Oceania Books

Here we are at the end of the From Sea to Shining Sea, Second Series, and if there is one thing I have learned about the 50th state in the past year it is that the correct spelling is Hawai'i and not Hawaii (but apparently it is still Hawaiians and not Hawai'ians). Not that P.J. Neri explicitly points that out in Introducing the Aloha State, Chapter One of this informative and colorful book. She simply uses the correct spelling about a dozen times on those first two pages. Even if the correct spelling of Hawai'i is not familiar to young readers most of what Neri says come to mind when people think of the state will be: the bombing of Pearl Harbor, lava flows and fountains of fire, pineapples, hula dancing, and ukuleles. Neri builds on that common knowledge to teach young students about the geography, history, government, people and places of the 50th state.

Chapter Two, The Land of Hawai'i, begins with the basic geological fact that the archipelago is not really a group of islands but really the tops of volcanic mountains. The other volumes in this series cover the different geographical regions of each state, but with Hawai'i that is not the case. Instead, Neri explains how each island has a nickname, an island color, and an official island flower or shell (e.g., O'ahu, "The Gathering Place," Yellow, "ilima"). She also covers how the tops of these volcanoes became lush green island paradises over time. However, it turns out there are several different climate regions in the islands (who would have expected a photograph of a snowboarder flying down the snow-covered slopes of Mauna Kea).

Chapter Three, Hawai'i Through History, begins with Polynesian pioneers sailing their canoes 2,000 miles to these islands and becoming the first Hawaiian settlers. Neri explains the Hawaiian culture that developed before getting around to the arrival of the Europeans and the destruction of the islands' sandalwood forests, harvested to be sold to the Chinese, in just 25 years. A section is devoted to the reign of Kamehameha the Great, the chieftain who united all of the islands under his rule, and another to the end of the kapu system. Hawai'i was recognized as an independent kingdom in 1826 by the United States, and what proved to be the undoing of the kingdom was the Great Mahele (land division) of 1848 and the rise of the sugarcane plantations, which eventually lead to the annexationists (if Hawai'i was annexed, then planters would not have to pay taxes to sell its sugar in the U.S.). Hawai'i n the 20th century is the story of pineapple plantations, tourism, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and finally statehood in 1959. However, the final section looks at the economic problems the state has suffered in recent years because economic problems in Asia and September 11th have both significantly reduced tourism to the islands.

Chapter Four, Governing Hawai'i begins with quick looks at the three branches of state government, and then Neri takes us on a tour of Honolulu, the state capital. A map of downtown Honolulu shows the location of key things to see, from the 'Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the U.S., to the King Kamehaemha the Great Statue and the Aloha Tower. The final chapter is about The People and Places of Hawai'i, with sections devoted to what they do for sports and work, and including a delicious recipe for Hawaiian Tropical Delight, which involves pineapples, coconut, mangos, mandarin oranges, and miniature marshmallows. Neri also covers Native Hawaiians today before taking her young readers on a tour of Hawai'i island by island to point out what you can see and do on each (how many people who visit Hawai'i actually visit all eight of the big islands?). The accompanying full color photographs remind you how spectacular the sights are in Hawai'I and the next time I go there I am going to spend more than a half-hour there and leave the airport.

There is additional information throughout the book provide in a series of sidebar categories. Who's Who is Hawai'i highlights key figures from Father Damien and Lydia Paki Kamekaha Lili'uokalani to Daniel K. Inoye and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. Find Out More sidebars suggest topics for further research (e.g., what is being done to save the Hawaiian monk seal from extinction), while the Extra! Extra! sidebars explain the hula dance and the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Other sidebars are devoted to Famous Firsts (e.g, first revolving restaurant), What's in a Name? (e.g., Mauna Loa means "long mountain"), and a few key words of Hawaiian under the heading Special Language (e.g., "hale" means house). These little tidbits can help punch up a school report on Hawai'i.

