Allen P. Stayman, U.S. Compact of Free Association Negotiator
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, particularly reading the history of Bikini in the words of the people.

Robert C. Kiste, Director, Center for Pacific Islands Studies, U. of Hawai'i
Niedenthal's use of oral history enables the Bikinians to tell their own story. A welcome contribution to Pacific studies."

Book Description
An insider's look at the people of Bikini Atoll, site of 23 U.S. nuclear weapons tests from 1946-54, including the largest hydrogen bomb ever tested by the United States. This important second edition of this book, with a new Foreword by Dr. Leonard Mason, journeys through the Marshallese and Bikinian cultures from ancient to modern times. Author Jack Niedenthal relates the history of the people he has lived with for almost 20 years via interviews with Bikinian leaders and elders, and through his personal experiences. This is a view of history from the islanders' perspective. The book also contains historical information about the 67 nuclear tests conducted in the Marshall Islands by the U.S., information about the dive program and the ships at rest in Bikini Atoll's lagoon, updated demographics about the people and the geography of their island, and updated sources for researchers of Bikini Atoll's history. A great guidebook for anyone visiting Bikini Atoll, filled with facts about the people, their islands, and their history.

About the Author
Having lived, studied and worked in the Marshall Islands from 1981 until the present, author Jack Niedenthal speaks fluent Marshallese. His wife, Regina, is a Bikini islander. They have four children. His first six years in the Marshalls were all spent in the isolated jungles of the outer islands. He was a Peace Corps volunteer on Namu Atoll (1981-84). He then contracted to work with the Bikini Council on Kili Island (1984-late 1986) teaching English to the adults, teaching in the elementary school and working with the Kili/Bikini/Ejit Local Government Council. After the death of former Trust Liaison, Ralph Waltz, he was asked by the Council to begin work as the Trust Liaison for their local government (1987 to present). Duties of the Trust Liaison for the People of Bikini include the management and coordination of the funds allocated by the United States government to compensate the Bikinians for their suffering and to facilitate the radiological cleanup of Bikini Atoll. He acts as a liaison for the Council to the media, the U.S. government and its various agencies, the scientists who work on Bikini, the Bikini Council’s attorney, trustees, money managers, construction companies, engineers, project managers, auditors and business associates. The Trust Liaison also coordinates travel schedules, is used as an advisor and translator, manages the Bikinians’ scholarship program, and is responsible for the Bikini Council’s accounting. He also manages the Bikini Atoll Dive Program for the Bikinians He has published a number of articles and photos about the people of Bikini in World View magazine, The Health Physics Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle and others.