Book Description The South Pacific is about the 28 islands, nations and territories of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. Indigenous and external influences are creating new and unique arts, cultures, identities, societies, economies and politics of extreme diversity. Future trends are explored, but the main focus is on the present. After 100 years or more of control by mainly European nations, but also Japan and Indonesia, Pacific peoples are working out their destinies in a complex environment in which East Asia plays an escalating role. The book is an important contribution to understanding the Pacific, the Third World and the development debate. Because of the wealth of issues covered, the fascinating truths revealed and the simplicity of style, it will be welcomed by general readers as well as by serious scholars of the Pacific.--Publishers description.