First Light: A Magical Journey

by Carol O'Biso

Book Overview

A hilarious account of the cultural clashes, setbacks and final insight which affected O'Biso so deeply while trying to prepare a collection of Maori ancestral treasures for exhibition in the Unites... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557782075
• ISBN13: 9781557782076
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Paragon House Publishers
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Hidden Treasure

I found this book impossible to put down. It was written with such love, attention to detail, and knowledge about what it takes to arrange for one of the world's priceless art collections to leave its ancestral home and travel across the world to be shown in US museums with the appropriate ceremonies included. The laughter, the tears, the wonder and yes, the magic, of this story is gripping from beginning to end. The transformation of the author in this process was as moving as the story of the collection itself as well as the strong presence of the Maori people who had much to teach by the reverence of their ancestors and the vitality of their rituals.

A Rare Gem!

Thought provoking, moving and fun. The story is told in a masterful way that made me laugh, cry and sit-up thinking about it for a week after I read it. The author takes you along on her own personal journey and as her New York City eyes and heart transform into something miraculous so does the readers'. It touches the heart and reminds us of our humanity in the most magnificent way. Read it slowly; you won't want it to end!

Still as insightful in 2005 as when written in 1987

My mother mailed me this book from America to New Zealand because I have recently arrived in NZ and I will be living in New Zealand for the next year. I find Carol O'Bistro's insights about New Zealand culture relevent and insightful for a current long-term visitor. Her writing is lyrical and fun to read. I wonder what she is doing now.

First Light: Shedding the myth of working in museums

One of the most unexpected, wonderful and funny true day to day experiences of a woman who worked for one of the most prestigious museums in the world. Her journey, both physically and spiritually in creating and formalizing a major exhibit of the Maori People of New Zealand on a world tour. Her writing style was easy to read and I am still searching for a copy of my own!