I enjoyed the well-rounded nature of the book with the daily log of lighthouse keepers from a century ago to the current activity to remember and preserve lighthouses. I think the last chapter is especially effective in going beyond a mere description of the lighthouse life, to how that life instilled values in the keeper's children that are missing from the lives of many children today.

One measure of a book about a travel destination is whether it makes the reader want to visit the sights described in the book. Majestic Lights certainly accomplished that for my wife and me. We have already ordered travel books and maps so we can visit the Apostle Islands.

The most incredible underwater photos yet to be seen of the Maldives; combined with the best dive spots and detailed descriptions. First fully detailed, reliable and accurate maps of all the Islands, a Great book that is a must to any Maldives traveller or scuba enthusiast.

Here is a unique novel about Bodu Thakurulan, who was born Mohamed, the second son of the chief of one of the Maldive Islands. Readable and pertitent to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the work has been highly researched by famed British author Royston Ellis, who writes not only about that part of the world but also has written about the Caribbean. The present story will be a valuable literary work for years to come.

Allen Windsor
New York City

Dimension are 10.5 in x 13 5/8th in. 198 excellent quality color photos with a chapter on Southern Manhattan and The World Trade Center. This is beautiful "coffee table" book!

Whether you know and love Manteo as much as the author does, or you're just beginning to get acquainted, you'll enjoy this thorough and soulful chronicle of the town's first 100 years. Meticulously researched, beautifully written and full of wonderful old (and new) photos, it captures all the charm and quirkiness of the town and the people who built and shaped it.

MANUIOTA'A is much more then a journal of a voyage to Paradise.
It is a story of love.
Every line contains the deep respect and appreciation for the people in these amazing islands. The book gives you an insight in their lives, in much more depth then you ever will get to know yourself. The authors have lived and loved with the Marqueseans and have an insight in their inner feelings and thoughts. Robert and Burgl share this unique situation with us.

The words are fun, easy to read and will put plenty of times a grin on your face.
Without even noticing it, you'll get an accurate knowledge of the culture, geography, history, flora and fauna of the Marquesas without the feeling to be lectured.

The book is a "must read" for travellers who want to discover the Marquesas, but also for any open-minded people who are interested in getting to know a lifestyle and people far away from the usual.

The ideal summer literature- grab the book, a hammock, make your way to the next pool and let MANUIOTA'A take you away into a land full of unknown adventures.

Ulla Lohmann,
freelance journalist (print/photo publications: E.g. New Scientist, Die Welt, Le temps, Newton....) has travelled several times to the Islands. Having encountered the problem of lack of information, she now bases her research around the literature of Robert C. Suggs. Her favourite of his books: MANUIOTA'A.

The is a most important book because it sets the record straign about Margaret Mead. Her book on Samoa created a false understanding of primitive peoples. She went to Samoa to do her PhD dissertation and came back with a myth that supported the prejudices and biases of her graduate advisor, Franz Boas. She purportedly discovered that the Samoans were the personification of Jean Jacque Roussoue's "Noble Savage." There were unspoiled by the vices of Western Civilization. The biggest vice was supposedly the West's repressive sexuality that gave rise to social aggression of various kinds. Derek Freeman blows all of this out of the water. He points out among other things that Mean did not know the language and stayed there only a few weeks. This does not come up to the standards of methodology that anthropologists have come to accept to accurately understand and describe a culture.

This book gives detailed maps of all marine areas from Olympia to Malcom Island. If you are boating these courses...these maps are a must! The book reports any dangerous obstacles that may lie in your path, as well as shows you the best course for your destination.

I recently discovered the plays of Daniel MacIvor, a Canadian actor-playwright I'd seen on the series "Twitch City." He has one of the most original theatrical visions I've encountered, tempered with an amazing generosity in the depiction of character. "Marion Bridge" is about three sisters--a nun, a failed actress and the one who stayed in their small-town home--coming together to care for their dying mother. Unlike most men writing about women, he does not define the women in terms of their relationships with men, nor does he put the women at each other's throats for two acts. Instead, they react like real family members. Sometimes they work together; sometimes they fight. And it's always little things that mark the transition from one stage to another.

I've taken scenes from this play to some acting workshops and all involved have been very impressed with the flow of the dialogue and the effective, totally believable use of humor. I'm surprised nobody has done Mr. MacIvor's plays down here. I hope to do a production of this in the fall. Order this book. You won't be dissappointed.

Pirates, naval warfare, ship wrecks and sunken treasure...this book has it all !

While archeology (even the marine variety) can be a dry subject, Roger C. Smith does an excellent and workmanlike job of extensively documenting the maritime history of the Cayman Islands.

As the son, grandson and nephew of a long line of Cayman Island mariners (my ancestors were among the first permanent settlers) I found the documentation of many of the stories told by my elders to be fascinating.

Today the Islands are best known as a tourist destination and a major player in the world of off-shore banking.

This was not always the case. In the distant through relatively recent past the Cayman Islands were a significant supplier of manpower to the regional and even the world maritime industry.

Mr. Smith documents the maritime evolution of the Cayman Islands with extensive research in the Islands and Europe.

Coupling the research with detailed field work and an ability to write in an informative and entertaning fashion results in a GREAT READ.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in maritime history, pirates, treasure or the Cayman Islands.