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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Sarah Vowell has made the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands full of rollicking fun. In 1778, when George Washington's army was holed up at Valley Forge, Captain James Cook landed at Waimea on the island of Kauai and in 1779, got himself killed at Kealakekua Bay. Follow the history all the way to the Hawaiian crooner, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and his famous song, "Over the Rainbow." And find out its true meaning. – Anna Q.L.
Approached this book skeptically at first, when I saw a super-white, liberal-arts educated, New Yorker writing about Hawai'i - not because I have anything against said demographic (ok, maybe a little, but, like, it's complicated) - but because I was concerned about another Joan Didion fly-by, or a pre-Said Pacific Islander fanta-/fetishization. HOWEVER, she doesn't focus on cultural/ethno-generalizations as much as narrating the historical (political-ideological-military-industrial-commercial-and just the right amount of cultural) events leading to Hawaii's annexation.
She does an awesome job connecting the on-the -ground situation in Hawaii with what's going on in American politics/thought/and esp fundamental religious and political beliefs, and citing important texts and trends (whaling, for example). Keeps the book interesting, makes for a good, far-reaching and nuanced analysis.
And that's the most impressive part of this book - it's nuanced. Not as simple a tale of takeover as I thought. That being said, she makes it crystal clear that Hawaiians were totally, by-and-large, opposed to Hawaii's annexation, and were royally screwed. I appreciate that.
And, yes, she does it with a fun sarcastic, subtly patronizing tone of voice. She reserves the lion's share of fun-poking for the missonaries, thankfully.
~ I'm trying this on my phone, so sorry about the lack of editing. ~
She does an awesome job connecting the on-the -ground situation in Hawaii with what's going on in American politics/thought/and esp fundamental religious and political beliefs, and citing important texts and trends (whaling, for example). Keeps the book interesting, makes for a good, far-reaching and nuanced analysis.
And that's the most impressive part of this book - it's nuanced. Not as simple a tale of takeover as I thought. That being said, she makes it crystal clear that Hawaiians were totally, by-and-large, opposed to Hawaii's annexation, and were royally screwed. I appreciate that.
And, yes, she does it with a fun sarcastic, subtly patronizing tone of voice. She reserves the lion's share of fun-poking for the missonaries, thankfully.
~ I'm trying this on my phone, so sorry about the lack of editing. ~
I really enjoyed this book. I will be going to visit Oahu shortly and am a History Major at my college and I found that it satisfied my questions about the general history of Hawaii and its interrelationship with America, and was very entertaining, providing me with a more thorough appreciation of the Hawaiian people and what Americans have done to their culture through the years...beginning with the very first missionaries from New England. A very interesting read.
Missionaries, whalers, sugar plantations, naval bases, and American imperialism are some of the unfamiliar fishes that came on a big wave to Hawaii's shores. While interesting and devastating to read this history, it was also, for me, a slow read and hard to keep track of dates and details (goes in search of a timeline to get a grip). What will stick with me: "I'm not sure what is more disturbing - that the annexation of the Philippines, along with Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam in 1898 is a betrayal of self-government established in 1776 or Lodge's allegation that principle of self government was, is, and always will be a delusion."
I'm sorry to say I think my love affair with Sarah Vowell is over. This is the second book in a row that from her that I've tried and just can't finish.
Vowell is an excellent writer and her wry voice comes across clearly. However, it is the subject matter that just doesn't catch my attention.
This book is essentially (well, of the parts I actually read) a history of the colonization of the Hawaii islands. It sounds interesting, in theory, but even Ms. Vowell's skills couldn't bring it to life for me. There were some factoids that piqued my interest, so I did give it some time, but they were few and far between, and in the end, I had to put this book down.
Vowell is an excellent writer and her wry voice comes across clearly. However, it is the subject matter that just doesn't catch my attention.
This book is essentially (well, of the parts I actually read) a history of the colonization of the Hawaii islands. It sounds interesting, in theory, but even Ms. Vowell's skills couldn't bring it to life for me. There were some factoids that piqued my interest, so I did give it some time, but they were few and far between, and in the end, I had to put this book down.
I struggled with this book as I found her hard to follow. My mind wandered as frequently as her narrative did. Many people that I respect loved this book, so it must be my own disconnect.
