Queen Salote of Tonga: The Story of an Era 1900-1965 (Hardcover)

by Elizabeth Wood-Ellem (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This is an extensive biography of Queen Salote of Tonga. It is also a political and social history of the kingdom of Tonga between the years of 1900 and 1965. Researched over more than 20 years and written with the consent of the Tongan royal family, this book draws on the author's knowledge of Tongan society especially the role of rank, status and the complex marriage and kinship relations among the leading families. It is an in depth account of Queen Salote's skills in building and maintaining the loyalty of her people and the instability of the kingdom and in overcoming resistance both within and without Tonga. It is also a perceptive portrayal about individual personality, and gives a picture of ordinary people and daily people.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Auckland University Press (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1869402057
• ISBN-13: 978-1869402051
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,582,308 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great female leaders of the 20th Century, May 7, 2000

By	F. Orion Pozo "Orion Pozo" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tonga is a unique place in being the only Polynesian kingdom to maintain its culture and government through the colonial period that brought down similar cultures in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Queen Salote adds to this uniqueness by being the ruling queen of Tonga in the first half of the Twentieth Century, an era dominated by male chauvenism. This story of her life and reign provides a wonderful view into the culture and history of this island kingdom. For papalangi (the Tongan word for people of Western society) this is not an easy book because there is a lot of Tongan names, geneology, and customs necessarily involved in the biography of their queen. Yet the very things that make it difficult also make it a rewarding book to read. What makes the book most enjoyable is the portrayal of this marvelous woman who ruled Tonga for almost 50 years. She ruled without use of force during a time of dissent from rival nobles and emerged one of the most revered leaders in Tongan history. She convinced her British advisors of her ability to rule and her island adversaries that their independence depended on her rule. I can recommend this book without reservation to anyone interested in women's studies, international biography, Polynesian history, or British colonial history.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ko e 'Otua Mo Tonga Ko Hoku Tofi'a, February 26, 2000

By	Loteni Powell (Honolulu) - See all my reviews

I sincerely recommend this book for all Tongans out there as well as those who are interested in discovering one of the most beloved Monarchs of our time. Queen Salote was not only a charismatic leader but also a progressive woman who brought Tonga to the forefront of the modern era by re-establishing its past. She restored the cultural pride of her people at a time when native cultures were suffering the ill-effects of Westernization.

This book will be a sweet recollection for those who were fortunate to witness her reign, and it will be a source of inspiration for younger generations who are seeking to learn about their themselves.

Truly, a remarkable book for a most remarkable person!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading, April 18, 2005

By	Will Niupalau "Will Niupalau" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Queen Salote of Tonga: The Story of an Era 1900-1965 (Paperback)

This book is greatly recommended for anyone who has some any remote interest in the personage of Queen Salote or who has any spark of interest in the region that she ruled.
The author, Elizabeth Wood- Ellem, takes an intricate look into the life of one of the world's last remaining monarchies. She further sheds more light on the decision making process that occurred during the late Queen's reign.
While the book is a comfortable read, it also gives the reader a glimpse into Tongan culture and the traditions that were so embellished by the Queen.