"Deryck Scarr examines the Pacific Islands' indigenous social, economic and political systems and then places in context the post-sixteenth-century European 'discovery' of the Pacific. Cultural, political, trading, social and personal exchanges in Island worlds are described and analysed, from 1767 to the year 2000. Throughout the book, the Island world and its people on land and on the sea are held firmly in the foreground." -- from the dust jacket.

The Pacific Crossing Guide is a complete reference for anyone contemplating sailing the Pacific in their own boat. From ideal timing, suitable boats, routes, methods of communication and provisioning to seasonal weather, departure and arrival ports, facilities, likely costs and dangers, the comprehensiveness of this new edition will both inspire dreamers and instil confidence in those about to depart. This is the definitive reference on the subject, relied upon by many thousands of cruisers. 'The definitive work on Pacific crossings' Cruising 'A magnum opus of excellence' Flying Fish