Oceanic Mythology: The Myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia

Oceanic Mythology: The Myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia by Roslyn Poignant

This book explores myths of Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia and Australia. It includes a large number of pictures and photos and seems to be geared towards a popular audience. However, the text is very dry and academic. Rather than a telling of myths, it is an anthropological study of the mythology of the cultures with some details of the myths tied in. The photos may somewhat relate to the myths, but often just tangentially. Some common features for the myths are explored. It is a pretty dry book. 

Many of the societies were decimated before their culture was documented. How much of these stories had already tied in the encounters with the Europeans? Is it most often those in the least desirable areas that are still around? Are these representative? How were these part of worship versus stories like our super hero stories? It is difficult to tell today.