The Book of Puka-Puka

By Robert Dean Frisbie

Puka-Puka is a triangular coral reef, some seven miles in circumference with three islands. It frames a lagoon so clear that one can see the coral forests some ten fathoms below. It is the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0935180273
• ISBN13: 9780935180275
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Mutual Publishing
• Length: 353 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Stories from Maori history and culture

I just came back from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, where I read The Book of Puka Puka, and met Johnnie Frisbie, his daughter. The book contains wonderful stories from Maori history and culture on an island that had not been wrecked by the English missionaries. Johnnie would like to republish her books, but they are out of print now. Any ideas on how to get a copy?

Book of Puka Puka---GREAT!!!

This was one of the best books I've ever read. The book is a long narrative of past events and times that Robert Frisbie spent on Puka Puka, one of the most secluded atolls of the Cook Islands. If anyone out there has read and enjoyed "An Island to Oneself" by Tom Neale (of Suwarrow fame), then I HIGHLY recommend this book. Some of Frisbie's descriptions of the atoll itself left me wanting to be there more than anything in the world. He really allows the reader to see just how splendid Puka Puka is. As a warning I would say DON'T read this book UNLESS you are 100% secure with where you are right now...by the time you're done with it, you'll be looking for your own private island.

A snapshot of my people.

I am the President of the Pukapuka people in New Zealand. I was born [1960] and raised on the island atoll of Pukapuka in the northern group of the Cook Islands. Pukapuka lies 10.53 degrees due South by 165.49 degrees due West. Readers should not be confused with another island of the same name in the Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia. Please also note the correct spelling of the name, Pukapuka. Commodore John Byron of the British ship "HMS Dolphin" sighted Pukapuka in 1765 but could not land due to rough waves breaking across the coral reef, named Pukapuka "Isles of Danger" or Danger Island as it is sometimes shown on nautical maps.Ropati[Robert], has captured for me a panoramic glimpse of my 'tupuna' [ancestors]. Several of the charaters in his book are in my geneology. In fact William the heathen is actually my great great grand father who passed away at the age of 116. Through the genes in my body I proud to be their link into the future.Ropati, through his marrige to Nga has contributed to the survival of our people which is estimated to be around 5000 worldwide.Our people will always be greatful to Ropati for the part he played in the recording of our culture through his writings, much of which I would love to get my hands on particularly the articles he wrote for The Atlantic Monthly 1928 - 1936. Would appreciate any help and please look us up.

The author is more interesting than his work

If you want to learn more about Frisbie, stuff that will break your heart, read the final chapter in "The Forgotten One and other true tales of the South Seas" by James Normal Hall. Hall was the first person to meet Frisbie when the latter stepped off the boat in Tahiti, and remained Frisbie's mentor and friend for almost 40 years. Frisbie sacrificed his life for a book he never wrote, and left his four kids orphans. Hall also mentions that Frisbie actually wrote the two books credited to his daughter.

correction and additions to existing review

One small correction: Puka-Puka is *not* in French Polynesia, but in the northern group of Cook Islands (NZ).And an expansion: The author's daughter, Florence Frisbie, a.k.a. Whiskey Johnnie, a.k.a. Tiani, herself wrote two books of enduring interest on this and allied subjects: *Miss Ulysses of Puka-Puka* and *The Frisbies of the South Seas.* The former was described by her father, accurately enough for its time, as the first book ever published by a native Polynesian.Whether she is still alive I do not know. (She would be about 67.) If so, she still owes us a third book, on the historical and navigational chants of the old-timers.