Bright Sketches of Life
p. 88 · Read in the full issue
Life in Samoa
“Polynesian Paradise”, by Ronald William Taylor, is a well-written book about life in Western Samoa, and incidents observed by the author and his wife during the several years they spent in the Trustee Terri tory as missionaries.
They lived first in Savaii: and then Mr. Taylor became the principal of the Seventh day Adventists’ Vailoa Mis sionary College.
They returned to their own country ( Australia ) in 1956.
The publishers say of this record of a missionary’s service: “It is a truly fascinating ad venture story, simply because the author’s zest and humour make every day a surprise.”
That is not exaggeration.
The book is not only readable but, because of its author’s missionary conscience, it also is a dependable record of village life in Samoa in the middle of the 20 th century.
One notes the usual tech nique of the American pub lisher—the use of the word “Paradise” in the title. We have had a score of American published books in recent years, with “Paradise” worked into the name-plate. Life in the Islands is very pleasant—but the Islands are no nearer Paradise than is San Francisco or Timbuctoo.
—R.W.R.
Polynesian Paradise, By Ronald
William Taylor. Our copy from Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California.