Hardcover published by Viking 1989

The Moriori of the Chatham Islands have long been regarded by Europeans as one of the mystery peoples of the South Seas. Their culture seemed more primitive than any other in the Pacific. Their origins were said variously to be negroid, Jewish, Melanesian, Polynesian and sub-Antarctic. The Maori of New Zealand despised them and called them black fellas.
The Moriori race, the world was informed, became extinct when its last member died in 1933.
In this book historian Michael King clears away all the nonsense and rumour that have surrounded the Moriori. He identifies clearly who they were and where they came from. He shows that Moriori culture was a perfect adaptation to a harsh environment. And that they were not a race and far from extinct...

This one in excellent condition and hard to fault Some slight scuffing to rear dustjacket panel

Vintage photos, maps and drawings 226pp