In my memory, my very first encounter with Michener's work was an unforgettable experience. I was in the open bay barracks, surrounded by the cacophony of often angry young airmen who were in a state of transition. Amidst this chaos, I lay on my bunk and read almost non-stop. It was during this time that my interest in early Mariners was kindled.

The words on the page seemed to transport me to another world, a world of adventure and exploration on the high seas. I could imagine the brave mariners setting sail into the unknown, facing the elements and the perils of the ocean with courage and determination.

Michener's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling made me feel as if I was right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows. From that moment on, my love for the subject of early mariners grew, and I would go on to explore many more books and resources on the topic.

That first Michener book had a profound impact on me, shaping my interests and inspiring my curiosity about the past. It was a truly transformative experience that I will always remember.

I had never delved into the works of Michener before. However, having just come back from a vacation in Kona, my curiosity was piqued regarding how the islands were first populated. Several articles I perused mentioned James Michener as a meticulous historian of Hawaii. Since this book was regarded as one of his finest, I borrowed it from the library.

The book is an intimidating 1000 pages long, but it is actually a compilation of four distinct stories that span from the geological formation of Hawaii all the way to its attainment of statehood in 1959.

The initial chapters vividly describe the geological birth of the Hawaiian Islands from oceanic volcanoes and the subsequent introduction of flora and fauna over countless millennia through migratory frigate birds and ocean currents. His account is captivating, well-written, and in line with biogeographic works like David Quammen's Song of the Dodo.

Michener then fictionalizes the immigration of a group of outcasts from Bora Bora near Tahiti. They embark on a journey of thousands of miles along the Trade Winds around 800 CE to flee political unrest. The story adheres to the accepted anthropological tenets about the aboriginal settlers of the islands and has earned Michener praise from scholars.

The book then leaps forward to the 1800s and the arrival of Christian missionaries, as well as whalers and other merchants traversing the Pacific rim. The interaction of these groups with the island natives has been immortalized in movies based on this novel, which was in turn inspired by an actual missionary. The fictionalized history is expertly crafted, depicting the complex relationships between the indigenous people and the foreigners. The mutual respect and conflicts are both believable and engaging.

Michener is a first-rate writer, and this book is well worth reading even 30 years after its original publication.

Epic is a form of literature that has been around for centuries. It typically tells the story of a heroic figure or a great event.

Epic poems are often long and complex, filled with vivid descriptions and detailed accounts of battles, adventures, and the deeds of the hero.

The heroes in epic literature are usually larger-than-life characters, with extraordinary strength, courage, and wisdom. They face great challenges and overcome numerous obstacles in their quests.

Epic can also refer to a movie, a TV show, or a video game that has a grand and sweeping storyline, with a cast of memorable characters and exciting action scenes.

Some of the most famous epics in literature include Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," Virgil's "Aeneid," and Milton's "Paradise Lost." These works have inspired countless other writers and artists over the years.

In conclusion, epic is a powerful and enduring form of storytelling that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

E-P-I-C !!!

This simple acronym holds a world of excitement and adventure.

It represents something extraordinary, something that stands out from the ordinary.

When we encounter something that is E-P-I-C, it has the power to inspire us, to make our hearts race, and to leave a lasting impression.

It could be an epic journey through uncharted territories, a heroic act of bravery, or a breathtaking work of art.

Epic moments are those that we remember for a lifetime, the ones that define us and shape our experiences.

They give us a sense of purpose and meaning, and they make us believe that anything is possible.

So, let's embrace the E-P-I-C in our lives and seek out those extraordinary moments that will make our story truly unforgettable.

Let's be bold, be brave, and create our own epic adventures.

It took me only 3 years to read, but I finally did it!!!

These 3 years have been filled with countless hours of dedication and perseverance. I faced many challenges along the way, but I refused to give up.

I remember those late nights when I was tired but still pushed myself to keep reading. I also recall the moments of confusion and frustration when I didn't understand certain concepts.

