Supplement rather than synthesis
Parts of this book seem to be lifted, almost directly, from previously published material and, unfortunately, these are the liveliest parts of the work. The section on the politics of French Polynesia and nuclear testing are a good example of this and it is on these relatively recent events where the study is at its best. As in any compilation the quality of the individual essays varies. Perhaps as broad a synthesis as the title suggests is impossible, and this work does not live up to that promise, but it does serve a useful role as a supplement to more focussed studies and does contain entertaining details.
