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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I like reading history books but not feeling like I am reading a history book - this is usually accomplished with tone and content. The author has managed this with this rundown of early Hawaiian history (focusing mainly on missionary activity in the 1800s). Although I felt at times the approach was sometimes too flippant, the content was interesting and well-researched.
I didn’t dislike this book but it is a tad heavy on: this happened in Massachusetts and then this happened on the ocean, and then this other thing happened in Hawaii, and now the missionaries are taking over and colonialism is occurring and Hawaii is going to never recover from this onslaught of self righteousness.
There are a few interesting facts about life in the 1800s (the fact that the ONLY oil they had at the time came from whales) and early 1900s and some things I found appalling (the death of thousands of pounds of coral used to build a church, for example), but not enough to actually CARE a whole lot, overall, and I’m someone who studies effects of colonialism and gets worked up about that!
The missionaries come, they covert, they suppress, and Hawaii changes.
There are a few interesting facts about life in the 1800s (the fact that the ONLY oil they had at the time came from whales) and early 1900s and some things I found appalling (the death of thousands of pounds of coral used to build a church, for example), but not enough to actually CARE a whole lot, overall, and I’m someone who studies effects of colonialism and gets worked up about that!
The missionaries come, they covert, they suppress, and Hawaii changes.
Sorry. Couldn't finish. The narrator's voice grated on my nerves from the outset. And while there are actually others who do contribute, their contributions are largely confined to reading 1-2 sentences. Beyond annoying. I tried; gave it an hour. But I can't finish.
I liked this book because I felt like I didn't know too much about the history of the annexation of Hawaii and the polynesian islands. I thought Sarah Vowell did a good job keeping the history sprinkled with jokes and funny comments. On audio, you can't help but appreciate that she is the voice of Violet from the Incredibles (my 2 yr old's favorite movie) and the book sounded like it was coming from a smart sarcastic teenager with some other celebrity cameo's.
Sarah Vowell continues to move away from the NPR-ready essaying of her earlier books to her densely-researched histories. Her accessible, entertaining voice is there, but the lifting is heavier. I value this, especially in the current political climate, where being a "patriot" does not necessitate any true knowledge of history and perspective.
I always enjoy an encounter with Sarah Vowell, from her audio books to TV interviews. She has a unique voice and a fun sense of timing. She sneaks in tiny anecdotes about her nephew into the story (for example, he went to Hawaii with her while she was researching this book. He did not appreciate hiking to one of the historic sites.) that add to her personal brand of storytelling.
The history of Hawaii was interesting, if not depressing. Basically, the Christian missionaries were arrogant and the US government (officials) were assholes and we destroyed Hawaii so we could park our boats there.
The history of Hawaii was interesting, if not depressing. Basically, the Christian missionaries were arrogant and the US government (officials) were assholes and we destroyed Hawaii so we could park our boats there.
Sarah Vowell is a national treasure. She combines the empathy that allows her to understand the different and opposing points of view of sailors and missionaries, democrats and monarchists, imperialists and Hawai'ian nationalists with her snarky sense of humor and her jaundiced eye toward all self-serving claims. She also finds revealing coincidences and contrasts in the oddest of places.
If you have any interest at all in Hawai'i, read this book. If you have any interest in economic history, geography, or the intertwined history of colonialism, corporate rule, and Christianity, read this book. And if you want to understand the U.S. better, read this book and her (in some sense), companion volumes [b:The Wordy Shipmates|2845287|The Wordy Shipmates|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442802485l/2845287._SY75_.jpg|3093704], [b:The Partly Cloudy Patriot|12358|The Partly Cloudy Patriot|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430720573l/12358._SY75_.jpg|229722], and [b:Assassination Vacation|3110|Assassination Vacation|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440616283l/3110._SY75_.jpg|824686].
If you have any interest at all in Hawai'i, read this book. If you have any interest in economic history, geography, or the intertwined history of colonialism, corporate rule, and Christianity, read this book. And if you want to understand the U.S. better, read this book and her (in some sense), companion volumes [b:The Wordy Shipmates|2845287|The Wordy Shipmates|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442802485l/2845287._SY75_.jpg|3093704], [b:The Partly Cloudy Patriot|12358|The Partly Cloudy Patriot|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430720573l/12358._SY75_.jpg|229722], and [b:Assassination Vacation|3110|Assassination Vacation|Sarah Vowell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440616283l/3110._SY75_.jpg|824686].
Ever since my first trip to Hawaii, six years ago, I have been interested in how the islands came into our possession. I was fascinated to learn, then, how many native Hawaiians don't call themselves Americans. This was symbolized by the Hawaiian flag being flown upside down (something I saw on the road to Hana on that first trip,) and the more I learned, the more I empathized with the struggles of Hawaiians, not only in their sovereign struggle, but all that goes with it: socially, economically, and spiritually. It is the same struggle nearly every indigenous culture faces, or has faced. And while I love Hawaii (I will be returning this summer to the island of Kaua'i) I often wonder what it would take to restore Hawaii to a sovereign nation. It would not be an easy task, and one that likely becomes harder every year. America will never relinquish Pearl Harbor, of that I am certain, but there are now thousands of haole land owners that also create a huge barrier.
As for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My chief complaint is that there wasn't more. It is a good introduction to the topic but could have been so much more.
As for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. My chief complaint is that there wasn't more. It is a good introduction to the topic but could have been so much more.
Witty, interesting and even-handed history of American missionaries influence on the Native Hawaiians. I will definitely read Sarah Vowell again.
This was a lot of fun--part amateur history, part juicy magazine article, part fun Sarah Vowell radio story; I learned a lot about how Hawaii was annexed and a little about Hawaii itself. I really like her voice and am awfully glad she read it herself. I'd have rated this higher if there were a little more introspection about what colonization meant for native Hawaiians, but she is certainly aware of the issues.