Pacific Books

excellent luau recipies all you need is to learn the hul

This book is in print and is available in gift shops. I saw it today at the Menele Bay Hotel on the island of Lanii in Hawaii.

Bring the warmth of Aloha into your home and into your kitchen as you experience the flavors of island cuisine. Turn ordinary meals into a tropical feast for the senses - island style. With beautiful cover artwork by renowned Hawai`i artist Pegge Hopper, the award-winning A Taste of Aloha, contains over 360 recipes donated by Junior League of Honolulu members, notable chefs, restaurants and hotels reflecting Hawaii's diverse ethnic backgrounds. It includes a complete glossary, unique fish chart and a guide for a Hawaiian luau.

Recently our family went to Hawaii and formed cooking teams for dinner. We used Another Taste of Aloha for most of the recipes and found it to be FANTASTIC. I have just bought 5 more to give to the family as gifts as a memory of fantastic recipes that can be cooked at home to recapture the memories.

I live in the town of Borrego in the Anza Borrego desert. This book shows exactly what we see all the time. It is beautiful!!! I have a friend that had to move away for medical reasons and this book is a gift for her Birthday and a "get well" present. I hope it will make her happy.

IN the April 6th Sunday LA TImes Vani Rongachar reviewed the book. Rongachar writes: "No question, Anza Borrego is glorious in wildflower season, but true desert rats such as Ernie Cowan see the glory of the 600,000-plus-acre state park in all its seasonal moods. Cowan's new book "Anza Borrego: A Photographic Journey," celebrates the Southern California desert park in images - through close-ups of mating beetles, the patterned geologic oddities in Tule Wash and of course blossoms, brittlebush and ocotillo among others. The photos are evidence of a labor of love by Cowan, a photojournalist, former mayor of Escondido and a founder of the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association. At the end of its 96 pages, I found myself wishing for trail maps to go see for myself." Another book reviewer in the San Diego Tribune wrote that it should be a book kept permanently on the back seat of your car along with a map. The pictures and information found inside will never be outdated. A true classic! The San Diego North County Times also gave rave reviews. If you like me thought that the desert is nothing but sand, rocks and dried up old vegetation, think again. This phenomenal book filled with breathtakingly beautiful pictures will show you a side of the desert you never knew was there.

As a person fortunate to live in San Diego County and to have camped often at Bow Willow, in the southern part of Anza-Borrego State Park, I approached this book with eager anticipation, and found rewards greater than I had imagined. The book is a beautiful evocation of the immense pleasures of this very special park, in its various moods, and the text is appropriately complementary and reverent. I would anticipate this book to be a classic on this area.

It is wonderful in this critical time of enviromental concern to have photographer, Ernie Cowan, remind us this
beautiful area does still exist. The photos are truly
breathtaking. In the desert night sky you feel you could
almost reach out and touch those glowing stars and put one in your pocket. It is an outstanding work of art -- well
worth the read for every nature lover.

An excellent overview of what it is to be Asian American in America today. Joann Lee writes beautifully and puts you in touch with the individual struggles and victories of her subjects. A must read.

This book by Joann Lee is an excellent book on Asian-Americans. It tells the life stories of Asian-Americans without so much stereotypical baggage found elsewhere.

It shows Asian-Americans as people. Instead of the shallow, stereotypical views found in the movies, it gave me a deeper view of what it feels like and means to be a person of Asian descent living in America. And it does so honestly. It gives the reader a view into a very intimate but often overlooked part of life in America.

I recommend this to all who are interested in this topic.The book reads well and easily.

Enjoy!

