Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future (33 1/3 series) [Paperback]

Dan Kois (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009

<div>Even at four in the morning, the strip clubs and watering holes surrounding the Honolulu studio were still hopping. The recording engineer heard a car pull into the lot, and soon the biggest man he had ever seen walked in. When he stepped into the studio, the floated floor shifted beneath the engineer's feet. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole engulfed the engineer's hand in his and said, "Hi, bruddah." <br/><p class=MsoNormal>The product of that impromptu recording session, a delicate medley of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World," has driven sales of <i>Facing Future</i> to nearly two million copies. Each time the medley is licensed to appear in advertisements, in movies, even on <i>American Idol</i>, Mainlanders embrace it anew as a touch of the unfamiliar in their otherwise staid record collections. But in Hawai'i, a state struggling with the responsibility of its native heritage, <i>Facing Future</i> is much more. Gaining unprecedented access to Israel's family, friends, and colleagues, Dan Kois tells the remarkable story of Bruddah Iz and the album that changed his life—and his death.</p></div>>

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Kois is a contributing writer to New York magazine and a film critic for the Washington Post. He was the founding editor of New York's culture blog, Vulture, and has written for the New York Times, Slate, the Oxford American, Television Without Pity, and Honolulu Magazine. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; 1 edition (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082642905X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826429056
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 0.4 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan Kois is a senior editor at Slate and a contributing writer at the New York Times Magazine. He was the founding editor of New York magazine's culture blog, Vulture, and has written for the New York Times, The Awl, the Oxford American, Television Without Pity, and Honolulu magazine. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, but someday will move back to Hawai'i.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An encyclopedia of IZ's life and the history of Hawaiian music January 29, 2010

By Cherry W. Tolliver

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finished the book a couple of weeks ago and then sat next to a woman born and raised in Hawaii and we talked for two hours about IZ and the islands. Great job Dan. I really enjoyed it and wished it didn't end. A great book for those people who enjoy the music but haven't spent much time there and an outstanding book for those of us with such a strong respect and love for the people, culture and history. Not only does it capture IZ's life and rise to a guardian of Hawaiian culture, it shows how he (like Eddie Aikua) unconsciously became a hero to its people. Really enjoyed reliving a lot of the memories as you explored the different corners of Oahu and brought to life the history and depth of Hawaiian music.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars That song from Finding Forrester... February 22, 2010

By Aetric

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Every once and a while you hear a song in the credits of a movie, and though you have no idea what the song is, or who it's by, that song perfectly matches the emotions from the movie's ending. Such is the case of Iz Kamakawiwo'ole's beautiful ukelele version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" that played during the credits of Finding Forrester.

I've seen that movie countless times. It's always a tear jerker for me. But the tears come - not when Sean Connery's character dies - but when Iz's music starts playing. The melody and vocals are so forlorn, yet so hopeful...almost unearthly. It's a masterful pairing. But like most songs that roll with the credits, it's a song you never hear anything more about.

However, this song was different. I eventually tracked it down, and after listening to it countless times, decided to find out more about the singer. Turns out it was a thousand pound hawaiian named Iz who was apparently worshipped by his fellow islanders, suffering from a drug problem, and being put through the ringer by bad management. It also turns out...he was dead. It was enough to whet my appetite.

I quickly discovered Dan Kois's 'Facing Future' on Amazon and made my purchase on a whim. I am so glad I did. The author writes in a way that lets you not only learn about Iz's amazing life, but become a part of it. It's hard to tell whether it's the author's writing style, or the richness of Iz's life, but the book is far more engrossing than most standard non-fiction. You will be deeply moved by this gentle giant's honest story, and devastated by how it was cut short.

I highly recommend 'Facing Future' to readers of all genres. You will not be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mahalo from a haole April 18, 2010

By S. Shelden

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I so enjoyed this book. I knew little about Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, or Hawaii for that matter, before I started reading, and I've learned so much since. The author does more than merely tell a story about how Iz accomplished all that he did, but also considers why Iz played, who profited from his success, and who was left behind, giving various perspectives on a subject obviously controversial and sensitive to Hawaiians.

It's a fascinating read, even for those who aren't already fans of Iz or his work.