I was given this book when I was about eleven by my grandmother, who had read and loved it when she was a young girl! Since then, I have read it many times over, even into my adulthood! I am now a teacher of eleven-year-olds, and was thrilled to find that I could still order Pam's Paradise Ranch for my classroom library! I have spent many hours dreaming of being young Pam, riding my horse across the slopes of Maui. I hope the book generates similar dreams in my students, as they experience Pam' Paradise Ranch for themselves.

As a child I was an obsessive reader, preferably books with horses, mysteries and exotic locations. "Pam's Paradise Ranch" stands out as the most exciting, evocative and satisfying novel of all, and I read it many times. The basic story, of a fearful and repressed city girl who moves to Hawaii to live with her aunt and girl cousin, has so much atmosphere and Hawaiian lore, told in everyday events. The girl's discovery of nature and freedom, and of being loved for the first time, are very touching. And, even though I read it in the 60's before feminism was even a word, the strongest characters are the aunt and cousin. Politically correct, even then! A truly great book for all girls ages 7 to 15.

Sometimes the best way to learn about something is through photographs, and this book certainly delivers. There are many photographs in this book that I have never seen before. The captions that go along with each photograph describe in detail the action taking place in the photograph. This book also makes an excellent companion to other books about Pearl Harbor that contain text.

First of all you should be aware that this is primarily a picture book. There is NO unifying text from page to page or chapter to chapter. It IS a VISUAL history with many, many photographs, some classic some I have never seen before. All photos have a nice caption that some times runs to 60-70 words and does a fine job of placing the action in perspective. The author also accompanies the the photos with biographical sketches of the main figures in the PH story and gives a summary of the medal of honor winners at PH. All in all a very good book that is light years ahead of the movie by the same name and should NOT be confused with the Disney version. Of especially good interest are the maps and diagrams including one detailing the location and fate of all of the ships in PH. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This academic study of naval signals intelligence collected before the Pearl Harbor attack provides new answers to an old historical controversy. Combining technical knowledge with historical appreciation, Wilford puts all the evidence on trial and concludes that the Americans, along with their allies, must have had enough signals intelligence to predict a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. However, he refrains from committing himself to an exclusively revisionist view of the controversy. For Wilford, negligence or confusion may have prevented relevant intelligence from being shared with Admiral Kimmel and General Short, although Wilford considers (at length) the conspiracy theory about the Roosevelt administration. Wilford's selection of evidence suggests that he favours the view that Roosevelt let the attack proceed without providing enough advance warning. But Wilford, for academic reasons, seems reluctant to reject the view that relevant signals intelligence was badly mishandled. The reader would find it more satisfying to have a conclusive answer to the controversy, but Wilford approaches his work in an academic way and carefully weighs the evidence.

The book combines archival evidence with secondary accounts to develop new views. Wilford definitely shows that the American Navy was partially reading Japanese naval messages by late 1941, although he cannot show how much was read. He reviews the content of the intercepted messages and discusses possibilities. In a more conclusive section, Wilford shows that American direction finding and radio signals analysis was quite advanced, and argues that the Japanese strike force (Kido Butai) was tracked, owing to its use of inter-ship communications during the voyage to Hawaii. In a section on intelligence reporting, Wilford expands his theme of American "foreknowledge" to Allied "foreknowledge". Wilford quotes from postwar testimonials to build a case showing that the British produced an accurate estimate of Japan's most likely move in the Pacific - an attack on Pearl Harbor. This book will appeal to specialists because of its methodical study of signals intelligence collected before the Pearl Harbor attack, and its appreciation of the historical significance of such intelligence operations.

"Pearl Harbor Redefined" is a scholarly monograph that combines original research, based on new archival sources, with a thoughtful historiographical critique of the topic: pre-Pearl Harbor radio intelligence. In each chapter, the author, Timothy Wilford, contrasts his research with the views of other historians and redefines the Pearl Harbor controversy.

