isles of the South Seas (Hardcover)

This handsome coffee-table book, which covers roughly the sweep from Tahiti to Easter Island, is the work of the photographer son of the writer/painter Barnaby Conrad. The brief text skillfully introduces the islands, incorporating quotations from famous earlier visitors such as Melville, Gauguin, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The photographs are well chosen and provocatively juxtaposed with historical images, including old postcards, portions of maps, and even postage stamps. Unlike many books of this genre, there is an emphasis on portraying the local people in their everyday activities, as well as views of stunning sunsets. Primarily a gift book for those planning a tour and a souvenir to remember it by, this book may be priced beyond the budgets of many libraries.- Harold M. Otness

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Islands Magazine Reviews, October 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fabled Isles of the South Seas (Hardcover)

Bookbag...
A writer and photographer who splits his life between his native California and his adopted homeland of French Polynesia, Winston Conrad has put together a sampler of Pacific paradises. The title - Fabled Isles of the South Seas (dist. by ACCESS Publishers, $49.95) - says it all, or nearly, and Conrad's selection is hard to quarrel with, including as it does Tahiti and its Society Island neighbors, Pitcairn, the Cooks, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, and Easter Island. Conrad clearly knows the territory, and each of his essays conveys a personal take amplified by extended quotes from eminent literary visitors (Jack London to James Michener). The illustrations include both Conrad's own color photographs and a nice melange of drawings, historical charts, and old prints. It's the grand Pacific tour with an informed guide.