After recently watching the much hyped movie Pearl Harbor, I realize my knowledge of the history of Pearl Harbor was woefully lacking. My search for information led me to this wondeful book by Walter Lord. Rather than a historical narrative of dry facts, it is a collection of individual stories, relating the experiences of the common ordinary soldier, sailor, marine, or civilian in the hours before the attack through the end of the day on 12/7/41.

Some of the tales are heroic, some comical, and many tragic, but they are all fascinating. One of the things that struck me was number of people who couldn't comprehend the fact they were under attack by an enemy force, even as bombs and bullets rained down on them. And the wild tales and rumors that spread throughout Hawaii in the aftermath of the attack are just incredible and laughable looking back on it now.

For those wanting more of a general overview of the battle, and a listing of historical facts, they may be disappointed by this book. But I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about the people involved on that fateful day.

This was the first non-kids book I ever read. That was back in the 3rd Grade. And years later I still look at this book as one of my favorites.

Walter Lord does not break any new ground in this classic but older story of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. But what he does do is give you a perfect description of what happened and how it happened.

Walter Lord is one of those historians that puts you there. And thats what he does in this book. You are there as the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

I highly recommend this book.

As an introduction to what the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was like, and how it affected many of the men and women involved in that morning's events, Lord's 'Day of Infamy' hard to beat.

Although it's hard to find fault with Lord's recitation of facts, an in-depth historical study of what-happened-and-why is not really what Lord is after here. Instead, he approaches this mainly as a storyteller, presenting us with 'a moment in time' (as cheesy TV anchor-people might put it) in the lives of real people. People like me interested in root causes will do well to study Prange and Toland and Stinnett and all the rest. But keep coming back to Lord, to remind you that for all the talk of geopolitical strategy, individual human lives were changed (or ended) forever because of the attack.

If you're not interested in wading through thousands of pages of historical argument and just want a vivid portrait of the day of the attack, I cannot recommend Lord too highly. It's a great place for anyone interested in the attack to discover, or rediscover, what happened that fateful morning.

The second edition of this book is great. There are so many snorkeling sites that this book will be a welcome companion for years. In fact, it has already made the Big Island a favorite.

You won't find places like Frog Rock described anywhere else, so you will likely have this fabulous site to yourselves. One can snorkel a different site each day and find them just the way the book describes them. This book helped discover the Big Island in a very special way, and I fully recommend it.

I've been to Hawaii 5 times, 3 times of which were to the Big Island. I got hooked on snorkeling and I found this book for my second trip there. It is so great to be able to have a table of the various snorkel sites for comparison then go to the description pages for more detail. My only disappointment comes from the fact that my copy is the first edition and this year, some of the directions are now out of date so we made a couple of wrong turns. This is not the fault of the guide but the fault of my poor memory for directions and not realizing there was a new edition.
I really enjoy the conversational tone the authors use to relay their experiences when at the particular beaches. It gives the impression that these authors actually visited the beaches instead of relying on the tourist literature. They also provide practical advice for the particular beaches which is helpful since general advice and warnings about snorkeling (which they also provide as a portion of the book) will only get you so far when you're actually at a specific beach faced with the conditions particular to that beach.
I feel this book has really given me access to areas that I may otherwise not have known about or gone to to enjoy the underwater beauty that the Big Island has to offer.

This book comes through on the most important criterion: It gives useful and specific information on a variety of snorkeling sites and snorkel/dive boat operators. It gives maps, driving directions, and advice on the best way to enter the water at a given site. There is a useful chart that classifies the different snorkel sites as to how good the snorkeling is (water clarity, fish variety) and how easy water entry is. I wouldn't want to snorkel the big island without it. .... If you go to the Big Island equipped with this book, and with "Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed" you will be well-prepared!

I liked it when they were on surfboards in this story. They used a different language. The shark dressed up to try and get the pigs. I would tell a friend to read this book because it had a lot of imagination.