However, through it all, I remained determined. I set goals for myself and worked hard to achieve them. And now, looking back, I am so proud of what I have accomplished.

This achievement has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. It has also given me the confidence to take on new challenges and pursue my dreams.

I know that the journey ahead may still be difficult, but I am ready. I will continue to work hard and never stop learning. Because I believe that with determination and effort, anything is possible.

That I managed to stick to this 52-hour audiobook truly says a great deal. It was somewhat of a hodgepodge as it was structured with 5 large chapters, each essentially being its own book with subsequent descendants and new characters emerging from the prior books. So, if you didn't quite resonate with the subject matter or the characters in a particular section, you still had to endure 13+ hours of the audiobook.

I do feel that I have learned a significant amount about the timeline of Hawaii as an island and then as a US territory. However, you never get any information beyond the statehood era because this book is quite old and was published in the year it was inducted as the 50th state.

At times, there were simply too many characters, especially when delving into descendants and intermarried families where all the sons seemed to have the same name. But that's part of the issue I have with audiobooks in general. Also, it was rather disappointing how much of the book focused on white men, namely missionaries and capitalists. Realistically speaking, they are the ones who have shaped what Hawaii is today, for better or for worse.

This is not a casual read that I would recommend to just anyone. However, it has been on my Goodreads to-be-read list since before the COVID pandemic, and I wanted to cross some old titles off the list.

Probably a 4.5**** for me. Written back in 1954, Hawaii is Michener's 2nd novel, yet his historical fiction formula is already firmly established. He takes us on a journey through thousands of years of natural history to set the scene. Then, as the years pass, we follow a cast of characters and their families. This pattern repeats book after book, and it never grows old or dull. It is always both entertaining and educational, as I learn a great deal about various aspects of history and society in each of his works.

Here, his style remains the same, but he segments each chapter (there are only 6). In this way, even though we focus on the different peoples who have come to help develop Hawaii, they are always intertwined with the older characters or their families that we read about earlier. We witness the arrival of the Tahitians to settle Hawaii, followed by the Missionaries, the Chinese, the Japanese, and then the Golden Children (the blending of all races and nationalities). His research is flawless, and his story is both true. What makes him, for me, the best historical fiction author is that his observations and intimations of where the characters and societies are headed are almost always accurate, even 60+ years after he wrote this novel. This can be seen time and time again in all his works.

James Michener is simply a marvelous author. You know that when you embark on one of his epic novels, you are in for 900+ pages of reading. But not a single page is wasted or disposable, not a single page is surplus, written merely to meet a page requirement. Each and every word and observation is structured in such a way that we truly get a sense of the flavor of the islands or any other area he writes about.

Yes, all these years after his death, he still reigns as The Godfather of Historical Fiction!

Join me in my victory lap!

I spent 51 hours listening to an audio book, with about 25% of it focused on Abner Hale, a horribly prejudiced missionary. I took a break for several months, and it was a good decision as I might not have been able to finish otherwise.

This book offers a very comprehensive history of Hawaii, starting from the first Polynesian settlers and going through to the mid-1950's. Just like in many other places in the world, the Christians decided that everyone needed to be Christian. So, they sent their people to Hawaii, took all the land, alienated the indigenous people, and found ways to make all the money. (Good old colonialism.)

It was interesting to learn how the Chinese and Japanese were brought to Hawaii to work in the fields, and there were several different story lines branching off from those people. My favorite was the story of Char Nyuk Tsin, a Chinese woman who built a legacy of land and family in Hawaii and did quite well for herself. Although I can find her name and the name of her husband online, I can't tell if her story was true. It seems not, which is sad because she was badass. Many other characters appeared to be based on real people, like Hale.

After we got through the Abner Hale part, the story became really fascinating, up to and including all the politics surrounding Hawaii's bid for statehood. As I notice with every book I read that has anything political in it, the core of politics seems to be a bunch of rich people who don't want the poor people to cut into their profits. Same stuff, different era.