This book provided many personal accounts of Asian Americans. The people and their experiences are very different from one another, but they are all considered as one category 'Asian American' perhaps because of similar social problems they've encountered living in america. The accounts portrayed truthfuly, and give an honest look at racism and prejudice, and the complexity of the issue. very inspiring

Studs Terkel meets Asian America. The author, affiliated with Queens College at the time the book was compiled, records oral histories from first through fourth generation Asian Americans from China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and Pacific Islands. (Chinese immigrants began to officially arrive in 1848; they were not allowed to apply for citizenship until 1943. Japanese and Koreans were not allowed citizenship until 1952; Filipinos and Asian Indians beat them by six years) These histories are grouped into three major section: Living In America; Americanization; and Refections on Interracial Marriage. In "Living In America", selections include Will Hao on being a true Hawaiian, and Andrea Kim on being born and raised in Hawaii, but not being Hawaiian. Sam Sue, a Chinese American lawyer, talks about growing up bitterly in Clarksdale Mississippi during a time of segregation. The Americanization section includes stories of escape and exodus, the bumpy road of acculturation, 3 stories just on run-ins with traffic cops (driving while Asian), and over 9 stories on Americanization, racism, tension, being Asian versus being American, and even on being a minority within a minority. Cao O discusses life as an ethnic Chinese in Vietnam and being Chinese-Vietnamese in America and dealing with social service agencies in Chinatown that is staffed by Hong-Kong born Chinese. In "No Tea, Thank You", Setsuko K. discusses the subtleties between the generations, such as politeness and their hidden meanings (when "no" means "yes", and "yes" means "no"). In a sub-section of nine stories about family, Cao O discusses the idea of `obligation', while Hideo K talks about the "Company as Friend". Tony Ham discusses Mah-Jonng as a family social focus. In a sub-section on religion, there is an interesting piece on Koreans and church membership. In one of eight stories on "Interracial Marriage", Jody Sandler writes talks about "So He's Not a Jewish Doctor", in which a 23 year old Woodmere Long Island Five Town girl marries an Asian America and faces pressures from family and friends, and contrasts Tony's values with those she grew up with in Five Towns.

It is China's burgeoning energy demand which has nurtured an increased interest into the energy reality in Asia; and yet we still lack the conceptual lens through which to analyze the way that energy markets, and by extension geopolitics, are affected by the profound asymmetry between the demand for energy and the supply of resources in Asia (and East Asia in particular). It is this gap that Robert Manning bridges with the "Asian Energy Factor."

Mr. Manning's angle is captured in these words: "Whether they [Asia-Pacific nations] gravitate--as some have already begun to do--towards market-based solutions and realize the myriad commercial possibilities of foreign investment, regional integration and privatization, and deregulation or older dirigiste models may be the difference between increased conflict or increased cooperation in Asia." Alone, this sentence offers a useful conceptual take on the energy challenge which confronts us: how to push the world to geoeconomics rather than geopolitics in the scramble for energy. Exposing this broad dilemma is the book's prime contribution.

Mr. Manning is also useful in showing how one should approach the analysis of energy questions. Although some of his information is dated (the book came out in 2000), he demonstrates that energy is intricately linked to politics, economics, and geography; any analysis which fails to take so inclusive a view is bound to fail. (His section on Central Asia, in particular, is very good at this integrationist approach.) Mr. Manning's argument that Asia's energy situation can produce sufficient interdependence for cooperation is also very interesting.

To be honest, I diverge with Robert Manning on two counts: he confuses a country's domestic energy realities with its foreign policy. It is possible for a country to combine a commitment to markets with an aggressive foreign policy (there are various times when America and Britain would fit this profile). By referring to many countries' market friendliness he logically concludes that the prospects for conflict are diminished; but in assuming an identity between foreign and domestic policy, I believe that he errs.

(In a later article he exposes the dilemma in these terms: "It is unclear how Asian policy-makers will view the global politics of Asian energy markets. Will they view it through the lens of traditional geopolitics of real estate and sea-lane security? Or will they view it through the lens of geo-economics, where international investment, joint ventures and global cooperation rather than competition for resources and conflict is the prevalent means to satisfy energy security requirements?" But he resorts, again, to looking at domestic politics.)

My other disagreement is with Mr. Manning's unwillingness to explore the ways in which energy can lead to conflict; although I agree with his assessment that energy is often a mere manifestation of underlying geopolitical rivalry, it is still important to uncover the mechanics which can link energy to conflict. By choosing not to explore this idea in detail, I believe that is evades a very important subject.

