Hawaii (On-The-Road Histories) [Paperback]

John H. Chambers (Author)

Book Description

Series: On-The-Road Histories | Publication Date: February 2006

This reader-friendly Hawaiian history tells the islands' story from the arrival of the very first Polynesian settlers in the 300s to the most recent strivings for native Hawaiian sovereignty. The harsh regime of Hawaii's chiefs, the landing and death of Captain Cook, Kamehameha's bloody conquests, the profound influence of American missionaries, the wild whaling days, French and British interventions, the sugar barons, the arrival of different ethnic groups to work the plantations, the coup d'etat, the demise of the native monarchy, the coming of US political control, the territorial years, World War I, Pearl Harbor and World War II, the striving for statehood, and the post-war tourist avalanche and economic doldrums-all are part of this history. Hawaii features special sections on the birth and death of the islands, descriptions by famous writers such as Mark Twain, accounts of tsunamis, the great volcanoes, Jaws the wave, hula, Hawaiian cowboys, and the revival of ocean voyaging.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John H. Chambers holds degrees from three continents and five universities, and has taught history and philosophy in colleges and universities in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Fascinated by Hawaii's panoramas, its people, and its past, he has made more than twenty visits to Hawaii. He is the author of A Traveller's History of Australia and A Traveller's History of New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Publishing Group (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566566150
• ISBN-13: 978-1566566155
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book about beautiful islands, October 19, 2008

By 

Maria G. Figueroa (Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hawaii (On-The-Road Histories) (Paperback)

This book is beautifully produced in color, with striking colored photos and useful black and white historical photos. It takes the reader from the earliest days of cruel control by chiefs with oppression and human sacrifice, to the development of famous Waikiki Beach. Discovery by Captain Cook in 1778, tsunamis destroying towns, the sexual hula, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (USS Missouri is moored there now), Asian immigrants working the cane fields, the 1893 American settler and US consul aided coup that destroyed Hawaiian independence, to modern tourists "seeking a surfeit of sights, sun, sand, surf, and sensuality" as the author writes. There are handy Must-See Sights listed for each island, such as the massive Haleakala Volcano on Maui to the exciting capital city of Honolulu on Oahu. Many sidebars discuss Hawaiian food and music, to revival of deep-sea double-canoe sailing in the 1970s, and the killer surfing wave called Jaws. Special Events, Cultural Highlights, Further Reading and much more are also included.

A Traveller's History of New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands by John H Chambers is also good (Traveller's Histories Series)

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history book and a quick read on Hawaii, April 22, 2008

By 

Anya Sherwood "Mrs. Anya Sherwood" (MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hawaii (On-The-Road Histories) (Paperback)

This book was a great overview of the Hawaiian history. This book was excellent to carry on trip and gives one a quick overview about Hawaii and it lists nicely the "must see"s for each island.