I like it when the pigs figured out not to take any ice cream from the shark iceman. I liked it when the third pig took his time on his house. I liked the part when the shark could not blow the house down. I don't like the part when the shark tried to trick the pigs. I don't like the part when the shark blew down the first two pig's houses. I don't like the part when the shark was staring at the pigs when they were surfing. I would want a friend to read this book because the book is really interesting. At the end there was a big party!

My favorite part of the story is when the shark dies. My second favorite part is when the shark dresses up like a lei seller. I would recommend this story because it's funny and has Hawaiian words. I would give this book five stars.

This book is fabulous but one caveat - if you are just getting started with Asian/Pacific Rim I would recommend starting out with something more elementary. I found myself getting frustrated (I am definitely more on the beginner's side of things)with the fact that things weren't turning out right, etc. The Williams-Sonoma Asian Flavors book was much more suited to my level of inexperience. However, I am definitely looking forward to working my way up.

At any rate, even if you are just a beginner, this book is worth buying just for the pictures - they are BEAUTIFUL. Also, Roy adds a lot of insight about local merchants and how he gets so many items locally.

My husband and I love eating at Roy's, and now hopefully (with a little practice) we can enjoy some of our favorites at home, too!

OK, I know it's kind of weird to write a review for a cookbook, but there are a few criteria on which this genre can be judged.

Roy Yamaguchi operates a chain of restaurants around the Pacific Rim. He is one of the originators of "Hawaii Regional Cuisine," and my wife and I have eaten at two of his restaurants in Maui. Our fear in buying this book was, "can we, mere mortals, create food on par with that in the restaurants?" Well, our presentation leaves something to be desired, but the flavor is fabulous when we re-create his recipes.

This cookbook has a wide variety of dishes, many centered around seafood. Among the best are the curry soups, ahi entrees, and Roy's signature chocolate souffle. Some of the ingredients are difficult to find on the mainland, and this isn't a "quick and easy" cookbook, but for those who like to attempt gourment cooking, this is an excellent buy.

I just wanted to provide the opinion of a Hawaii local. Roy Y. is among the top and most popular Pacific Rim chef's here in Hawaii. I just bought this book as a Christmas gift after comparing it to those of Sam Choy and that of Alan Wong. I haven't tried any of the recipes but am certain that I'd never be able to top Roy's presentation. However, the recipes don't appear to be too difficult or too fancy, while still being sort of elegant...of course, when you deal with Pacific Rim food, you need to make sure that you have access to the seafood ingredients. Also, this probably makes a better coffee table book than the others I mentioned since it has really nice pictures of both the food and of Hawaii.

I would have given 5 stars for its stunning photos and valuable information about Maui. But I do find some short comings in this book. This book is extremely good if you buy it well before the trip, say at least a week. It is an excellent resource guide for planning your vacation in Maui and its pictures definitely get you in vacation mood.

But the book is quite inconvenient to use when you are actually in the trip driving around Maui looking for those hard to find beaches and waterfalls mentioned in the book. What is missing in this book is a separate map that sumarizes all the recomended places with mile marker and a simple comparison rating for various activities - snorkeling, swimming, diving etc. A pull out map similar to the 1st page in a larger scale would be nice.

Just to be fair, this book is worth over 4.5 rating and it is well worth the money.

Richard Sullivan has done it again! His new Maui/Molokai book is filled with breathtaking photography and informative text arranged in a format that is fun and visually appealing. Many travel books are primarily narrative with a smattering of pictures. They can be tedious to read. Not this or the Oahu book. No need to take copious notes or highlight sections because the thoughtful format does it all for you. This book is designed with the traveler in mind. Each of the two islands is systematically broken down into manageable portions. Photographs, maps, and activites corresponding to each section of the island are provided in an eye-catching format. Beach lovers will find the comprehensive guide to beaches very helpful. This writer just returned from Maui and can attest to the accuracy of the information. You truly will be doing yourself a disservice if you don't consult this book for your next trip to Maui/Molokai. Like Maui, it is "no ka oi."

