Island: How Islands Transform the World

In his latest book, Chamberlin (English & comparative literature, emeritus, Univ. of Toronto; Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilizations) approaches his vast subject, the islands of the world, from every angle, peering at islands from perspectives as far off as ancient maps that speculated on the location and geography of many islands, and also examining aspects as intimate as the creation myths of certain island dwellers. This is a sweeping (some may find rambling) series of anecdotes and particulars about islands including, among others, Jamaica, Newfoundland, and Hawaii. Chamberlin is passionate about his study and has collected facts about everything from the native flora and fauna of the Galápagos to the history of the types of vessels used to travel to and from the Polynesian islands. The work is perhaps not focused enough to be used well by scholars, but island lovers of all sorts may find in it some new knowledge to delight them.