The Book of Puka-Puka

By Robert Dean Frisbie

"The Book of Puka-Puka" is a vivid and charming account of life on a remote coral atoll in the South Seas. The narrative follows Robert Dean Frisbie's experiences as a trader on the isolated island of Puka-Puka in the Cook Islands during the early 20th century. Frisbie captures the rhythms of Polynesian life, the eccentricities of the island's inhabitants, and the profound beauty of a place nearly untouched by the modern world.

Through a series of sketches and anecdotes, the work explores themes of solitude, cultural immersion, and the allure of the Pacific. Readers are introduced to the traditional customs, fishing expeditions, and social dynamics of the Puka-Pukan people, all rendered with Frisbie's characteristic wit and keen eye for detail. This classic of travel literature offers a timeless glimpse into a "land of no-hurry," where the passage of time is measured by the tides and the seasons rather than the clock.

As both a memoir and a cultural study, "The Book of Puka-Puka" remains one of the most celebrated works of South Seas literature, capturing the spirit of adventure and the deep human connection found in one of the world's most secluded corners.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025310527
• ISBN13: 9781025310527
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"