[In Early Man and the Ocean: A Search for the Beginnings of Navigation and Seaborne Civilizations], one of the last of the world's great explorers synthesizes and discusses the implications of his combined studies and travels supporting the diffusionist perspective of the global spread of early man. Drawing on the Ra and Kon-Tiki experiences and on his vast knowledge of early civilization and oceanography. Heyerdahl hypothesizes on such topics as the early settlers of South and Central America and the Pacific Islands and the "paths through the seas" of Columbus, the Vikings, and the Spanish conquistadores. Much of this material has been previously published, and there are no startling revelations or departures. However, the book is a good summation of a brilliant life's work.

Jo-Ann D. Suleiman, in her review of "Early Man and the Ocean: A Search for the Beginnings of Navigation and Seaborne Civilizations," in Library Journal (reprinted from Library Journal, February 15, 1979; published by R. R. Bowker Co. (a Xerox company); copyright © 1979 by Xerox Corporation), Vol. 104, No. 4, February 15, 1979, p. 491.