By Wind By Wave [Paperback]

David L. Eyre (Author), David Boynton (Photographer), David L Eyre (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Bess Press; 1 edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573061123
• ISBN-13: 978-1573061124
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,169,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Broad, readable introduction to Hawaiian creatures, March 24, 2002

By 

M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: By Wind By Wave (Paperback)

The author has produced a readable book that is wisely focused on a small selection of creatures, rather than trying to cover the totality of Hawaiian wildlife. There are some excellent photographs, and very interesting excerpts from historical documents.
On the negative side, the book isn't very detailed--In the introduction he reveals that it is oriented towards teen-aged readers, though this isn't apparent from the covers of the book. There are a couple of minor factual howlers that don't detract from the overall worthiness. There is essentially no coverage of plants, fish, or coral, and surprisingly, the birds covered do not include the more famous endemic Hawaiian birds such as the Nene or any of the Honeycreepers.
Despite these limitations, it is interesting and worthwhile, especially if you haven't read other books on Hawaiian natural history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, engaging, enhanced with impressive photography., September 7, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By Wind By Wave (Paperback)

In By Wind, By Wave: An Introduction To Hawai'i's Natural History, David Eyre survey's Hawi'i's environmental history. In Hawai'i there are more unique species acre per acre than any other place in the world. But Hawi'i's eco-system with its small pristine pockets of flora and fauna are being threatened by human-based developments and activities. Eyre's informative and engaging text showcasing stories of seventeen animals (some native, some exotic, some near extinction, some flourishing) is wonderfully enhanced with the impressive photography of David Boynton and reveals the complex relationships between the land, the ocean, plants, animals, and people. By Wind, By Wave is "must" reading for anyone concerned with protecting and preserving Hawi'i's natural beauty and eco-system diversity.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Fun !, June 3, 2000

By 

Bill Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: By Wind By Wave (Paperback)

Eyre wrote this "textbook" because he wanted to captivate Hawaiian students (of all ages), bring their environment alive and not bore them in the process. He succeeds very well because he doesn't attempt to cover everything that's alive in Hawai`i, but instead concentrates on a few prime examples of animals, concepts and processes. When he's explaining a topic or an animal, he fully explores their Hawaiian cultural significance as well. Eyre also consistently scatters interesting text boxes throughout the book with topics like More Facts, Views (which are quotations) and Just Wondering.

Eyre begins with a basic introduction to the islands - where they came from and how life evolved here. Then he moves right into discussing the Honu (green sea turtle), which is the oldest of the living reptiles. Other topics include the now rare O`ahu Tree Snail, the Hawaiian `Alala (crow), "Hawaiian Settlement: Human Intrusions," and the dog as food (our aversion to that is cultural, you know). Hawaiians found dogs and pigs to be very good as both pets and meals and didn't understand our preference for ham! No Hawaiian natural history would be complete without covering the pig, the gecko and the cockroach - they're all there. The author also discusses the impact of western settlement on the Hawaiian population and the introduction of alien species. It's very easy to forget that such common things as the mosquito, monarch butterfly, praying mantis and the termite are relatively new introductions (not to mention ostriches, wallabies and poison dart frogs, of course). They are all explored too. Two wallabies arrived in 1916 as circus animals and were purchased by a developer to attract buyers to his new subdivision. They escaped (of course), and their 100 to 150 descendents are living on the craggy ridges of Kalihi Valley on O`ahu right now!

Eyre's book closes with a very good chapter on "Aloha `Aina - Responsible Stewardship" and two chapters about people who have demonstrated such stewardship for Hawaii's culture and her wildlife. This book is essential reading for anyone who is interested or concerned about Hawaii's natural environment - resident and visitor alike.