The back of the book offers a Hawai'i Almanac consisting of two-pages of fast facts about the state seal and flag, key statistics, and a list of various products and state symbols. A Timeline contrasts Hawai'i state history on the top with U.S. history on the bottom, while the Gallery of Famous Hawaiians includes not only Do Ho and Bette Midler, but Jason Scott Lee and Ellison Onizuka. After the Glossary of key turns from "ahupua'a" to "tsunami," Neri provides a page of web sties, books and addresses that young students can turn to For More Information if for some reason they consider that necessary. But the From Sea to Shining Sea series does a nice job of fleshing out the basic elements of a geography and history book so that young students should find plenty to work with for a school report on any of the fifty states (or Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.). The first series was pretty good, but the second series is definitely better and there are bonus points for the way the color of the border of the cover always compliments the cover photograph.

Like taking a trip back in time to the Hawaii we all wish remained. A vacation without the jetlag. Fantastic resource for graphic designers, artists and a wonderful gift for anyone who loves Hawaii. Full color photos throughout are fantastic.

Its really good to know that we have an amazing country with amazing people. I am glad to be living in such a country.

This book is great, it provided me with the enormous amount of information needed to help me research about Afghanistan and learn more about my country.

College-level collections will find Historical Dictionary of India a powerful addition to the series of historical dictionaries of Asia and the Mid-East: its updated second edition offers over a hundred new cross-referenced dictionary entries, much of which cover the last decade, and other updates add new research, revise the chronology of events, and expand the introduction. Listings do more than provide a paragraph of detail: history and biography embrace pages of detail, at times, and are packed with in-depth coverage suitable for reports.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Historical Dictionary of Iraq begins with the earliest civilizations and covers the periods that followed, ranging from the history of ancient Mesopotamia to the Abbasid Empire to present-day Iraq. Included are a historical overview; a country profile; a review of the economy, oil, fauna, and political institutions; coverage of the Iran-Iraq War, the Kuwait invasion, the second Gulf War, and other conflicts. The major ethnic groups, such as the Kurds, Turkumans, and Assyrians; Islam and Muslim sects, Christianity and Christian sects, as well as other religious groups; are profiled. Dictionary entries also highlight the main political, religious, and ideological parties, groups, and organizations; major historical personalities; languages; literature; and cultural elements. A broad range of topics, both ancient and modern, are dealt with throughout the introduction and the dictionary, and a comprehensive bibliography complements this extensive historical reference.
The general purpose of this dictionary is to cover a number of diverse subjects ranging from the history of ancient Mesopotamia to the `Abbasid Empire to present-day Iraq . It includes a historical overview, a country profile, the economy, oil, fauna, political institution, the Iran-`Iraq war, the Kuwait invasion, and the second Gulf War and other conflicts. It also covers the major ethnic groups such as the Kurds, the Turkumans and the Assyrians, Islam and Muslim sects, Christianity and Christian sects, as well as other religious groups. The dictionary highlights the main political, religious, and ideological parties, groups, and organizations; major historical personalities; languages; literature; culture; a comprehensive bibliography; and other topics. We have also dealt with a broad range of topics both ancient and modern.

College-level collections strong in Asian history and culture can't be without this updated third edition of HISTORICAL DICTIONARY OF TAIWAN, which surveys the nation's history, ongoing conflicts with China, and other political and social issues. Here's a cross-referenced dictionary of entries which includes important people, places, events and political parties, surveying the entire country's affairs. Perfect for in-depth reports or as a reference starting point.

The collaborative effort of Norris W. Potter, Lawrence M. Kasdon, and Ann Rayson, History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom is a solidly written and easily accessible reference for readers of all ages and backgrounds concerning the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom from the arrival of Captain Cook in 1775 down to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by American forces near the beginning of the twentieth century. Color illustrations and informative text make for an excellent general primer and resource. Also recommended is a History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom workbook ..., and classroom teachers using it as an instructional textbook should also acquire a History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom answer key ...

I read this book back in 1995 and am surprised I am the first Amazon user to review it. I found this book tremendously worthwhile.

It is an excellent overview of the history of the Pacific Islands. If you are interested in this topic than you couldn't ask for a better introduction to it than this.

Kirsty Brooks set out to write a book about hitchhiking. She got a car and headed out, looking for hikers to pick up.

She found less than a dozen.

So she went out and collected stories from all over the world of the strangest occurrences that have happened, from drink-driving mayors in France to hitchhiking in Japan, where the drivers will give you their umbrellas when you stop.

It's a great read, interlaced with some wonderful picture-postcards, making the whole book a very attractive package.