Just like the Oahu edition, this Maui and Molokai driving guide can't be beat. The author shows you beautiful, full color photos of places you can visit, with detailed driving directions on how to get there. His maps will even show you the exact spot where he took the photos. The secrets of where to go to escape the crowds that visit Maui are contained in this book. If you thought you would never want to visit Molokai, this book will change your mind. The beauty of Molokai is revealed on page after page. The book enticed us to visit Molokai on our last trip to the islands, and we were not disappointed. I can only hope Richard Sullivan will write books on discovering Kauai and the Big Island in the near future.

Ashton Hinds
1/6/02
Period 6

I recently read a book titled Name me Nobody. Emi-Lou Kaya feels as if she's a nobody. Her mother abandoned her at the age of 3, and she doesn't have a clue as to who her father is or might be. The popular Japanese girls at school call Emi-Lou: Emi-fat, and Emi-oink. Because Emi-Lou is overweight she is very self-conscious. She doesn't consider herself smart enough to be a nerd, but not quite unpopular enough to be a zero (she falls somewhere in between). The only people she can count on are her grandmother and her best friend, Von. Emi-Lou starts to worry about losing Von, when Von starts spending too much time with Babes, a girl from their Hawaiian Softball team. People at school start to call von a "Butchie" (lesbian) and when Emi-Lou hears the rumor she becomes desperate to get Von back as her best friend.
I loved this book. Although it started off really slow in the beginning, from middle to end it was great. I liked it because this novel explores sexuality, racism, and the troubled times one might go through in establishing their own identity. I also loved the fact that Von always carried a place in her heart for Emi-Lou. She went so far as to shoplift diet pills to help Emi-Lou lose weight and feel better about herself.
My favorite part of this book was the ending. This was when Von discovers her true self, no matter how heart breaking it was to her family and close friends (especially her father). Eventually Emi-Lou gets over the situation and removes the wall she has built between Von and herself. Von never meant to hurt their friendship. Everyone learns to accept Von for the way she is. I recommend this book to kids who enjoy reading books with lots of drama! (Preferably for children 12 and over.)

Ashton ...
1/6/02
Period 6

I recently read a book titled Name me Nobody. Emi-Lou Kaya feels as if she's a nobody. Her mother abandoned her at the age of 3, and she doesn't have a clue as to who her father is or might be. The popular Japanese girls at school call Emi-Lou: Emi-fat, and Emi-oink. Because Emi-Lou is overweight she is very self-conscious. She doesn't consider herself smart enough to be a nerd, but not quite unpopular enough to be a zero (she falls somewhere in between). The only people she can count on are her grandmother and her best friend, Von. Emi-Lou starts to worry about losing Von, when Von starts spending too much time with Babes, a girl from their Hawaiian Softball team. People at school start to call von a 'Butchie' (lesbian) and when Emi-Lou hears the rumor she becomes desperate to get Von back as her best friend.
I loved this book. Although it started off really slow in the beginning, from middle to end it was great. I liked it because this novel explores sexuality, racism, and the troubled times one might go through in establishing their own identity. I also loved the fact that Von always carried a place in her heart for Emi-Lou. She went so far as to shoplift diet pills to help Emi-Lou lose weight and feel better about herself.
My favorite part of this book was the ending. This was when Von discovers her true self, no matter how heart breaking it was to her family and close friends (especially her father). Eventually Emi-Lou gets over the situation and removes the wall she has built between Von and herself. Von never meant to hurt their friendship. Everyone learns to accept Von for the way she is. I recommend this book to kids who enjoy reading books with lots of drama! (Preferably for children 12 and over.)

Name Me Nobody, was the GREATEST book, I have ever read! I have read it 8 times and I am still reading it!!! Sterling of course, is my FAVE, and Von is almost like me...in a way...all the characters in the book reflect off me in a certain way. I'm sure lots of poeple have gone through things like Emi-Lou has! NAME ME NOBODY IS VERY GOOD! I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE!

-Kat

A surprising good read. This is a book of memories and should not be looked upon as a source of technical information. The description of the diving efforts from the enlisted diver's view point is first rate. The antics on libery provide a balance against the horrors experienced in salvage actions in the sunken battleships.

