Hawaii Books

It got to me on time and in good shape! It is a very well written book, great for anyone who is interested in Asiatic history, or borderland disputes.

"Crossed Histories" is a collection of articles written by competent scholars about cultural and subconscious meaning of the term 'Manchuria' in modern Asia. The multi-angled perspective of presenting japanese propaganda movies, utopian city planning, manchurian spy-turned princess and the fate of polish engineers and settlers - builders of the transsiberian railroad provides and interesting journey into the 1930s asian continent and serves as a starting point for anyone interested in that time period. The book hardly fills out the entire subject - rather is like a glimpse into the forgotten world of interwar Manchukuo and an array of cultural meanings it has for several eurasian nations. Becouse of being an inhabitant of Poland, I have my own specific understanding of that exotic realm, complaisant to images existing in my own national memory (the rule of Tsars over polish people, the career of polish intelligentsia on Siberia and our contribution in colonial exploration of Eurasia - which was completely accidental by the way) so it was great to see what 'Manchuria' means for Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and what feelings and memories it awakens in them. When I was in school, I had a friend who was born in a family repatriated from Mukden in 1949, and he posessed completely different mentality, than people that descended from families which have lived in Europe for centuries. In a way, Manchuria links many distant peoples of Eurasia - now they can just explore their interrelations and differences to try build real pan-asian understanding. To be frank, I seriously miss articles covering White Russians, jewish immigrants in Manchuria and indigenious Manchurians of course, they still existed in times of Manchukuo. I have a reason to think, howewer, that thanks to this book such articles will emerge in some time. Great as an intellectual stimulation for more complex studies of interwar Asia, which was undoubtly an ultimate goal of madam Mariko Tamanoi and her colleagues.

Charming story of Daphne's adjustment to a move; a fine reflection of the stresses faced by this child-equivalent. Very helpful in eliciting our children's fear to a move, and providing comfort for their adjustment. Wonderful characters and illustrations.

This is a sweet book about the trama a dog feels when her family puts her in her crate and moves her to Hawaii. Her whole world is turned upside down. Kids can easily relate to the cute little Daphne and her dog buddy porkchop! The pages that feature all the Hawaiian animals that Daphne meets are very funny and so well drawn. The whole book will make you want to go to Hawaii or maybe move there! My daughter loved this book and we aren't even moving!

Walter Lord is a master in what he does.He tells it like it was and tries not to get to technical.Its a simple and easy read that pretty much tells you what you want to know from the men that were on that DAY in history.Just like A Night To Remember another classic.

Popular author and historian Walter Lord has written an excellent book dealing with the attack on Pearl Harbor. This book is different from others on the subject because it deals strictly with the attack itself instead of covering the events leading up to the attack. It wasn't written to be an all-encompassing book about diplomatic manuvering and behind-the-scenes negotiations. Lord's purpose was to describe the attack itself, and he accomplishes his thesis very well. Lord starts his story in the early morning hours of December 7 describing the last night of peace in Hawaii. Many of the servicemen had been attending parties and dances like any other Saturday night. There was no inkling of the impending attack.

Lord does an excellent job of describing the events from both an American and Japanese perspective. Extreme attention is paid to the preparation of the Japanese pilots and crews. He also describes the conditions in Honolulu and aboard the ships anchored in Pearl Harbor. Many of the sailors were returning to their ships from a night out,while others were planning to spend a lazy Sunday ashore. Civillian accounts of the attack are also included in the narrative.

In the span of approximately two hours, the Japanese severely crippled the U.S Pacific Fleet. Over 2000 service personnel were killed and many hundreds more injured. Scores of airplanes were destroyed, and many ships sunk or damaged. (However, the only ships that were complete losses were the Arizona, Oklahoma, and Utah. All others were repaired and returned to service later in the war). Japanese losses were light; twenty nine aircraft shot down and five midget submarines sunk.

This book does an excellent job of describing the attack itself. I've read dozens of books about Pearl Harbor, and I would rate this as one of the best. However, I caution the reader that this book deals strictly with the attack itself. For information about the diplomatic aspect of the attack, I would recommend Gordon Prange's "At Dawn We Slept".

The best survey of Hawaiiana resort architecture and design. Loaded with pictures and well written text.

DESIGNING PARADISE: THE ALLURE OF THE HAWAIIAN RESORT defines the architectural style unique to the Hawaiian resort, adding a history of Hawaiian island tourism in the process. Chapters use drawings, archival images and modern color photos to chart emerging architecture in Hawaii, adding strong cultural notes on the emergence of tourist interests. An excellent guide not only for students of architecture, but for any interested in Hawaiian culture and history.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I borrowed this book from the Library, because my 3-year old daughter wanted a book about dolphins. She just loved it! Will be purchasing this book; it's a keeper!

She especially loves the picture of the bear riding the dolphin in the middle of the story. So cute!

A Dolphin Day in Hawaii is a delightful story about a bear who, on one of his free days surfing, meets a playful dolphin and has a day of adventures exploring both the ocean and land. How the dolphin survives on land, I'll let future buyers find out for themselves. Your kids will love the colorful illustrations that truly exemplify the beauty of Hawaii.

Dolphin Days is a great book about a guy who researched dolphins. It explains their behavior and scientifics without getting boring. I highly recommend it!

As a graduate student in Hawaii, I was fortunate enough to have encounters with dolphins on several snorkle outings. It is certainly a special experience, but stop reading here if you think I am about to launch into a new-age rant about "...how dolphins are helping humans to evolve"!

