White Shadows in the South Seas
Publisher: The Century Co.
Published: 1919
Place of publication: New York
Description: Included is an appendices of photos from the 1928 movie of the book, as well as the 60+ photos from the original book.
   'White Shadows in the South Seas' was Frederick O'Brien's first installment of his trilogy of Polynesian travels. While fairly well forgotten now, in the early 1920's, O'Brien created a sensation with his travel books.  'White Shadows' recounts his one year of living amongst the legendary cannibals of the Marquesas Islands, specifically at Atuona on the island of Hiva-Oa.
   In O'Brien's time the island's population had been decimated by the West's diseases and deprecations. Despite that, the old ways could still be found and O'Brien located many who could give first hand knowledge of the cannibal lifestyle.  O'Brien punctuated his prose with amazing photographs which further underscore this unique culture. The photographs are not only truly unique, but they are fascinating to view to this day.
   'White Shadows' enthralled the 1920s public to such a point that a movie was quickly formulated. The movie took the unprecedented approach of filming "on site" but in Tahiti, no the Marquesas. The movie is also noteworthy because it was the first film to have a pre-recorded soundtrack. Additionally, it was the first MGM film to have Leo the Lion roar in the introduction of one of it's movies.
   Consequently, history remembers 'White Shadows' primarily as a movie rather than a book. This is unfortunate because the book is an outstanding look at a cherished muse of Polynesian culture that was quickly vanishing to be altered and distorted by Western values. To this day it is still a terrific book to read and dream about a long forgotten way of life in the South Seas.