Firstly, Wilford places the Pearl Harbor attack in a broad historical perspective, offering readers a survey of the events that led to a political crisis between the United States and Japan. Secondly, he examines the state of U.S. Navy "cryptanalysis" (code-breaking) in 1941, using contemporaneous primary evidence, concluding that the U.S. had partial reading ability of the principal Japanese Navy Code, and that important information concerning the existence of a Strike Force and some of its plans may have been accessible to American intelligence. Thirdly, Wilford assesses U.S. Navy "traffic analysis", or direction-finding and signals analysis, as a means of providing foreknowledge of Japan's actions in the North Pacific. In this section, Wilford develops a case against the claim of Japanese radio silence and reconstructs the Strike Force communications plan. He also reconstructs the Dec. 3/41 report of Leslie Grogan, based on Grogan's written accounts and Grogan's interviews with historian Ladislas Farago. Fourthly, Wilford looks at U.S. Navy intelligence reporting and Allied intelligence support, producing even more original research concerning British foreknowledge of the Pearl Harbor attack, based upon Canadian sources. Finally, he concludes that sufficient radio intelligence existed to predict the Pearl Harbor attack - complete surprise at Pearl Harbor could only have resulted from an enormous failure in intelligence reporting ("gross neglect") or a Washington plan to sacrifice Pearl Harbor to enter WWII ("careful design", Wilford's euphemism for a secret plan or conspiracy).

Wilford's research and interpretation is strikingly original and will appeal to those interested in Intelligence History, Pearl Harbor Historiography, or the Pacific War in general. The general reader should note that this is quite a technical book, dealing at length with the principles of radio communications and intelligence (there are 449 footnotes, and 10 pages of bibliographic sources, many representing newly-released archival material). However, in the book's conclusion, Wilford succeeds at placing his research in a broader perspective, and reflects on the meaning of the "traditionalist" and "revisionist" views, asking some rather poignant questions. "Pearl Harbor Redefined" will likely compel some historians to re-appraise the events that led to the Pacific War.

This is a beautiful, engaging book with amazing collages in vivid colors. I truly enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.

Pele and the Rivers of Fire is a beautiful story of Pele, the goddess of fire. This children's book is for anyone, childern or adults, who appreciate stunning artwork, and stories about Polynesian folklore. One of my favorite parts of the book is the glossary. It teaches you how to say the Hawaiin words and my kids have since been running around the house calling each other pahoehoe (PAH hoy hoy) and Lo'ihi (LOH ee hee.) It's a great bedtime read and will undoubtedly be passed on to future generations.

Marita Kim is eight when her mother dies. As the eldest she is in charge of her four half brothers and sisters. The father works long and hard days at the plantation and has little patience with his children when he comes home. Through the eyes of each child we learn about different aspects of growing up in a Korean camp in Hawai'i decades ago. While financially not much is possible, thrift and hard work make ends meet. The stories are entertaining with the children's adventures and Marita's coming of age. There is something in this collection of stories for every age group. In the last chapter the long-widowed father (who now lives with his married daughter Marita) reminisces about his life; his coming to Hawai'i, the loss of his wife in childbirth, having to give up their last baby and finally the reunion with this son. While each story can be read as a separate entity, the whole adds up and comes around like a chapter book. The scratch board illustrations are delightful and imaginative.

This book has been passed around our family and from friend to friend. It's a beautiful story that inspires readers to examine their own relationships with their parents and to reconsider what they know of their parents' lives.

I recently read Mr. Wells' book retelling his experiences in the Pacific during WWII. I was very impressed with his story telling ability and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I have known Mr. Wells most of my life and had no idea that he had been, seen and done the things that he described. This book makes you realize just how great the heroes of WWII are, and how everyday "Joes" rose to the occasion that was presented by just being there. They made us all proud of their tencaity, grit and courage. I am an avid reader and highly recommend this book. I read it on a cross country airline flight..I just couldn't put it down. What a wonderful reading experience.

Art Wells, a Marine on the USS Pennsylvania on December 7, 1941 relates his experiences on that day and during the rest of the Pacific War in "The Quack Corps." Included are Mr. Wells Pearl Harbor experience, where he was wounded, his time on the Pennsylvania after her repair, time on the USS New Mexico and the time he spent with DUKW's in the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. An extremely interesting and informative book, one that is not to be missed!

I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT WAS FAST PACED AND BECAUSE IT HAD A LOT OF INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT WILDLIFE.

