To learn more and delve deeper into the history of our islands and culture, check out these resources. Thanks to Jack Andrews for compiling these resources.

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Micronesian Seminar

Micronesian Seminar is a private non profit, non governmental organization that has been engaged in public education since 1972. Their purpose is to assist the people of Micronesia in reflecting on life in their islands under the impact of change in recent years. Established as a research pastoral institute by the Catholic Church, and turned over to the Jesuit Order in 1992, MicSem serves the people of the Federated States of Micronesia, the republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It has been directed by Fr. Francis X. Hezel, SJ, since its inception.

As part of their mission, MicSem has produced hundreds of articles and several books. Their media studio has produced 72 videos on a wide variety of social issues, which are broadcast on local TV stations and available in DVD format, or online. The internationally recognized MicSem Library boasts 20,580 titles , as well as 61,909 photos and 564 videos on Micronesia. It also contains a collection of 16,132 tracks of Micronesian music. All of this is searchable online. Finally, the MicSem discussion forum continues to grow in popularity, as does their online collection of historical photo albums. Many of the photos above were sourced from these albums.

The TTPI Archives at the University of Hawai’i'

These archives hold the records from the period of American administration of the region. They contain photos and interview from the early TTPI period, documenting the aftermath of the Japanese period and giving insight into the early experience of United State rule.

Strangers in Their Own Land: A Century of Colonial Rule in the Caroline and Marshall Islands by Francis X Hezel, SJ

Strangers in the Own Land is a comprehensive history of the German, Spanish, Japanese, and American periods in the Caroline and Marshall Islands. The book is a great introduction to the political history of Micronesia by Hezel, perhaps the region’s most dedicated historian. Hezel located reems of original material for Strangers, including many primary source documents in German and Spanish. Much of his history on the Japanese period draws heavily on Mark Peattie (below).

Nanʻyō: The Rise and Fall of the Japanese in Micronesia, 1885-1945 by Mark R. Peattie

Nanʻyō covers the Japanese period in the Marshalls, Carolines, and Marianas extensively, drawing heavily on Japanese-language primary sources. This book will give you a lot of information about life under the Japanese occupation.

The Typhoon of War: Micronesian Experiences of the Pacific War
by Lin Power, Suzanne Falgout, and Laurence Marshall Carucci

Typhoon is based on archival research and oral history obtained from interviews with hundreds of Micronesians who lived through the Japanese period. This book is the best place to start seeking Micronesian voices, though it is WW2-oriented.