These disagreements aside, the "Asian Energy Factor" is one of the most important contributions on the subject; by debunking some of the most important fallacies, Mr. Manning allows for the debate to focus on the significant topics. This is even more useful today than it was when the book was first published.

Without a doubt, energy will be among one of the most important factors determining diplomatic behavior and relations in Asia in the coming decades. The Asian Energy Factor tackles this emerging geopolitical concern through an intriguing analysis of Asia's growing demand for energy and its global political, economic, and strategic consequences. Unique from other authors addressing this under-examined issue, Robert Manning sets the stage by exposing the myth that the world is quickly running out of oil. Technology and new methods of both collection and use of energy have made the impending energy crisis espoused by the doomsayers less of a concern. Manning proceeds to focus on the regional powers (China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia) and where their individual energy abilities and needs puts them on the collective strategic map. He examines the commercial and political dynamic between the countries demanding increasing amounts of energy (China, Japan, and India) and those with the reserves (the Middle East and Southeast Asia).

As The Asian Energy Factor aptly points out, energy security is the crux upon which the economic, social, energy, and military policies of Asian nations converge; it is among the most critical issues in the coming decade. Manning delves deep into these economic and strategic complexities and continues to challenge the prevailing wisdom about Asian power structure and energy competition.

An excellent work from one of our most important scholars on Asia. Riddled with numbers and graphs, the book is still readable for those just encountering energy politics. The referencing is also excellent, and allows one to delve further into the topic.

His initial chapters on environment/pollution and population growth/demand, and scarcity are important by themselves. Understanding the differences between a scarcity of resources and political limitations or economic bottlenecks on those resources is essential to being able to really forecast the strategic environment. Consequently, the time Manning spends belittling Paul Ehrlich and the Club of Rome is well spent. The country analyses are also very useful, and give one a sense not only of the economics of energy, but of the two way impact of energy and political relationships between countries. With our noble leaders beginning to evoke various fears about Asia, this is very important in understanding the nature and degree of "emerging threats."

Manning might be too bold in divorcing extending military interests with growing energy demands, but it is worth reading the book to develop an opinion on the subject.

I also recommend checking out the Energy Information Administrations's website, which Manning used heavily. It was of great use to me in a recent project: www.eia.doe.gov

Also useful is the cover piece of the January 2001 'Atlantic Monthly.' The piece, "The New Old Economy: Oil, Computers, and the Reinvention of the Earth," in helping advance perspectives of the oil industry. See: http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2001/01/rauch.htm

Robert Manning covers a lot of ground in this book, from the Caspian, to India, to Northeast Asia, and challenges a lot of established notions, but two of the points he makes really stand out:

First, he argues that energy interdependence is a potential positive force for Asian regional stability. While a number of analysts (from the serious scholar Kent Calder to the more shrill "Blue Team" types) have argued that China's entry onto the stage as a major oil importer will have serious negative consequences for regional stability, Manning argues that this is far from clear, and that it may actually have positive consequences. Other energy development issues looming in the future, such as the need for natural gas integration in Northeast Asia, can only be addressed by cooperation among regional governments and some degree of mutual interdependence.

Second, Manning points out in his preface how little contact and exchange there is between American analysts who focus on political and security issues, on the one hand, and those who focus on energy from an economic perspective. (As an example, he points out the differing views of the South China Sea between energy specialists and security policy analysts.) Energy issues involve tie-ins with a broad range of national security, economic, and environmental issues, and Manning argues that the policy community could benefit from more dialogue between these two separate sets of analysts. (I've long known this - since my own academic and professional background sort of straddles both groups.)

While the book does suffer a bit from poor editing in some spots, it is definitely a must-read for anyone interested in Asian security issues and/or the region's rapidly growing energy sector.

Thorough review of basic statistics and how to critically review an assessment instrument in easy to understand format. Also reviews many published tests.

The book arrived in a timely fashion and in perfect condition. Would recommend seller.

I was please to receive the text book on the date promised in mint condition.

This book is extremely informative about current educational diagnostics.

This book gives a comprehensive overview on the Island's environments, geology, weather patterns, and history. The book is filled with up-to-date maps of all kinds and color photographs. The book contains statistical information that is difficult to find in any of the other publications concerning the Hawaiian Islands.