I have limited knowledge about the attack on Pearl Harbor from history books and documentaries, and wanted a new point of view to read to prepare myself for the epic movie "Pearl Harbor" coming out Memorial Day 2001. Needless to say, I could not put the book down. The book was written so easily for a layperson unfamiliar with ship repair, salvage efforts and the work the men on the back line, so to speak, to understand the techniques and personal fear and strength that these divers endured. Shocking visuals, heart break of death, pride in work, commitment to the job, danger and opportunity for technique advancement all are described so well by the author.

As a military diver I could easily identify with the techniques and characters in the book. While the techniques have been updated, the people haven't really changed. This book shows what life was/is like for a diver. Divers often work in extremely nasty environments with little to no visibility. Add to this the psychological effects of being among different things that you must identify by feel and you get a small glimpse of what it is like.

This type of diving is completely different from civilian SCUBA and this illustrates the type of mentality required.

This book will show you what it is like to really be a working diver.

All present and former divers owe a tremendous debt to gentlemen like Mr Raymer. They were truly pioneers whose accomplishments often went unreported and unrecognized.

If you would like to hear a story about WWII from a boy's perspective then you would probably like this book. In this book, Adam and his family are stationed in Hawaii. Adams' father is in the Navy, stationed on the ship called "The Arizona". While they are staying there, they get caught up in the action at Pearl Harbor. Adam makes new freinds during his stay. Though he meets one friend imparticulor. His name was Davi, and he was a Japanese boy who lived in Honolulu. One day Davi, Adam, and Martin(one of their other freinds) went fishing on Pearl Harbors' bay. While they were there, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Read this story to see what happens to Adam, Davi, and Martin.

Hello and thank you for reading my book review. The book is called "A Boy At War". This book is about a boy who witnesses the attacks on Pearl Harbor. This book was written by Harry Mazer. The boys dad worked on the S.S Arizona.
I would recommend this book to people war stories and history. I liked this book because it had all sorts of information on Pearl Harbor I never knew about.
I hated this book because it had a lot of stuff about the kid and not Pearl Harbor. I would rate this book a ten out of ten because it was so awesome. Before I tell you the whole story ill let you read it and I bet you'll like it.

In the book, "A Boy at War", a boy named Adam Belko moves to Pearl Harbor in the middle of November. He moved from house to house because of his dad being in the army and getting drafted to different places. At the high school, he made some new friends in which they decide to go down to Pearl Harbor and fish the next morning. While fishing, Adam showed his Japanese friend the ship that his dad was on, the USS Arizona. All of a sudden Adam and his friends were being shot at by Japanese fighter planes. His friends got wounded really bad, and Adam saw tons of Americans being killed. A Sergent thought Adam was in the army and made him and some other army men temporary U.S. Marines. They helped out by destroying some of the planes that were attacking Pearl Harbor. Adam took the only chance he had and went home to protect his mother and sister. When the Adams family was told that Mr. Belko had died, they returned home to their grandpas home in Adams Center, New York. By Mr. Belko's death, the family was not a part of the army anymore.

The characterization of this book was great! This Author made the characters in this book seem real. For example, when Adam was shot the author had written such detail it made me think how bad Adams pain was. Another example for the characters being real is, how they had interacted and argued many times. I liked this book alot and would recomend it for everybody. The book "A Boy at War" held my interest. Have fun reading it!

I read this book on a trip to Hawaii so I particularly enjoyed the detailed stories of Hawaiian myth. In additon, Hirschfeld creates unique characters, introduced one by one, whose lives come together in a bizarre adventure of good guy, bad guy, and treasures sought. I laughed a lot, held my breath, and learned a few things from this wonderful debut novel. Who knew I could find two of my favorite things (comedy and suspense) in one book!

What a first novel ! This well conceived story never lets you down and makes for quick enjoyable read. Corson brings to life the language and flavor of Hawaii that only a devotee could bring to the forefront. His characters are as real as they are compelling. You will be left intrigued by the past of this island paradise that clearly has more to teach us about its culture, archaeology and its flora and fauna. Corson weaves a wonderful yarn. Best read on the beach or headed there. You will learn a lot about the culture and ethnology of Hawaii by reading this book.