I wish I had read/heard Michener's Poland before I went there. I didn't even think of it. I will definitely be reading more of his books. I just hope others aren't so heavy on the religion, which is ultimately what knocked this one down a notch for me.

This book was long and it was truly a labor of love.

Although it wasn't written by a native Hawaiian, I believe the author has presented some fair assessments of the history that took place on the island.

I would be extremely interested to hear the thoughts of some native Hawaiians who have read this book.

Ultimately, I have learned a great deal about the history of Hawaii and the events that led to the diaspora, which in turn gave birth to the international culture it now possesses.

I really adored some of the characters in the book, and the author has managed to bring the islands to life with the captivating beauty and rich culture of the Polynesian people.

It has been a fascinating journey through the pages of this book, and I look forward to sharing my newfound knowledge with others.

Perhaps through discussions with native Hawaiians, I can gain an even deeper understanding of the true essence of this remarkable place.

Overall, this book has been a valuable addition to my collection and has left a lasting impression on me.

Enjoyable at every level, this book chronicles the many immigrants to Hawaii, from Polynesian to Japanese, over a span of 1000 years.

Most of the narrative is set between the 1800s and the first half of the 1900s, highlighting how religion was used for power and control, yet also showing care and concern.

Each group carves out its place in Hawaiian society. Notably, the descendants of the original missionaries and traders,凭借 their对土地、机构的控制以及对自身优越性的坚定信念，试图控制其他所有人。

However, their hubris is revealed as not being the whole truth about them. The book presents the islands' history in a seamless way, without flaunting its research.

The characters are individuals, albeit not fully developed, and there is a great deal of humor.

Over time, the islands evolve into a true melting pot of people from diverse cultures.

This is a very interesting book about the history of these islands and the people because of whom Hawaii is now what it is (or, more precisely, was in 1959 when this book was published).

It offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, revealing the events and individuals that shaped the unique character of Hawaii.

The author has done a great job of presenting the information in an engaging and accessible way.

Reading this book makes one appreciate the rich cultural heritage and complex history of the islands.

I will definitely read it again at some point.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in Hawaiian history or the history of the Pacific region.

The detailed accounts and vivid descriptions bring the past to life, making it easy to imagine what it was like to live in Hawaii during different periods.

Overall, this is a highly recommended book that provides valuable insights into the history and people of Hawaii.

A completely absorbing historical saga of Hawaii unfolds before our eyes. It builds slowly yet relentlessly, seamlessly mixing multiple story lines and perspectives. I last delved into Michener's work as a teenager. While I relished it then, I wrongly assumed I had outgrown it. That was a grave error.

It commences with a captivating chapter on the geological formation of Hawaii.随后，有四个章节分别聚焦于抵达夏威夷的四个主要群体：大约800年的波利尼西亚人、1920年左右的传教士、1865年左右的中国劳工，以及此后不久的日本劳工。最后一章讲述的是那些以独特方式融合了东西方的“黄金人”。每个章节都详细描述了前往夏威夷的海上航行，其中波利尼西亚人、传教士和中国人的航行被描述得细致入微且令人痛苦。

The book, however, is not without its flaws. The women are predominantly portrayed as either saints or agency-less sex objects. It vividly depicts enormous and epic suffering, yet almost all of it is redeemed by some remarkable success. It presents a complex portrait of the pros and cons of missionaries, the oligarchs who ruled Hawaii, racism against Japanese people, and much more. Nevertheless, it mostly always has good intentions, and things ultimately work out for the better. It also oscillates between an outdated account of "blood" and lineages and a rejection and critique of these, highlighting that everything is more mixed than people believe and that, regardless, everyone is the same.

But make no mistake, it is a truly, truly good story. It features some memorable characters and offers an amazing sweep of history in what is, in many ways, a really unique place. I am overjoyed that I took the plunge and rediscovered this literary gem.