Though short, this was a thorough and insightful study of the culture of Palau in the late 1940s-early 1950s -- just the sort of anthropological book to read if you want to learn but aren't all that interested in the subject as a whole. Although Palau had been in the hands of no less than three colonial occupiers from three continents over the short space of 1900 - 1950, in many ways their citizens didn't even seem to notice the difference.

I do confess I was a bit disturbed by the author's assertion that "It has been difficult for the Palauans to learn to make decisions for themselves" and that they would actually prefer to be governed, but I'm not sure whether he meant it condescendingly or whether he meant the Palauans as a people are very easy-going and like to leave well enough alone.

I wish I could find something about Palau in more recent years, to see how much the past half-century has changed the face of the island since Dr. Barnett wrote this. ( )