Tracing the origins of the Hawaiians and other Polynesians back to the shores of the South China Sea, this title follows their voyages of discovery across the Pacific and presents the history of Hawaiian culture from about one thousand years ago.
“Patrick Kirch's new book takes the reader to many distant islands and pivotal moments of discovery that have helped shape our understanding of the human past. He recognizes the important social experiments that Oceanic societies created through their epic voyages to explore and settle the most distant portions of the planet." –Peter R. Mills, Professor of Anthropology, University of Hawai’i at Hilo
"A Shark Going Inland Is My Chief combines captivating history with Kirch's own personal story. The result is an extremely powerful piece of scholarship and a tremendous read." –David Igler, Associate Professor of History, University of California, Irvine
"An exemplary prehistory written for a popular audience."
