Island Peoples of the Western Pacific Micronesia and Melanesia

Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution 1943. Paperback. Very Good. Paperback. Starting in 1941 the Smithsonian published, under the title War Background Studies, twenty-one illustrated booklets on the peoples, geography, history, natural history, and other features of the areas reached by World War II, particularly in and around the Pacific Ocean. The aim was to increase popular understanding of the regions and peoples involved in the conflict. Numerous copies were ordered by the Army and Navy for distribution to service personnel. This is Number Sixteen is the series. The author, Herbert W. Krieger was the Curator, Division of Ethnology, U.S. National Museum. Includes section on Micronesia: Pelew Islands, Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands, Marshal Islands, Gilbert Islands, and Ellice Islands. Also includes section on Melanesia: New Guinea, Bismark Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, New Hebrides and Bank Islands, New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, and Fiji and Polynesian fringe. Numerous black-and-white photographs and two maps.. An interesting historical perspective. Brown paper wraps. Side-stapled. Title in blue to front wrap. Small closed tear to bottom of front wrap, and minor bumping to edges. Pages are yellowed but clean and clear. 104 pages. PAC1/01251.