For the Good of Mankind: A History of the People of Bikini and their Islands (Second Edition) [Paperback]

Jack Niedenthal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2001

The story of the people of Bikini Atoll and their islands in the words of the people. This oral history takes the reader from ancient to modern times.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Niedenthal's use of oral history enables the Bikinians to tell their own story. A welcome contribution to Pacific studies." --Robert C. Kiste, Director, Center for Pacific Islands Studies, U. of Hawai'i

"I thoroughly enjoyed the book, particularly reading the history of Bikini in the words of the people. " --Allen P. Stayman, U.S. Compact of Free Association Negotiator

About the Author

Having lived, studied and worked in the Marshall Islands from 1981 until the present, author Jack Niedenthal speaks fluent Marshallese. His wife, Regina, is a Bikini islander. They have four children.

His first six years in the Marshalls were all spent in the isolated jungles of the outer islands. He was a Peace Corps volunteer on Namu Atoll (1981-84). He then contracted to work with the Bikini Council on Kili Island (1984-late 1986) teaching English to the adults, teaching in the elementary school and working with the Kili/Bikini/Ejit Local Government Council.

After the death of former Trust Liaison, Ralph Waltz, he was asked by the Council to begin work as the Trust Liaison for their local government (1987 to present).

Duties of the Trust Liaison for the People of Bikini include the management and coordination of the funds allocated by the United States government to compensate the Bikinians for their suffering and to facilitate the radiological cleanup of Bikini Atoll. He acts as a liaison for the Council to the media, the U.S. government and its various agencies, the scientists who work on Bikini, the Bikini CouncilÂ’s attorney, trustees, money managers, construction companies, engineers, project managers, auditors and business associates. The Trust Liaison also coordinates travel schedules, is used as an advisor and translator, manages the BikiniansÂ’ scholarship program, and is responsible for the Bikini CouncilÂ’s accounting. He also manages the Bikini Atoll Dive Program for the Bikinians

He has published a number of articles and photos about the people of Bikini in World View magazine, The Health Physics Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Micronitor/Bravo Publishers; 2nd edition (September 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9829050025
• ISBN-13: 978-9829050021
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > History > Australia & Oceania > Marshall Islands

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, December 23, 2001

By 

Tom Ellis (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Good of Mankind: A History of the People of Bikini and their Islands (Second Edition) (Paperback)

This is history written from the view of the people. The book had me crying at times, at times laughing, at times it had me very angry: The story of the people of Bikini is that kind of tale. I will just give this warning: this book will not make you proud to be an American, we really messed things up out there.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars quite a story, July 3, 2005

By 

B. Aikman (Dover, Delaware, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Good of Mankind: A History of the People of Bikini and their Islands (Second Edition) (Paperback)

I found my teenaged daughter reading this book one day, so when she was finished I picked it up...

This is a story so worth reading. The author's life at first seemed hopelessly entangled with his subject's to a point that I thought the book would eventually read like a one-sided diatribe. I was very, very pleased with how he presented the Bikinian's story, however, and would highly recommend this small but important piece of Pacific history to anyone who wants to know how an indigenous people can be so horribly abused by a super power.

Astounding material.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a breath of very fresh air, May 18, 2003

By 

"billzlehman" (LA, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For the Good of Mankind: A History of the People of Bikini and their Islands (Second Edition) (Paperback)

This book was an eye opener. It makes you wonder why this event that happened so many years ago in the middle of the Pacific has been buried for so long. This is not a cut and dry history, this book is a very readable journey through a culture that is unique. The author lets us know who he is, so it enables the reader to understand the person who is doing the interviews. That was a nice and unexpected touch. I found the book to be thought provoking and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in studying the history of the Pacific.