SOCIAL SCIENCES

Paradise of the Pacific: Approaching Hawaii

Farrar. Aug. 2015. 352p. photos. maps. notes. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780374298777. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781429944960. HIST
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OrangeReviewStarMoore delves once again into the subject of Hawaii, a setting that has served as a backdrop for several of her novels (The Whiteness of Bones; My Old Sweetheart, etc.). The author's memoirs Light Years: A Girlhood in Hawaii and I Myself Have Seen It: The Myth of Hawaii provided looks at life in Hawaii beyond the tourist haunts and staged luaus. With this latest offering, Moore digs deep and delivers a thoroughly researched account of Hawaii's distinct culture and history. Of note are the examination of traditional religious beliefs and the introduction of Christianity and Western ideals to the islands, the unification of the area under one monarch, and, finally, the annexation of Hawaii by the United States.
VERDICT Moore's background in storytelling radiates throughout this work, creating a quick- paced and well-crafted narrative. Highly recommended for the armchair historian and those intrigued by Hawaiian history, maritime exploration, and the history of Christian missionaries. For readers with a continued fascination in the development of the Hawaiian Islands, perusing Julia Flynn Siler's Lost Kingdom might also prove a rewarding endeavor. [See Prepub Alert, 2/23/15.]
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