DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS
This pamphlet of bibliographic material on the Pacific islands has been
compiled by research analysts of the US Army Library in response to a
continuing need for sources of current information on that area. To
many Americans, mention of the Pacific islands evokes the image of palm
trees, grass skirts, endless beaches and primitive cultures. These
obviously exist, but such a simplistic picture of a complex area is
misleading. Pacific Oceania is an area of change where the traditions
and institutions of centuries are rapidly being discarded or changed
in hope of achieving progress and modernization in a very short period
of time.
World attention has focused on the Pacific islands as a result of
historic events that have occurred in that area since the turn of the
century and which were of significance to both Asia and the rest of
the world. It is certainly in the best interest of the United States
that military and civilian officials at all echelons of government
keep abreast of the many changes in Pacific Oceania.
A fuller compre-
hension of the region, its peoples and current trends is important if
we are to deal intelligently with the complex events to take place in
that area of the world in the future.
RICHARD & STILWE
Lieutenant General, GS
Deputy Chief of Staff
for Military Operations