The letters in this book were written by Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart order, who were pioneer Roman Catholic missionaries in Kiribati (the former Gilbert Islands). They sent their first news to the home convent in France in 1895, with the final letter in 1944 covering the period of Japanese occupation. The letters detail the challenges the Sisters faced, their reactions to the local lifestyle and all their work in education, health, religious instruction and the promotion of craftwork. It makes a fascinating read.