Book reviews

Citation

Teare, R. (2006), "Book reviews", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 18 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijchm.2006.04118eae.001

Book reviews

Paulias Matane2001121 pp.ISBN 81-7476-323-6

Papua New Guinea: Land of Natural Beauty and Cultural Diversity

Paulias Matane and M.L. Ahuja2005124 pp.ISBN 81-239-1257-9,

Both books are available from: CBS Publishers & Distributors, 4596/1-A, 11 Darya Ganj, New Delhi, 110002, India, available from: www.cbspd.com or enquiries by e-mail to cbspubs@vsnl.com

During the past few years, business travel has taken me to some exotic locations and given me the opportunity to meet some remarkable people, none more so than Sir Paulias Matane, Head of State and eighth Governor-General of Papua New Guinea.

Sir Paulias began his career as an assistant teacher at Torna Village Higher School, East New Britain, in Papua New Guinea’s islands region, in 1957. He later became one of the first Papua New Guinean heads of a Government Department before independence, and served as the country’s first Ambassador to the USA and Mexico, Permanent Representative at the United Nations, and High Commissioner to Canada, before returning home to become Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is the first Papua New Guinean to visit all of the world’s seven continents. Until recently he was a regular newspaper columnist, with his own weekly television programme and he is the author of 36 books. A recipient of the United Nations Peace Medal in 1980, he was awarded an OBE in 1975, CMG in 1980, Kt in 1986 and GCMG and KStJ in 2004. He is also the holder of honorary doctorates from Papua New Guinea’s two leading universities.

I first met Sir Paulias in September 2004 when he had just arrived in London. He had spent almost two days travelling from Papua New Guinea to receive his knighthood. Although he was tired from travelling, we met and talked about his passions for people and tourism development. We met again in November 2005 in Papua New Guinea and he gave me copies of the two books which are profiled here.

Management for Excellence reveals the author’s passion for self-development and commitment to modern management approaches. As a manager, Sir Paulias is largely self-taught, yet here he reveals a wealth of insight and experience in book which is engaging, witty and insightful. The aim here is to equip prospective and experienced managers alike with the a new vision of the possibilities for personal growth by striving for management excellence at work. The format is easy to follow and read, with some 60 sections dealing with just about every attitude, behaviour and skill that managers could “model” via their own approach to professional management. The book also reminds the reader that a manager has to deal with a steady succession of problems and that success lies in overcoming them. For example, the author deals with ways of bringing disagreement out into the open with the aim of building consensus among individuals and groups and ways of facilitating cohesive team work. This is not a conventional text book, but a guide to the on-going journey of managerial work and it contains a rich vein of wisdom and insight on the practicalities of dealing with a complex and demanding role.

Papua New Guinea: Land of Natural Beauty and Cultural Diversity reflects the author’s intimate knowledge of Papua New Guinea – one of the most unspoilt, diverse and beautiful places on earth. Sir Paulias also conveys the enormous potential for eco-tourism development in a country that encompasses around 600 small islands and more than 800 languages! This carefully researched book offers a panoramic view of the land, the people and the government of the country and with it, a graphic account of Papua New Guinea’s distinctive and diverse cultures. The authors have also included a host of maps, photographs and information for tourists and those seeking an authoritative reference source.

If you are interested in the practice of management and the possibilities for eco-tourism development in a truly unique environment, then these books by Sir Paulias Matane are both inspiring and insightful resources.

Richard TeareEditor