"The Austrian naturalist Andreas Reischek (1845-1902) author of the classic "Yesterdays in Maoriland", came to New Zealand in 1877 for two years and stayed for twelve. He returned to Vienna in 1889 with the last great collection of artifacts and natural speciments to be taken to Europe from the South Seas -- 14,000 items. After a brief moment of glory he died in poverty and obscurity. He has been hailed by some as one of New Zealand's great explorers and scientists, and he has been vilified by others as an accomplished charlatan who bribed and cheated his way through the Antipodes ... Michael King has set out to proved a lucid and balanced evaluation of his life and work. In the process he brings to light evidence from Austria and New Zealand never before considered, he examines previously neglected German and Austrian links with the colonisation of New Zealand, he opens a window on the world of science in nineteenth century New Zealand ... and he produces new evidence about the nature of Maori life at the time. The author also explores the controversy over whether or not bodies Reischek stole from Maori burial caves should have been returned to New Zealand ..." -- Jacket.