The Wonder Story of the World: How the Islands of Polynesia Were Settled and How We Know

FAIN: FZ-231375-15

Christina Abbott Thompson
President and Fellows of Harvard College (Cambridge, MA 02138-3800)

A book on the colonization of the Pacific, combining research from the fields of history, mythology, anthropology, and linguistics.

"The Wonder Story of the World" is a book about the settlement of Polynesia by the ancient voyagers of the Pacific. Combining research in several different fields—from history and mythology to anthropology and linguistics—it traces attempts to solve what was long known as "The Problem of Polynesian Origins." When Europeans first reached the Pacific, they were amazed to discover people on even the remotest islands. Over the course of the next several hundred years, various scenarios were envisioned: that the islanders were the remnants of a lost civilization, that they were Aryans, or American Indians, or descendants of ocean-going migrants from Taiwan. This book tells the story of these and other theories, of the evidence for them, and of the contexts in which they arose. It is a study in historical problem-solving which takes as its starting point one of the most extraordinary chapters in human history: the Polynesian colonization of the largest ocean in the world.

Media Coverage

Publisher's Weekly starred review (Review)
Publication: Publisher's Weekly
Date: 11/5/2018
Abstract: Industry review
URL: http://https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-206087-7

An Enlightenment Person: PW talks to Christina Thompson (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Eric Norton
Publication: Publisher's Weekly
Date: 11/2/2018
Abstract: Interview with author
URL: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/78490-an-enlightenment-person-pw-talks-with-christina-thompson.html

Book Preview: "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia" (Scout Cambridge) (Review)
Author(s): Jillian Kravatz
Publication: Scout Cambridge
Date: 1/14/2019
Abstract: Review of Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia

Kirkus Review (Review)
Publication: Kirkus
Date: 11/21/2018
Abstract: Review of "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia"
URL: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christina-thompson/sea-people/

How was Polynesia Populated? Two New Books Explore the Pacific's Mysteries (NYTBR) (Review)
Author(s): Simon Winchester
Publication: New York Times Book Review
Date: 5/14/2019
Abstract: Book review
URL: http://https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/books/review/polynesian-history-christina-thompson-sea-people.html

8 New Books We Recommend This Week (NYT) (Media Coverage)
Publication: New York Times
Date: 5/23/2019
Abstract: Editor's Choice: Staff Picks from the Book review
URL: http://https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/books/review/8-new-books-we-recommend-this-week.html

Books in Brief (Nature) (Review)
Publication: Nature
Date: 3/7/2019
Abstract: Book review
URL: https://www.nature.com/nature/volumes/567/issues/7748#ThisWeek

13 New Books for spring break trips (Nat Geo) (Review)
Author(s): Amy Alipio
Publication: National Geogrpahic
Date: 3/6/2019
Abstract: Book review
URL: http://https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/13-books-for-spring-break-travel/

'Sea People' review: The Globe's Greatest Explorers (WSJ) (Review)
Author(s): Richard Conniff
Publication: The Wall Street Journal
Date: 3/15/2019
Abstract: Book review
URL: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sea-people-review-the-globes-greatest-explorers-11552659111

Best-Selling Books: Week ended June 8 (WSJ) (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Richard Conniff
Publication: The Wall Street Journal
Date: 6/13/2019
Abstract: WSJ Bestseller List
URL: hthttps://www.wsj.com/articles/best-selling-books-week-ended-june-8-11560455811

How one people came to inhabit 10 million square miles of the Pacific (Boston Globe) (Review)
Author(s): Michael Upchurch
Publication: The Boston Globe
Date: 4/4/2019
Abstract: Book Review
URL: https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2019/04/04/how-one-people-came-inhabit-million-square-miles-pacific/GbVC3BEh0txxeajjDUWPYL/story.html

The Tide-Beating Heart of Earth (Harper's) (Review)
Publication: Harper's Magazine
Date: 5/1/2019
Abstract: Book review/essay
URL: https://harpers.org/archive/2019/05/sea-people-the-puzzle-of-polynesia-christina-thompson-review/

Nonfiction Book Reviews (Inkslinger) (Review)
Publication: The Inkslinger
Date: 4/1/2019
Abstract: Book review
URL: https://www.kingsenglish.com/sites/kingsenglish.com/files/inks_spring19%20final.pdf

'Sea People' Examines the Origins and History of Polynesia (NPR) (Review)
Author(s):
Publication: NPR
Date: 3/13/2019
Abstract: Book review

Associated Products

Sea People Tidbits (Blog Post)
Title: Sea People Tidbits
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Series of posts outlining interesting facts and details from the research for Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Date: 02/24/2016
Primary URL: http://www.christinathompson.net/blog/
Primary URL Description: Personal website featuring information about author and book project.
Blog Title: Sea People Tidbits
Website: christinathompson.net

Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia (Book)
Title: Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Author: Christina Thompson
Editor: Gail Winston
Abstract: Polynesians, who for a millennium or more have occupied the remotest islands in the Pacific Ocean, can trace their roots back to a group of epic voyagers who first explored this vast expanse in one of the greatest adventures in human history. Sailing in large, double-hulled canoes, without the benefit of maps, writing, or metal tools, they were the first and, until the era of European discovery, the only people ever to have reached this part of the world. Today, they are widely acknowledged as the greatest navigators in all of human history. Sea People tells the story of this great migration, surveying the history of attempts to explain who these ancient voyagers were, when they lived, where they came from, and how they managed to colonize every habitable island in this vast expanse.
Year: 2019
Publisher: Harper (HarperCollins)
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 978-006206087

Lectures given aboard the ORION (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Lectures given aboard the ORION
Abstract: Three lectures given aboard the ship ORION on a Lindblad/National Geographic expedition to French Polynesia
Author: Christina Thompson
Date: 06/26/18
Location: French Polynesia

The Puzzle of Polynesia: Prehistoric Settlement of the Remote Pacific (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Puzzle of Polynesia: Prehistoric Settlement of the Remote Pacific
Abstract: Talk to the Lincoln Council on Aging about the book Sea People
Author: Christina Thompson
Date: 04/24/17
Location: Lincoln, MA

Down the Research Rat Hole (Article)
Title: Down the Research Rat Hole
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: While writing her forthcoming book about Polynesia, the author discovered the work of Teuira Henry, a scholar and folklorist who studied ancient Tahiti.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://daily.jstor.org/
Primary URL Description: JSTOR Daily
Access Model: open acces
Format: Journal
Publisher: JSTOR Daily

Sea People Book Launch, Harvard Book Store (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Sea People Book Launch, Harvard Book Store
Abstract: Book launch
Author: Christina Thompson
Date: 03/12/2019
Location: Harvard Book Store
Primary URL: http://http://www.harvard.com/

Tracing the Incredible Journey of Polynesians Around the Globe (Article)
Title: Tracing the Incredible Journey of Polynesians Around the Globe
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Extract from Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://lithub.com/tracing-the-incredible-journey-of-polynesians-around-the-globe/
Access Model: online open access
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: LitHub
Publisher: LitHub

On board the canoe that proved ancient Polynesians could cross the Pacific (Article)
Title: On board the canoe that proved ancient Polynesians could cross the Pacific
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Extract from Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.popsci.com/sea-people-excerpt
Secondary URL: https://www.popsci.com/sea-people-excerpt
Access Model: online open access
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Popular Science
Publisher: Popular Science

The History of the Experimental Voyaging Movement (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The History of the Experimental Voyaging Movement
Abstract: Talk on the history of the Experimental Voyaging Movement from Heyerdahl to the Hokule'a
Author: Christina Thompson
Date: 03/25/2019
Location: The Explorers Club, New York City

Sea People Book Talk, Concord Bookshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Sea People Book Talk, Concord Bookshop
Abstract: Book launch for Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia
Author: Christina Thompson
Date: 04/07/2109
Location: Concord Bookshop, Concord, MA

The Enduring Mysteries of How Polynesian Was Settled (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: The Enduring Mysteries of How Polynesian Was Settled
Director: Jamie Bologna
Producer: Walter Wuthmann
Abstract: Radio interview with Christina Thompson, author of Sea People
Date: 03/29/2019
Primary URL: https://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2019/03/29/mysteries-polynesia-settled
Access Model: open access
Format: Radio
Format: Web

Some Kind of Kin (Article)
Title: Some Kind of Kin
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Essay on traveling in Polynesia
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://orionmagazine.org/
Access Model: subscription only
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: Orion magazine
Publisher: The Christopher Reynolds Foundation

Being an Outsider (Article)
Title: Being an Outsider
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Essay on raising hapa (bi-cultural) kids
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/well/family/on-being-an-outsider.html?login=smartlock&auth=login-smartlock
Access Model: open access
Format: Newspaper
Publisher: New York Times

Polynesian Navigation: Voyaging in the Unknown (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Polynesian Navigation: Voyaging in the Unknown
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Paper presented to the Santa Fe Institute at a conference entitled Search and Decision-Making
Date: 04/25/2019
Primary URL: https://www.santafe.edu/

Discussant: Session on wave piloting in Micronesia (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Discussant: Session on wave piloting in Micronesia
Author: Christina Thompson
Abstract: Discussant: session on Wave Piloting in Micronesia, paper delivered by John Huth
Date: 05/08/2019
Primary URL: https://hssonline.org/conferences/ann-ocean-island-shore-placing-the-global-pacific-in-the-age-of-climate-change-workshop/

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