Customer Reviews

Rapa Nui, Island of Memory

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Product bought for my Sister who is very impressed with this item, and is far in with this book within a very short space of time.

This is the book I've waited 30 years to see. Georgia Lee PhD probably knows more about Polynesian rock art than anyone except the original carvers of that art. She spent years on Easter Island, living among the islanders and recording the petroglyphs. When she came back to California after these field trips, she told us delightful stories about the people who lived there -- and she wrote about the island's archaeology (THE ROCK ART OF EASTER ISLAND, AN UNCOMMON GUIDE TO EASTER ISLAND, etc.)

Now, at last, she has written the stories she told us -- stories of the island people and her adventures among them. Why Eduardo wore a dirty tee-shirt when he greeted Prince Phillip of England, how Luz Mercedes got that nasty scar, the jail-break that ended when the escapees ran out of booze in that cave. And so much more. Wow. "Island of Memory" indeed. What a treat.

Margaret Searles, author of the Mrs. Millet & Mrs. Hark Mysteries from Wrinklers Press

A new book appearing on Rapa Nui bookshelf brightly features the whole set of interesting and curious facts about the island and the islanders, the narrative of the modern history developing in the front of the author. Starting from the eighties of the past century, it encompasses many specific topics hard to find in the existing Easter Island literature. The reader can literally feel the pace of time, reflected in the described sequence of changes taking place in Hangaroa village and the archaeological sites of the island. Buildings are constructed, hotels grow, cars increase in number; airplane flights became more frequent, enabling much more people to visit Rapa Nui; archaeological sites undergo throughout investigation and are become re-built from the ruins.

The book supplies interesting details concerning the rock art recording project carried out by the author, describing the work performed at 'Orongo, Rano Kau, Poike, in the vicinities of 'Anakena and Ahu Ra'ai. We learn about the discovery of the cave with Make-make petroglyphs, statues returned from Hangaroa back to the solitary ceremonial platform at Poike and the "traveling moai" set upright near Tongariki after its travel to the exhibition in Japan. There are descriptions and photos of Ahu Tongariki destroyed by a tidal wave and its current reconstructed appearance.

The book is richly illustrated, featuring over 150 black and white photos, more than a dozen color illustrations, about 20 petroglyph tracings and numerous drawings by the author, which adds a special touch to the book. Among the photos published in the "Island of Memory" are one-of-a-kind: breath-taking aerial views of the island (Rano Kau, 'Orongo, Tahai complex, Ahu Tongariki, Poike peninsula and Poike ditch); photos from Motu Nui islet and its caves; photos illustrating the filming of BBC Easter Island documentary in 1987 and the Hollywood movie a couple of years later. The evolution of the Tapati festival from early days to the modern times spectacular show is discussed.

Several chapters of the book are devoted to the islanders and their life, showing the kind, strong, optimistic, and open-hearted Rapa Nui people; there are many romantic and moving descriptions of the enchanted island, its scenery and unique sites, which makes the reader longing to visit this beautiful place in the Pacific. All of this together with the incredible story-telling skills of the author, supplying bright humorous descriptions of the different events that occurred while her rock art recording project was in process, make this book very interesting and fascinating, bringing it (to my opinion) to the "must have" category for everyone, who wishes to learn more about the history and culture of Easter Island.

This book will bring back memories of the Rapanui people to anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Easter Island. Those who haven't been but are interested in this special place will gain an appreciation of these resilient people that will rival their wonder and awe of the "mysteries" of Easter Island. A fun read about a great place.