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Title: An unusually complete work of quiet patriotism
Review: As King explains, New Zealanders like himself are only a few generations removed from the Western settlement and "founding" of his country. And with such a short recorded history and small population, it's possible for a historian to give a far more complete account than would be possible with almost any other country. King clearly relishes this possibility, devoting well over 500 pages to the personalities, native traditions, heroes, tragedies, political deals, and evolving arts. He attempts a full, non-compartmentalized history, with proportional weight on the evolution of Maori society. Some would say it's too detailed, but that's how King shows his devotion. The book is far too honest to seem nationalistic, yet King's pride is obvious as he looks to an emerging meld of Maori and migrant (Pakeha) culture, that grows more unique as the world goes global.
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