Norris presents an accessible description about dolphin behavior and the science involved in that study. Although I have a science background, I know little biology, and yet Norris clearly presents this work in terms I could understand, and that any thinking person will be comfortable with. I have since purchased other books by Norris on dolphins, and schedule snorkle trips everytime I visit the Islands. If you have seen the latest IMAX movie "Dolphins" (dedicated to Norris), now is the time to read the book!

This is a great book. It has excellent map, diagrams and oral histories.

I have a dear freind who was there during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and he give it approval which is saying much.

Walter said tehre are only two errors tha he could find. One was a story about a nurse getting a Purple Heart for working hard (Walter said not true) the second error was the chart on page 113. he said the helena and Ogala was shown too far south on the wharf. Walter said they moved further during the attack and Walter had a hand in moving them. He said the Helena was on the wharf and tied up outside of it was the Ogala. Walter said a torpedo went under the Ogala, and blasted the Helena and the resulting blast tore a huge hole in the Ogala causing it to sink.

Walter took the lead in taking the lines off the Ogala and Helena, and tied the Ogala to the wharf while the Helena slipped to the south. The Ogala later capsized, thus Walter helped save the helena from possibly sinking!

Helena thus moved to the south after the bombing.

I recommend this book highly, thank you Mr Stan Cohen.

This is a superior historical review, in pictorial form, of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The 50th Anniversary edition has been greatly expanded to include diagrams and photographs that were not in the original edition. Although of a pictorial nature, the text is scholarly, extremely well-researched and concise. The maps and previously unpublished photographs place the attack in an accurate historical context. This book is in the "must read" classification and it is another diamond among author Stan Cohen's many diamonds.

Historically, it is the second novel that brought about the execution of its writer, Jose Rizal. He is well renowned by his country man as a martyr for speaking against the evils of Spanish Colonialism on the Philippine Archipelago. The Title, 'El Filibusterismo' is itself a daring challenge to the Spanish colonial ruling class of that time, Filibusterismo(Subversive) or those accused of being one is automatically in serious peril.

By itself, it is an independent narrative, but actually it was an intended continuation of the 'Noli Me Tangere'(loosely translated, it means `touch me not`). As well, it is equally contemporary with the treatment of obsession among the ruling class and the question of nationalism, which makes this novel political in nature as well. The difference, however, is that the optimism seen with Crisostomo Ibarra(The protagonist of the Noli Me Tangere) is absent in El Filibusterismo's main character. In the very first scene, on the upper deck of the ferry, we are introduced to a dark character by the name of Simoun. His origin is somewhat questionable at the beginning, but as the story unfolds, those who have read the Noli will soon realize the character's true identity.

It is somewhat Victorian with it's treatment of the characters' emotions, but it shouldn't be surprising. Rizal, who was educated in Europe, actually wrote this novel when he was in England. Somewhat satirical with its portrayal of colonial society, but it is also a romantic tragedy, in which Simoun's intentions regarding the freedom of his country is questioned. Is it out of vengeance? Or is it purely for the betterment of his native land?

It is indeed rhetoric, but as most scholars in the Philippines would say, 'it is superb rhetoric`. The timeline maybe from another world and another age unknown to us. But Rizal's view regarding the issues involved is timeless and universal, especially to those people who experienced oppression. I adore his works and writings. By far, the El Filibusterismo is one of the best stories I've read.

Bravo Rizal! Your words and sentiments will never be forgotten through the accomplishment of this novel. It is now clear why the Filipinos call you their national hero.

Author Jose Rizal was revered, even as a deity in the Philippines, most powerfully by groups known as Rizalistas. El Filibusterismo was recognized as a threat by the Spanish Church; it realizes Rizal's and the Filipino people's inner struggle at the time: to regain freedom and individuality through time or by shedding blood. Ibarra (Rizal's alter-ego) is constantly torn apart by the godlike status bestowed upon him--people look to him for direction--and the knowledge that his people are physically unable to overthrow the Spaniards. He is pushed constantly throughout the book to urge bloodshed. The climactic final chapters are as heart-pounding as the final moment's of the author's life. For Filipinos, it is our Uncle Tom's Cabin, it is Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses, a book that urges political change and challenges powerful institutions at great cost to the people it inspires.

I enjoyed reading Escape To Hawaii very much. It was a fast paced thriller that kept me in suspense up until the very end. I recommend this book as well as this author's first book "Before I Sleep". Both very good!

I enjoyed reading Escape To Hawaii very much. It was a fast paced thriller that kept me in suspense up until the very end. I recommend this book as well as this author's first book "Before I Sleep". Both very good!

What I found particularly fascinating about this book was the way it linked specific places throughout the islands, which can be seen today, with historical lore and people from Hawaii's past. I also enjoyed the way the book brought to life a lot of the mystical, spiritual, side of the Hawaiian geography and tradition. Long ago, when I first visited the beautifully desolate northwest coast of the big island of Hawaii, I had this strange sense that I was not alone. After reading this book, I realize that I, indeed, was not. The spirits of Kamehameha the great, and other warriors of Hawaii's past, live on here.

This is a great book full of beautiful photos. Best of all it guides you to the really interesting places on all the different islands. There are maps, and directions, and under each site stories are told about the site's amazing past. There are interviews with the locals describing their spiritual beliefs regarding the site. You could enjoy this book just to read about Hawaiian history and all the fascinating things that have gone on in these spiritual places. I couldn't put it down.
The book also led me to some really nice places like a blue freshwater pool right by the ocean.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!