I haven't read this one for at least 30 years. I bought it (hardback) recently for its evocative ancient colour photos.
10 years ago I read the Ra expedition, which was very boring, and the Kontiki one, which was more interesting but just a description of months at sea. As a scientist, Heyerdahl is OK, but flawed. He proves that something can be done, not that it was done that way. But one problem is that what can be done (from his point of view) demands a huge amount of received knowledge which the ancients didn't have and possibly his pride in his Viking ancestry, which means his motivations are not what ancient motivations would have been. ( )

I know nothing about how Heyerdahl is viewed by anthropologists, but I do know he writes a compelling story, has interesting theories and does more than sit in his armchair to talk about them. I really enjoyed his descriptions of Easter Island and the things they discovered there. ( )

I read this book shortly after it was published. The author tries to solve the mystery of the giant stone statues left on the island. He employs some of the natives to actually carve and stand one of these statues. It is a great story from an author who is not afraid to come up with a theory and try to prove it. ( )

Hardcopy, 367 pp, Collectors First Edition published by The Book Society Ltd. English Edition 1958.

A great read, with lots of photos. ( )

The account by an archeologist of a 1955 expedition to Easter Island and other Polynesian idslands. Presents a series of mysteries: Where were the stone statues made? Who did it? How?

Heyerdahl relentlessly solves these issues. He explores hidden caves conducts a dig on Rapa Iti and other islands.

Moving the 10-ton megalithic moai. After notable discussions with native guides, he shows how it was likely to have been done -- this is not a great mystery, as the stones were left really in all stages of preparation. The mystery of why, and why not, remain.