I read this on a 14 hour flight to Hawaii and really enjoyed it. Vowell has a unique writer's voice (in addition to her unique speaking voice). Although her history of the Anglization of Hawaii is not entirely scholarly (although it is well researched) or linear in its narrative, Vowell does relate a good amount of information about the path to Hawaii's eventual US statehood via missionaries, sailors, capitalists, and the military. It was also fun to read about some of Hawaii's geographical and cultural landmarks before seeing them for myself. The book is also a good answer to questions about why things are the way they are in Hawaii.
Can you believe this is the first Sarah Vowell book I've ever read? I was prompted to read this for a book club, but I was glad I did. I knew nothing about Hawaii before this, so I was blown away by the history of how it became a state just three generations after missionaries first landed there. The decline of the Hawaiian population and culture is just sad, so Sarah Vowell's dark humor is welcome. Next up: The Wordy Shipmates.
In Unfamiliar Fishes, Sarah Vowell discusses Hawaiian and American history, with an emphasis on the New England missionaries who went to Hawaii to convert the natives in the early 1800s. They were some of the most influential “unfamiliar fishes” referred to by minister, educator, and historian David Malo: “If a big wave comes in, large and unfamiliar fishes will come from the dark ocean, and when they see the small fishes of the shallows they will eat them up. The white man’s ships have arrived with clever men from the big countries. They know our people are few in number and our country is small, they will devour us.”
This is not a traditional history book. Vowell mingles information about her research, notes on outings with her family, commentary on the food she is eating etc. while laying out Hawaiian history. Some readers will not like her snarky tone, but I found the book extremely funny and educational. For example, she writes, “all missions are inherently patronizing to the host culture. That’s what a mission is – a bunch of strangers showing up somewhere uninvited to inform the locals they are wrong.” I agree with this completely; others may find it misguided or offensive.
Like the histories of all native peoples, it’s a sad book. I’ve been to Hawaii twice and it is a beautiful place, weirdly Americanized yet not at all “North American” way out there in the middle of the Pacific. Although the book cannot be described as unbiased, it is balanced; the author does not paint the Hawaiians as blameless in the Americanization of their islands and culture.
It is clear that Vowell did an immense amount of research while writing Unfamiliar Fishes. It introduced me to a lot of new information and I’m glad I read it. I picked it as a book discussion title and held two lively discussions.
A note: I listened to the audiobook version. I enjoyed Sarah Vowell's readings, but for some reason there were guest celebrity readers who voiced passages from diaries and the like of historical figures. I did not like this technique at all; I found it very disruptive and odd. I would have liked it much better if the author had read everything herself.
This is not a traditional history book. Vowell mingles information about her research, notes on outings with her family, commentary on the food she is eating etc. while laying out Hawaiian history. Some readers will not like her snarky tone, but I found the book extremely funny and educational. For example, she writes, “all missions are inherently patronizing to the host culture. That’s what a mission is – a bunch of strangers showing up somewhere uninvited to inform the locals they are wrong.” I agree with this completely; others may find it misguided or offensive.
Like the histories of all native peoples, it’s a sad book. I’ve been to Hawaii twice and it is a beautiful place, weirdly Americanized yet not at all “North American” way out there in the middle of the Pacific. Although the book cannot be described as unbiased, it is balanced; the author does not paint the Hawaiians as blameless in the Americanization of their islands and culture.
It is clear that Vowell did an immense amount of research while writing Unfamiliar Fishes. It introduced me to a lot of new information and I’m glad I read it. I picked it as a book discussion title and held two lively discussions.
A note: I listened to the audiobook version. I enjoyed Sarah Vowell's readings, but for some reason there were guest celebrity readers who voiced passages from diaries and the like of historical figures. I did not like this technique at all; I found it very disruptive and odd. I would have liked it much better if the author had read everything herself.
Sarah Vowell's wit and intelligence do not disappoint! Her description of the historical context and events that ultimately let to the (apparently illegal) annexation of Hawaii to the US is entertaining and informative. She provides the facts and contextualizes them so we understand fully all the various circumstances and issues at play. Her account is personalized through quotes from historical records and journals, interviews with people who live in Hawaii and her own insights as well as the occasional and impressive observation from Owen, her eight year old nephew who is clearly a historian and political analyst in the making. The addition of that personal voice does not detract in any way from the accuracy of the story she brings to us - rather, it increases the authenticity by adding a distinctly human element. And that, unfortunately, is something that was all too often missing in some of the decision making activities that led to Hawaii's becoming of the United States of America.