This is a great tale of a life in the British Theatre during its mid-20th century Golden Era. Terry Knapp starts his story with his audition for the legendary actor-director,Sir Laurence Oliver when he created the inaugural company of the Chichester Festival Theatre and continues with a rare insider's view of the founding of the Royal National Theatre when its home was the historic Old Vic Theatre in London's Waterloo Road. Like a born story-teller Terry tells, in a well paced and charmingly informal way, the saga of the birth of what is now the theatrical pride of Great Britain. Terry traces its development during the first three years of artistic feuds and back-stage infighting and its Everestian peak of Olivier's magnificent OTHELLO in Moscow in the very heart of the Kremlin. Terry goes on to tell of being on tour in South East Asia, and his remarkable first visit to Japan which coincided with the visit of the Beatles to Tokyo. Awarded the first ever Churchill Fellowship to an actor Terry later returned to Japan to study its tradional performance arts encountering some remarkable theatre artists.His account makes informative reading about some of the world's most exotic Acting traditions which date back several centuries. He shares his experiences of working with Sir Yehudi Menuhin in Mozart's THE IMPRESSARIO and Dame Cleo Laine in a musical about the amours of George Bernard Shaw. These memoires have been praised for their style and content by the distinguished theatre biographer and critic, Sheridan Morley and by Gavan Daws, author oF HOLY MAN, the outstanding biography of Father Damien of Molokai. Terry was acclaimed internationally for his TV portrait of DAMIEN in a one man play by Aldyth Morris, (the title bestowed on him by the Hawaii State Legislature also being the title of his book.) This is first class, highly informative and very entertaining reading.

This is a truly remarkable book and a delight to read. You feel as though you are right there as Terence Knapp reminisces about his life. In conversational detail Knapp tells of his intimate relationships with Britain's theater geniuses--from Sirs Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, the irrepressible Judi Dench, and Lynn Redgrave and so many others.

But it is more than a book about stars. It is about a man's odyssey. He takes the reader from the hard times and poverty of wartime London, through the trials and triumphs of becoming an Actor; he shifts to the exotic orient in a quest to broaden his knowledge by learning about and contributing to theater in Japan. Finally, he realizes his second calling--teaching aspiring actors and bringing his love of Shakespeare and the theater to Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Islands he has become a beloved and revered figure not only for his stunning Peabody award-winning portrayal of the leper priest, Father Damien, but for the countless other performances he has given for more than 30 years.

Knapp candidly reveals that although the dream of great stardom and great financial reward may have eluded him, he has found peace and satisfaction in touching the lives of so many in his beloved three islands--Britain, Japan and Hawaii. It is a story that helps us all in understanding and appreciating our own personal quest for peace and achievement.

Terence Knapp has lead a fascinating and truly inspiring life...and writes all about it with panache and style. The Farmer review gives you the details on the books contents, so just let me add that this breezy, lively read is a must for any theatre-lover, aspiring actor, Anglophile, or anyone who just wants to sit down and read something entertaining.

With all due respect to hard-working surf journalists everywhere, author Bruce Jenkins contributes an overdue dose of world-class penmanship to one of the world's most profound human challenges-- Big Wave Surfing. As a professional sportswriter, Jenkins has covered events such as the Stanley Cup, PGA, Superbowl, and World Series. But his true love of surfing shines forth here. He captures the attitudes, lifestyles, and mystique of the world's legendary watermen, in their rightful environment: the North Shore of Oahu. I grew up surfing on Oahu, and I can attest that, for a sane person, North Shore surfing is first and foremost about conquering horrendous personal fear. Although beautiful, the waves there are huge, thick, fast, churning, and unforgiving. One must endure deathly wipeouts and end-of-the-world-type situations, and cultivate Herculean stamina to survive the hellish ocean conditions. Each surfer chronicled here has somehow overcome these odds to make it to the elite inner circle. They represent vastly different personalities, backgrounds, physical builds, but all possess one thing in common: Big Brass Ones, and the respect of the entire surf community. I especially enjoyed the interview with big-wave rider Tom Nellis and his opinions of the scene. Nellis is entertaining and forthright as he pays respectful homage to his legendary surf peers Michael Ho, Clyde Aikau, and Gerry Lopez. All in all, Jenkins does a marvelous job capturing the "Wild West" feel of the North Shore lifestyle. He's right: talk and posturing matter very little there-- in the end, it is ultimately about who has "sack" and who doesn't. The North Shore is truly a macho frontier, and in this book you'll understand why. You'll enjoy all the profiles-- Jenkins' selection of featured surfers is very well-balanced, deep, and lasting. Even if you've never surfed, get this book. You will be intrigued. And if you suspect that these wonderful tales seem somehow exaggerated or too mythic, try paddling out to a routine, Hawaiian-sized 10-foot (i.e., two-story-high) day at Sunset Beach. If by chance you live through it, thank the Lord and remember that these guys handle waves and ocean conditions SEVERAL TIMES that heavy. Hats off to Bruce Jenkins-- and I hope he writes another one!

great stories and great pictures! it gives a wonderful insight ito the most fearless men's lives, a must read!

north shore chronicals is a mind boggling book that will make you take a secound look at surfing in hawaii. With all the stories being true you will have a deep understanding for how the true hawaiian watermen live there lives.

