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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I really give this 3.5 stars but am rounding up because I like Sarah Vowell. This book is better than her last one, The Wordy Shipmates, but as my friend Jason said it HAS to be. That last one was a low point, I never even finished it.
This book, Unfamiliar Fishes, tells the story of Hawaii from its first encounters with British and American sailors and missionaries through its eventual takeover by the American government and its lasting cultural impact. Vowell does well in covering the colorful characters throughout this history, particularly the Hawaiian royals and several of the early missionaries and their descendants.
But, much like her last book, what's really missing here is Sarah's unique voice. Her best books, Assassination Vacation and Partly-Cloudy Patriot, share her love of history through both the factual narrative and her running personal commentary that could range from snarky to idealistic and back. It's that commentary that makes her books more enjoyable than straight history texts, and for whatever reason she has dropped a lot of that commentary in her recent works. She really should bring it back.
This book, Unfamiliar Fishes, tells the story of Hawaii from its first encounters with British and American sailors and missionaries through its eventual takeover by the American government and its lasting cultural impact. Vowell does well in covering the colorful characters throughout this history, particularly the Hawaiian royals and several of the early missionaries and their descendants.
But, much like her last book, what's really missing here is Sarah's unique voice. Her best books, Assassination Vacation and Partly-Cloudy Patriot, share her love of history through both the factual narrative and her running personal commentary that could range from snarky to idealistic and back. It's that commentary that makes her books more enjoyable than straight history texts, and for whatever reason she has dropped a lot of that commentary in her recent works. She really should bring it back.
This shouldn't be the first Sarah Vowell book you read. As usual, it's packed with relevant facts and told in an interesting story format. However, there's less Sarah Vowell in this one. Less personal anecdotes, less bits of witty commentary. Next stop "The Wordy Shipmates," then waiting for the next installment.
I love learning history through Sarah Vowell. I especially love listening to her read her books. I've been to Hawaii, and it's one of my most favorite places in the world. Vowell did a great job giving us the low-down on Hawaiian history. I've read Michener's "Hawaii" (which, oddly, Vowell doesn't mention). Vowell's book is similar although more brief, and of course more related to present day (because that's her style). Read it, it's good.
Pretty solid history of 19th century Hawaii, describing the arrival of New England missionaries to "save" the "savages". Too much crazy time religion for me, but at least Ms. Vowell is very sympathetic to that viewpoint.
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
I've never been that interested in Hawaii. I mean, I like the beach as much as the next girl and the volcanos look cool. And, okay, I was obsessed with LOST so there's that. But as far as vacations go I'm an East Coast and Europe girl. So I supposed my curiosities lean towards the lily - white travails of my ancestors. I'm not going to apologize for that. I wasn't particularly into this book.
But, then... I read it. I love Sarah Vowell. She's hilarious and informative and proves once again that history is so much more fun than people give it credit for. These are literally the best stories in the world. I was just as fascinated with this book as I was with her others. I knew I was going to frustrated with how this annexation went down, and, duh, I was, but this did so much more than make me frown at McKinley (not hard), it made me interested in Hawaiian history. Liliuokalani, I salute you.
But, then... I read it. I love Sarah Vowell. She's hilarious and informative and proves once again that history is so much more fun than people give it credit for. These are literally the best stories in the world. I was just as fascinated with this book as I was with her others. I knew I was going to frustrated with how this annexation went down, and, duh, I was, but this did so much more than make me frown at McKinley (not hard), it made me interested in Hawaiian history. Liliuokalani, I salute you.
This is a very interesting if disturbing book on how Hawai'i became the 50th State.
I think people often forget that the native people of Hawai'i went through the same kind of assimilation and cultural genocide as the Native Americans on the mainland.
This is a very enlightening book and is well worth reading.
I think people often forget that the native people of Hawai'i went through the same kind of assimilation and cultural genocide as the Native Americans on the mainland.
This is a very enlightening book and is well worth reading.
funny
informative
medium-paced
Sarah Vowell is pretty much my favorite audio book author; I can listen to anything she does as long as she narrates. Between the fantastic detail and information she shares and her engaging and passionate narration, she's the best!
I learned a lot about Hawaii through this book and I love how visual her books are; I've been to a few of the places she mentions and her details brought them back so vividly, as well as giving me a clear glimpse of the places I've yet to see.
I learned a lot about Hawaii through this book and I love how visual her books are; I've been to a few of the places she mentions and her details brought them back so vividly, as well as giving me a clear glimpse of the places I've yet to see.