I think this book was great becsue of its unique plot. I have never read anything like it. All readers should read this book. Although the beggining started out a little slow, the end was full of suspense. I thank the authors for writing such a wonderful book.

This is a great book that everyone of all ages should read! (No heavy duty reading, but great photos and descriptive text.) An article about racial issues in a parents' magazine prompted me to find this book, because it -is- possible for children of multi-racial backgrounds to grow up harmoniously together! I grew up in Hawaii with friends of all colors, lived on both coasts of the mainland (Continental U.S.), returned to Hawaii, and realized that while growing up, we rarely had to deal with serious racial issues. As Mr. Fassler and Mr. Frank DeLima so eloquently state in the text and foreword, as kids we acknowledged our differences, likenesses, and even poked fun at each other and ourselves (thanks to wonderful comedians like Mr. DeLima!). We were still able to live side-by-side with each other -- probably from an ingrained attitude that when one lives on an island, you have to get along to survive! There is hope! Aloha and Mahalo for a great book that aptly illustrates this!

The title of this book truly describes Hawaii's children. In no other place in the world will you find the mixtures of races as you do in Hawaii. This book, utilizing pictures of children, show the rest of the world the racial harmony does exist. The pictures of the "golden children", where east meets west, are beautiful and enchanting. Being a "local" made me homesick but also very proud of my heritage as one of these kids. Copies of this book should be placed in school and public libraries across the country as a testimonial that a multi-racial society can and does exist in beautiful Hawaii. Aloha and Mahalo to Mr Fassler who did a wonderful job.

Hatfield and Rapson explore testosterone's parallel universes of sex and power with wit and humor, by way of an endearing heroine and a plot chock full of twists, turns, and surprises.

"Rosie" is lots of fun to read. Part romantic novel, part political drama, part academic story, it does lots of things but still hangs together. There's also a serious discussion of social issues (such as same-sex marriage) mixed with plenty of comedy, lush scenes of Hawaii and the South of France, and lots of knowledgable material about university life. But mostly I just thought it was a good story, well-told. It also has, among its leading characters, a conservative Republican from Texas running for President in the year 2000. Could that ever happen?

As an analyst and historian of the Pearl Harbor attack, Ned Beach brings to the table qualifications few others can match: a career as a highly-decorated Navy commander and combat veteran. That makes this look at America's on-scene military leaders on the Day of Infamy particularly insightful, and Captain Beach's opinions particularly worthy of respect.

Almost from the moment the bombs stopped falling, the rush was on to hold someone responsible for the catastrophe. Anxious to draw attention away from errors (or, according to some, deliberate policy decisions) by senior officials in Washington, D.C., government investigators and their defenders fingered Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and General Walter Short, the commanders in Hawaii, as the men to blame.

Beach sees this as accusation as a slur on the memories of two competent and dedicated officers. Kimmel and Short, Beach argues, did the best they could with the incomplete information and insufficient tools they were given. Beach does not subscribe to the 'Roosevelt knew' school of thought, though he does argue that Roosevelt's policies regarding Japan made war inevitable. Beach's main criticisms are directed at America's military and diplomatic intelligence services, short-sighted budget priorities, and political pressure to 'make someone pay' for what happened.

Very useful in its own right is Beach's concluding 'References' section, in which he shares his thoughts on nearly three dozen books, articles, and government reports on the Pearl Harbor attack. Toland, Prange, Clausen, George Morgenstern, and other key pillars of Pearl Harbor historiography are all covered in this chapter.

Author of the classic navy story 'Run Silent, Run Deep,' Captain Beach is a skilled writer as well as a keen observer, and the prose in this relatively short book never lags. 'Scapegoats' helped start the movement, still ongoing in Congress and elsewhere, to rehabilitate Kimmel's and Short's reputations, and clear their names of six decades of tarnish and shame. Beach ably makes a strong case for righting this wrong as soon as possible.

CAPT Beach's book is extremely well researched and expertly written. In just 200 pages, he provides the reader with the information available in D.C. prior to 12/7/41. He also shows how little of the information was passed to Hawaii. As to Kimmel and Short: "The glove does not fit; so...."