Don't be deceived, this is not just a book of maps. This title is a comprehensive look at Hawaii: its physical environment from geology to earthquakes, its biotic environment from animals to plants, its culture from archaeology and history to religion and architecture, its social environment from land use to communications, and complete with appropriate tables and statistics. Color pictures, graphs, and excellent maps add to the quality. The only shortcoming in the book is that there is only a one paragraph discussion of VOG, volcanic emissions that cause significant pollution on the island of Hawaii and that are sometimes blown to other Hawaiian Islands, as well. Since this is likely the main source of air pollution in the islands, a more serious discussion would have been worthwhile. Aside from this, this is an outstanding work, by two University of Hawaii-Hilo professors. A must have for people that love Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of the remotest locations on the face of the earth...However, this much awaited new Atlas of Hawaii has been prepared in such a style as to intrigue the reader to explore deeper into these islands, combining events of cultural significance with statististics it instills a closeness that one does not get from a typical atlas. From the turning of the first page, the feel of the premium stock, the wonderfully drawn cartography in conjunction with the up to date color photography, and the hundreds of sources and contributors leaves little doubt of it's quality. This is a serious endeavor a remarkable achievment that will be the ultimate reference tool for the islands.

The subject matter is broad and the graphics are well placed.
However the demographic and statistical data is dated (ten years old) and not reflecting the more recent changes in population and density.

Loy & Allan build upon previous atlas efforts (OR 1976, CA 1979) and make use of technology and greater knowledge to produce excellent, useful maps and charts. Pre-1865 (inch-pound) measuring units are used instead of U.S. (SI) units as used in the 1976 edition (for example, temperatures are in °F not °C). Historic growth and immigration maps, education (K-12, university and school districts), demographics and future temperature and precipitation scenarios make this a handy "big picture" reference.

Economic, water and transportation and other "sheds" enable a you to obtain a good understanding of past, current and future trends. Obtain the Atlas and CD - you will use them both for a long time.

This is the best book about Oregon EVER!...It has all you need to know about the Indians, population and it evan has maps from the Lewis and Clark expedition! If you EVER need info on Oregon this is the Book to get!...

This book is a bargain. The wealth of information collected in one place is amazing. I consider this book the ultimate collection of interesting data on the state of Oregon. Those with children in Oregon should consider this a "must buy" for their children's education.

Loy and Allen's ATLAS OF OREGON certainly is the benchmark to which all others must aspire. The hardcover edition is not inexpensive, but the sample pages displayed convinced me to take a chance, and was I glad that I did! The day I received it, I was mesmerized for hours. The quality and colors of the graphics, the exhaustive research and attention to detail were incredible. The charts, graphs, etc. are all easy to read. Every possible aspect of Oregon is covered. I believe a person could make an intelligent decision as to exactly where to live without even visiting the state! You feel you are there. Bravo!

Whether your a first=timer or know San Francisco well, this guide is great. I was just visiting, but my friends who live there couldnt get enough of this book. Bottom line: the best guidebook series yet for thirtysomethingsings.

This book was a great resource for twenty-somethings who want to know relevant info about the city. It combines interesting trivia (the number of people who have jumped off the golden gate bridge, the REAL character of each district -- heroin junkies and all) with blurbs on great clubs/cafes, etc. Everytime a San Franciscan said "Hey, we thought we'd take you ____ tonight," I said "Ah, yes -- that was in my Avant-Guide." The places the book recommends are actually places where local twenty-somethings go, not just tourist traps.

The information that this book provided was an excellent guide to San Francisco. For some one who has only heard about how "cool" San Francisco is yet has no IDEA where to find these "cool" places, it fantastic. My only complaint in the layout of the book. First of all, neon pink pages make it difficult to read in spots. Second of all it just does not seem all that well organized. You can't really use it as a reference - you need to read right through it to appreciate it!

I travel to San Francisco several times a year and I've read all there is to read about the city. This book speaks to me (35 yo female), and seems like the guide I would make, if I did that sort of thing. I keep finding lots of places here that are certainly not listed anywhere else. I love the attituede... and the design is amazing too.

