Aphrodite's Island is a bold new account of the European discovery of Tahiti, the Pacific island of mythic status in Western imaginings about sexuality, the exotic, and the nobility or bestiality of 'savages'. In this groundbreaking book, Anne Salmond takes readers to the centre of these societies' shared history to furnish rich insights into Tahitian perceptions of the visitors while illuminating the full extent of European fascination with Tahiti. As she discerns the impact and meaning of the European effect on the island, she demonstrates how, during the early contact period, the mythologies of Europe and Tahiti intersected and became entwined. Drawing on Tahitian oral histories, European manuscripts and artworks, and collections of Tahitian artifacts, and illustrated with sketches, paintings, and engravings from the voyages, Aphrodite's Island provides a vivid account of the Europeans' Tahitian adventures. The book's many compelling insights into Tahitian life will significantly change the way we view the history of this small island during a period when it became a crossroads for Europe.

Reviews

Mention of Tahiti still conjures up images of a South Pacific paradise, just as it did for 18th-century European sailors on their voyages of exploration. The reality has always been more complex. Salmond (Maori studies & anthropology, Univ. of Auckland, New Zealand) provides a superbly detailed account of life and culture in 1760s and 1770s Tahiti when the first European explorers arrived in the Society Islands. Seamlessly interweaving information gleaned from English, French, and Spanish written sources that derived from Tahitian oral tradition, she creates an insightful portrait of the complex relationships and webs of misunderstanding that developed between the Tahitians and the explorers. The narrative smoothly explores the intricacies of 18th-century Tahitian political power struggles and the impact that the arrival of European seamen, with their own priorities, ideas, and misconceptions, had on local life. VERDICT Salmond effectively merges historical and anthropological research to create a spellbinding, richly descriptive, and deeply thought-provoking account of late 18th-century Tahitian life and cultural conflict. Thoroughly documented yet highly readable, it will appeal widely to both lay readers and scholars. Highly recommended.-Elizabeth Salt, Otterbein Coll. Lib., Westerville, OH Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.