A History of the Pacific Islands traces the human history of nearly one-third of the globe over a 50,000 year span. This is history on a grand scale, taking the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia from prehistoric culture to the present day through a skillful interpretation of scholarship in the field. Fischer's familiarity with work in archaeology and anthropology as well as in history enriches the text, making this a book with wide appeal for students and general readers.