I read this book a long time ago and I'm long overdue to read it again. I've spent some time at sea on merchant vessels and research ships. His descriptions of life on board make you feel like you are right there with all the sounds and smells of a working ship. It's one of my favorite alltime books. It's a great movie too. Not just for lovers of sea stories.

Kenneth Dodson poured a lifetime of seagoing experience into Away All Boats. I had the opportunity to get to know this remarkable man before his passing just a few years ago and heard some of the true-to-life experiences aboard U.S.S. Pierce that formed the basis of this book. Away All Boats is a story that will leave you feeling as tired as McDougal and the other men of the fictional U.S.S. Belinda. It's a strong story of teamwork, loyalty and people faced with challenges beyond human endurance. It's also a true picture of what life was like aboard a Navy attack transport. In fact, this book has long been required reading at the Naval Academy for it's accurate picture of amphibious warfare. Like McDougal, the protagonist in Away All Boats, Dodson skippered merchant ships in the 1930s. He got to know Charles Lindbergh while carrying him, Anne Morrow Lindbergh and their aircraft back from an Asian airline route scouting trip. Dodson spent the end of 1941 dodging Japanese forces in the Pacific before voluntarily leaving command of a merchant ship for a lieutenant's berth in the U.S. Navy. If you want a three dimensional look at a seldom covered aspect of WWII Navy operations, Away All Boats is a top pick.

Excellent military fiction! I picked up this book (1954 edition) at a public library free offering three years ago and just now starting reading it. Surprisingly well done, and reminiscent a bit of the Seafort saga and The Big 'E'

Dodson's 'Away All Boats' is a novel that is both a study of human nature and the art of command. The central theme is the ship and it's missions. The charecters of the crew bring this mass of steel to life and give it personality. There are strong charecters amongst the officers as well as the Sailors. Likewise there are officers and Sailors that one would cross the street to avoid. they are all thrust into the confines of theat attack transport Belinda and give the story so much of it's richness. The captain is a driven man and his goal is to make his ship the best attack transport in the Pacific Fleet. HIs drive whittles down the rough edges and shows up the weak leaders and followers. He makes few friends but ultimately gains the respect of many. This book is an excellent leadership text and would aid many, in the military as well as the civilian world, as they work with what they have been given and turn their people into a cohesive whole. This is a masculine book; women appear only in letters. It is a monastic existence as the men serve the Gods of War and now that the bulk of U. S. Naval ships are crewed by men and women, it is a reflection on an era that is rapidly slipping into the realm of memories.

Awesome book that gives very helpful tips about different locations in Oregon to backpack.
It was my first backpacking book purchased, and since then I havent found better.
He gives very personal accounts of each trail. He also rates each trail on a scale of 10 based on its difficulty, scenery, etc.
A must have for any outdoor-loving Oregonian.

If you are looking for a REAL backpacking trip guide - not daytrips - this is the best book I have seen for the diverse state of Oregon. It's unique organization style is by season, the perfect way to choose a trip in an area of widely varying climates. It gives excellent, detailed descriptions of 27 different trips, including elevation gains, difficulty, scenery, solitude and side trips. This is not a book for novices, no "how to's" here, just great trip analyses. Includes great maps and B/W pictures. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a REAL backpacking trip guide - not daytrips - this is the best book I have seen for the diverse state of Oregon. It's unique organization style is by season, the perfect way to choose a trip in an area of widely varying climates. It gives excellent, detailed descriptions of 27 different trips, including elevation gains, difficulty, scenery, solitude and side trips. This is not a book for novices, no "how to's" here, just great trip analyses. Includes great maps and B/W pictures. Enjoy!

This book is great for backpackers. Warning: it is not a how-to manual for novices, but rather a guide for experienced backpackers. It offers a wide range of backpacking trips thoughout Oregon. The author rates each trip based on difficulty, solitude, and beauty, and highlights any special advantages or drawbacks to each trip. I was excited to read so many suggestions for varied new backpacking trips (and I have been backpacking in this state for 15 years!) His ratings are absolutely correct for the trips I have gone on.