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andyourstruly's review
informative
3.75
I am so glad I read this book. While it is very overtly propaganda appealing for other countries to respect Queen Lili'uokalani's legitimacy, after reading so much about colonization treated as a historical thing while also living in a country continuing to fend off colonizers even in the year 2024, it's a totally different thing to real a real-life witness account of someone who could see what was happening in real-time giving an account laying out exactly what had happened and how.
Besides the account itself are the other things that the queen felt were worthy of including in this appeal: examples of Hawai'ian royalty having received a sort of Mandate of Heaven and divine right to rule. Examples of her Christian goodness and insistence that the practices of her people are not pagan but simple superstition/tradition. Huge lists of various big-name individuals who she had offered assistance to, or who had been respectful to her in events she had attended in America and Europe. No mention of her mother in-law's racism to her throughout her marriage. Lili'uokalani was clearly a very intelligent woman, but also it's interesting to see even in her book some of the cultural differences in the significance of different actions and the meaning that is attached to words.
Anyway, give Hawai'ians back their country, and stop interfering with other countries' popular governments.
Besides the account itself are the other things that the queen felt were worthy of including in this appeal: examples of Hawai'ian royalty having received a sort of Mandate of Heaven and divine right to rule. Examples of her Christian goodness and insistence that the practices of her people are not pagan but simple superstition/tradition. Huge lists of various big-name individuals who she had offered assistance to, or who had been respectful to her in events she had attended in America and Europe. No mention of her mother in-law's racism to her throughout her marriage. Lili'uokalani was clearly a very intelligent woman, but also it's interesting to see even in her book some of the cultural differences in the significance of different actions and the meaning that is attached to words.
Anyway, give Hawai'ians back their country, and stop interfering with other countries' popular governments.
clarke11235's review against another edition
4.0
While not being exactly a page turner, it was an insightful and at times heartbreaking read. Definitely glad I read it
lmkunz's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
5.0
I was greatly interested in learning more about the history of Hawaii's annexation after I visited and learned a little bit about it on a bus tour, so was trilled when this popped up on Libby.
Lili'uokalani was very well spoken I'm this book. Her prose was beautiful and the reader, I listened to the audio book, did an amazing job with having the queens passion for Hawaii shine through the text.
I wish this was something that could have been covered in school. We learned a lot about how badly the native Americans were treated during western expansion, but it is very eye opening to learn how badly the Hawaiian People were treated, and not have learned anything about it.
Lili'uokalani was very well spoken I'm this book. Her prose was beautiful and the reader, I listened to the audio book, did an amazing job with having the queens passion for Hawaii shine through the text.
I wish this was something that could have been covered in school. We learned a lot about how badly the native Americans were treated during western expansion, but it is very eye opening to learn how badly the Hawaiian People were treated, and not have learned anything about it.
katyaplewis's review against another edition
4.0
Feels weird reading someone’s tragic memoir when we know the outcome. Glad I got to sit down with this piece of important history though
patriciareedreads's review against another edition
2.0
Laborious reading, however, one rarely gets the opportunity to read about history from the side of those who were not the victors. This book could very well have been set in the present day, complete with fake news, political subterfuge, and highly biased media coverage - all to support increasing wealth for a few powerful men.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully read by Emily Woo Zeller.
https://www.afar.com/magazine/understanding-the-hawaii-sovereignty-movement
https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/09/peter-apo-hawaiians-must-agree-on-the-meaning-of-sovereignty-to-achieve-it/
Popsugar 2022: Book set during Victorian times
https://www.afar.com/magazine/understanding-the-hawaii-sovereignty-movement
https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/09/peter-apo-hawaiians-must-agree-on-the-meaning-of-sovereignty-to-achieve-it/
Popsugar 2022: Book set during Victorian times
mmarques's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
2.5
I read this memoir because I wanted to learn more about the history and background of Hawaii. The background of how the Hawaiian royals are raised seems unusual and was quite interesting.
When the queen is older and becoming involved in politics, the chapters were quite dull. She lists all the names of people hosting her and feting her on her tour of the islands, but she never describes these parties. What do people wear and eat? Do they listen to music? I felt like the queen omitted everything that would be know to native Hawaiians of that time. Her travels abroad were more interesting to read, because she describes much of what is new to her.
The most interesting and saddest part was the US annexation of Hawaii, and the time leading up to the annexation.
When the queen is older and becoming involved in politics, the chapters were quite dull. She lists all the names of people hosting her and feting her on her tour of the islands, but she never describes these parties. What do people wear and eat? Do they listen to music? I felt like the queen omitted everything that would be know to native Hawaiians of that time. Her travels abroad were more interesting to read, because she describes much of what is new to her.
The most interesting and saddest part was the US annexation of Hawaii, and the time leading up to the annexation.