Hawaii Books

"Paradise: Road to Hana, Maui" is more than just a vacation guide, it is a crystal clear picture window into the exotic and beautiful destination that is Hana, Maui. This gentle travelogue reminds us all to slow down and take the time to appreciate the beauty and Aloha that surrounds us. Even if you have not been to Hawaii personally, this book captures the history, personality, and feelings of the islands which are obviously dear to the hearts of the authors. The clean design lends itself to relaxing enjoyment of the enchanting photographs and the meandering drive to Hana. Much more than just an ultimate destination or vacation spot, the inherent spirituality of Hana has been infused into the pages allowing the reader to enter and enjoy the experience from anywhere books can be read! Take this small book with you on your journey so you don't miss a single attraction, or better yet, keep it safely at home to share your wonderful vacation memories over and over again.

Parks and Plates: The Geology of Our National Parks, Monuments and Seashores clearly and concisely describes the geological processes which formed the most spectacular, familiar and beloved landscapes in America. Balancing the fast-moving text are richly illustrated explanations of geological ideas and terminology and helpful color photographs depicting specific examples. The author identifies which parks reflect which geological forces leaving the reader with a desire to pack up and visit each park.

Ileto's book is a wonder and the first to ever draw parallels between Western and Southeast Asian traditions especially the practice of the Pasyon. Outwardly, the pasyon looks every bit a practice that can be deemed bizarre. Participants reenact Jesus Christ's punishment and crucifixion. Ileto enables the reader to draw insight between the practice and draw its origins from from both Western and Eastern trraditions. A must for any student of Southeast Asian studies.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Changing Worlds
Christian Brides
Intrepid Pilgrims
Dearest Friends
Pious Wives
Prudent Helpmeets
Faithful Mothers
Devoted Missionaries
Family Fortunes
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Business historian Mansel Blackford does a fine job in highlighting several key environmental issues concerning U.S. development in the region known as the "Pacific Rim." As Blackford himself points out in his conclusion, there have been many environmental studies done on particular issues in the Pacific. Many of these have tended to be highly detailed and technical, and therefore not acessible to the general public. One of the positive aspects of this book is that it is highly readable, quite a feat when considering the complex issues Blackford tackles in his book.

I found Blackford's chapter on the island of Guam particularly fascinating. Here, Blackford focuses on three important issues: the controversy over the U.S. Navy's decision in the early 1970s to build an ammunition wharf at Sella Bay, efforts by the Federal Government to establish two national parks during the same period, and the devestating enviromental impact of the brown tree snake. Blackford ultimately argues that the Navy was forced to incorporate political, cultural, and environmental concerns into a compromise package that spared Sella Bay, and which helped spur the development of tourism on Guam.

I also found Blackford's analysis of legislator and Chamorro rights activist Paul Bordallo surprisingly nuanced and incisive. Blackford largely avoids the binary trap of "government" versus "natives" by illustrating the opposition Bordallo faced from Chamorros and local residents, as well as U.S. Navy and Federal officials, in fighting to stop development at Sella Bay. Guam government officials and businessmen saw a good deal in exchanging Sella Bay with the Navy for greater civillian access to port facilities in Apra Harbor. Bordallo disagreed, arguing that Sella Bay's pristine environment must be preserved for future generations of Chamorros, local residents, and tourists to enjoy. Bordallo's vision, with the support of fifteen thousand signatures from local residents, ultimately prevailed, and one of Guam's most scenic locations was spared from becoming an ammunition wharf.

Overall, "Pathways to the Present" is a well-written examination of several cases of U.S. development in the Pacific Rim. Blackford does an excellent job in including both the "big picture" issues and the smaller "pictures" of indigeneous peoples, local residents, and individuals. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone familiar or unfamiliar with U.S.-Pacific history.

Living in Hawaii one often has to reckon with visiting family/friends and this is the book I give them before I send them on their island travels. The information is accurate and practical-the kind of material that helps you meet your travel needs. There are some contemporary cultural events (on Oahu especially) that are covered in the book that will contribute to the Hawaii experience for the first time visitor as well as the returning one.

This text, Battle Book No. 10 in the Ballantine Illustrated History of World War II Series, is truly a gem.

While clearly an early text in the Pearl Harbor string of books, and just 160 pages long, it provides many notable comments on a wide range of topics. For those interested in one of the first "takes" on Pearl Harbor, this supplies a very good start.

PERL HARBOR

This book was about the war in pearl harbor. It said that the japanis people that were in the war got some of their plains. they had 350 plains that went to the perl hrabor. only 29 were lost. The war was taken in Hawii.It was taken in the land, it was very small. this book was very interesting because it was talking about the guy in the erly 1800 that he was the ruler of jupan and that the guy that said that he wanted war was very mean. this book was very good because it was very realistic.

very insightful as to the acts that would be come upon the attack on pearl harbor. very well written essays that explain different views on how other countries perceived the attack.

Pearl Harbor Recalled with text by James P. Delgado and illustrations by Tom Freeman places the attack in a new perspective. In place of multiple poor quality black and white prints which is all we have to envision the Day of Infamy, Tom Freeman has supplied a visually stunning chronology of the attack beginning with aerial views of the harbor as the attack commenced and ending with a beatiful view of the battleship Arizona as she lies today in the mud of Pearl Harbor. Each episode in the drama is portrayed from the sailing of the Kido Butai (First Striking Force) to the launching of the midget submarines to the first skirmish with the latter and Tone's scout plane confirming the presence of the fleet in harbor. Freeman then potrays the assaults on US airfields preventing any air opposition and then the smashing of battleship row, culminating with a breathtaking portrayal of the Arizona blowing up at approximately 810 am. Individual heroics are portrayed with one G.I. firing his .45 caliber pistol at an A6M Zero as it races close overhead and firemen putting out fires at Hickam Field.
The vast expanse of the fiery inferno is vividly portrayed and places the attack on Pearl Harbor in the world of color for I believe the first time. If not the first, then it is certainly the best artistic impression made of the attack, well researched and executed. Mr. Delgado's narrative is informative and complements the paintings extremely well. This is an excellent book which I would recommend to any naval student, wargamer or naval historian.