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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I didn't know a lot about the annexation of Hawaii, and it was eye-opening, if not entirely unexpected, that missionaries had something to do with it. I also didn't realize that it was basically a bloodless coup AGAINST the desires of the Hawaiian people. No wonder the native Hawaiians will always have a problem with the white settlers. Thanks, Sarah, for another helpful and enjoyable story about American history!
Bittersweet account of Hawaii from Cook's time to its annexation by the US. Fascinating insights into life on the islands, how it changed after missionaries landed there in the 1830s, and how it became American, sort-of. Her usual sharp writing and commentary runs throughout the book, but the tone is different. It took a while to finish this one, even though it was fascinating.
This is the first book I've read by Sarah Vowell, and found it interesting and enjoyable. I now want to pick the brain of a friend of mine who is from Hawaii. I also now want to travel there for more than the obvious touristy reasons. I think Vowell does a great job of both explaining the horrors of the Hawaiian invasion and also illustrating the societal issues of both cultures that led to the unique circumstances of the Hawaiian situation. Unfamiliar fishes, indeed.
Sarcastic history of the islands, but it jumps back & forth too much, with topics recurring over & over, although with a slight twist & additional information.
Meh....is something I thought I'd never say about Sarah Vowell. But Sarah, I need more from you. If it's meant to be fun, I need more fun, more snark! If it's just history - which I love - then I need more history. More people, more stories - I learned things as a result of reading this, but I wanted to know more. King Kalakaua - tell me more! Why was he like that? What did he & his family feel about events as they were happening? Queen Liliuokalani - I want a LOT more! A woman who grew up royal but had to sometimes go out & dig her own food from the garden....who had to wait around watching her brother screw things up....who finally became queen at age 52....& then was deposed & imprisoned, but was freed? I'm fascinated but frustrated that her story was not told here.
Strangely, my favorite thing in the book was Vowell's story about going to the New Bedford Whaling Museum & chatting with the info booth volunteer who has never read Moby Dick! This anecdote, which has little to do with the history of Hawaii, is where Vowell's voice shines through. When I was reading it I thought, "Well, there you are, Sarah, I missed you!"
Strangely, my favorite thing in the book was Vowell's story about going to the New Bedford Whaling Museum & chatting with the info booth volunteer who has never read Moby Dick! This anecdote, which has little to do with the history of Hawaii, is where Vowell's voice shines through. When I was reading it I thought, "Well, there you are, Sarah, I missed you!"
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Rough ride into tough history. Some dry levity along the way, but infrequent.
An interesting book, but not as dryly humorous and therefore not as engaging as her other books.
My least favorite Sarah Vowell book, sadly, as I love her other stuff. Perhaps it was just my ignorance in how to pronounce Hawaiian names that made this one trudge along. I just couldn't get into it. I suppose I learned a little about the history and the people of Hawaii that I wasn't aware of, but I had a hard time developing any emotional attachment or sentiment for any of it. I suppose I'm just not surprised anymore when it comes to the United States in the era of Manifest Destiny or how our Imperialist tendencies are still alive and well today and we've come to learn nothing from it. Still, there was something lacking from this piece that has resounded in her other works. I think, perhaps, it was the dry wit and sarcasm that usually permeates her writing. It was spotted, here and there, but not with the same dark humor I've come to expect. I'll gladly look forward to her next work.
Once I got used to the author's somewhat rambling writing style and the lack of chapters I enjoyed the interesting historic factoids about our 50th state. The seizing of Hawaii was violent and unfair; but I loved the way Sarah Vowell ended the book.