This is one of the best capers I've ever read. I laughed for pages at a time. The prose is so polished, the plot so tight, and the characters so well limned that I found it difficult to believe that it is a first novel. Comparisons are inevitable, so I will skip them (although, hint: what writer has the same initials?). One thing that set this book apart was that there is a great deal of Hawaiian mythology and natural history woven through it, and I learned quite a bit. Enjoy!

I've experimented with Dr. Ornish's plan, Dr. Atkins' plan, and with vegetarianism; I am NOT running Ornish down, but I gotta admit I DO like tuna fish now and again (by the way, the tuna fish I buy is not only dirt-cheap but is actually totally devoid of fat; and even regular canned-in-water tuna is incredibly low in fat). So Ornish's plan is not something I could strictly adhere to. Dr. Atkins' Diet led me gain body fat and weight; I dropped that like a hot brick. Vegetarianism is cool but it got to be a hassle with my family. Then....I chanced upon THIS book (and in fact got this book from my brother for Christmas).

Dr. Shintani is sort of like Dr. Deepak Chopra: He combines the best of Western medicine with the best of the ancient medicine of his own culture (in Chopra's case, that's Ayurvedic medicine; in Shintani's, of course, it's the wisdom and medicines of ancient Hawaii, before we Westerners screwed things up for them). And he explains -- without bashing, or badmouthing, or distorting facts to make them fit what he wants -- how in fact his diet plan can work.

Simply put, we all know that if you don't eat too many calories you either will not gain weight or in fact you'll LOSE weight. Ah, but how do you do that without feeling deprived? Basically by eating whole, unprocessed, natural foods which not only are low in fat and high in nutrients, but are high in satiety value (you'd have to eat a whole heck of a lot of them to get anywhere NEAR 2000 calories, plus a serving of them would fill you up so you feel satisfied and won't feel like eating more anyway). He suggests things like poi, taro, whole grains, non-dairy and non-meat sources of protein and calcium, and very low-fat foods. BUT he allows for various exceptions: For instance, you can use egg whites or skim milk if you like, or eat tuna and other low-fat meats and fish. He includes a Hawaii/Pacific diet, a Hawaii/mainstream American diet, and a Hawaii/Meditteranean diet so that you DO have choices and variations.

I would have given this book 5 stars, but for one little thing: Some of the recipes call for things that quite frankly we don't see too much of here on the East Coast (my produce store, what with its wonderful choices of apples, pears, cabbage, tomatoes, etc., just refuses to stock breadfruit! phooey!). So, you might not find the recipe section extremely useful, although many of the recipes, such as his low-fat oatmeal, are easy to make and really good too. Other than for that one little qualm I've got, it's a great book. At the very least, check it out: You'll learn a lot from this guy.

I bought this book for my father because he needed a diet he could follow. In his own words, "I eat like a pig" and he is STILL losing weight. Since he started following the Shintani plan two months ago, he has lost a whopping 40 pounds and is healthier than he has ever been in his life. I myself have eaten the foods prescribed (and reciped) in the book and found them to be tasty and satisfying. The foods are based on food we eat all the time here in Hawaii, so being on this diet is not like giving up the kinds of food we love to eat. May not be suitable for everyone's palate (but what diet really is?), but I have found it a wonderful way to get healthy.

I totally disagree with the amazon[.com] reviewer's assessment of this book. This book has literally saved my husband's life. He is a diabetic and the vicious cycle of insulin causing increased hunger and weight gain, causing a need for more insulin, was killing him. His doctor's answer to treating his out-of-control diabetes was to increase his insulin dosage to a point where he was up to 270 units a day. He followed Dr. Shintani's diet and through the good fortune of living in Hawaii, has been able to consult with Dr. Shintani in person. He has lost 85 pounds in 8 months and stopped the insulin shots after only 5 months. Dr. Shintani is truly our guardian angel. We recommend his program to everyone suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The program is totally backed by science and my husband is living proof that it works.