I just ate at Josselin's restaturant at Ceasar's in Las Vegas, 808 (Hawaii's area code). It bills itself as a Hawaiian/French fusion restaurant. It was the best food I've ever had. I did not realize that I had his cookbook until I went to the restaurant. The huli-huli chicken is great, as is the pineapple-maccadamia nut rice. The only problem with the book is that many of the ingredients are difficult/impossible to find outside of Hawaii.

When I lived in Maui, this was my favorite restaurant (A Pacific Café, on South Kihei Road, in Kihei.) This stunning cookbook, leaves me longing to be back, just so I can dine their once again.

Perhaps when I get a bigger apartment, I may try some of these adventurous recipes. Jean Marie Josselin is one of the founders of this kind of cuisine. Classically trained as a French chef, he was one of the first pioneers of "Hawaiian Regional Cuisine". He moved to Kauai and opened his first restaurant there. He used the fresh ingredients that the island provided. When he opened his first restaurant in Maui, it was an experience just to dine there. The architecture of the inside of the restaurant was rumored to cost around $250k. After a hot day out in the sun, you'd come in and sit at the bar, for a glass of wine and an appetizer while waiting for a table (since you were foolish and didn't make reservations.) The service was so good at the bar, that you decided to stay there and watch the surroundings. Across from the bar, was the line. The appetizers were being prepared, followed by the two or three chefs working on the main courses followed by the person making desserts.

Occasionally, you'd see Arnold Schwarrzennegger and his wife come in, or Helen Hunt, and maybe Dustin Hoffman would sit next to you at the bar. The food was so good, he knew you wouldn't talk to him because you'd be eating the entire time.

All of these memories come back, when flipping through this recipe book... Since I'm not in Maui anymore, I'll just have to settle for Roy's or Kaspars'. (Not a bad thing, just not quite Jean Marie's & George Gomes' masterpieces...)

Jean-Marie has created a comprehensive guide to better eating. His creations aren't for the faint of heart in the kitchen, but if you have the patience, it pays beautifully. I have always been more of a "presentation person" and found his recipies were easy to dress and enjoy equally.

I purchased this book in anticipation of a trip to Hawaii, wanting to learn more about the cultural roots. This presentation was exceptionally beautiful (amazing paintings), simple in its presentation, and left the reader feeling a part of it all. I highly recommend this book.

If you have a desire to glimpse the glorious past that was Hawai'i, then this is your ticket. Ancient Hawai'i is both broad and deep without being overwhelming. The book is lavishly illustrated, which helps stimulate the imagination, and the text is very well written. It is easy to see that this was a labor of love.

My favorite section in the book was titled Reciprocity, in which the author distilled the ingenious economic system of Hawai'i to less than two pages, and still managed to convey the complex social trait of the Hawaiian culture, uku.

It is with this sense of uku that I wish to say mahalo to Herb Kane for his gift of pictures and words, and also pass his gift onto you, the next reader.

There is simply no one alive who could do what Herb Kane has done for the understanding of precontact Hawaii. We should all be grateful that such an accomplished artist also possesses considerable research skills and the ability to display them. One gets all three in this splendid paean to Kane's ancestors.

ANCIENT HAWAII is a beautiful and understandable look at Hawaii before the arrival of Captain Cook. One would have to travel the world to see this collection of Herb Kane's paintings and drawings, and spend hundreds of hours in the library to get this sort of understanding and feeling for the precontact Hawaiian world.

Herb Kane is the real thing. The book is for everyone.

Recently our family went to Hawaii and formed cooking teams for dinner. We used Another Taste of Aloha for most of the recipes and found it to be FANTASTIC. I have just bought 5 more to give to the family as gifts as a memory of fantastic recipes that can be cooked at home to recapture the memories.

This book is in print and is available in gift shops. I saw it today at the Menele Bay Hotel on the island of Lanii in Hawaii.

excellent luau recipies all you need is to learn the hul

This book gives a comprehensive overview on the Island's environments, geology, weather patterns, and history. The book is filled with up-to-date maps of all kinds and color photographs. The book contains statistical information that is difficult to find in any of the other publications concerning the Hawaiian Islands.

Don't be deceived, this is not just a book of maps. This title is a comprehensive look at Hawaii: its physical environment from geology to earthquakes, its biotic environment from animals to plants, its culture from archaeology and history to religion and architecture, its social environment from land use to communications, and complete with appropriate tables and statistics. Color pictures, graphs, and excellent maps add to the quality. The only shortcoming in the book is that there is only a one paragraph discussion of VOG, volcanic emissions that cause significant pollution on the island of Hawaii and that are sometimes blown to other Hawaiian Islands, as well. Since this is likely the main source of air pollution in the islands, a more serious discussion would have been worthwhile. Aside from this, this is an outstanding work, by two University of Hawaii-Hilo professors. A must have for people that love Hawaii.

Hawaii is one of the remotest locations on the face of the earth...However, this much awaited new Atlas of Hawaii has been prepared in such a style as to intrigue the reader to explore deeper into these islands, combining events of cultural significance with statististics it instills a closeness that one does not get from a typical atlas. From the turning of the first page, the feel of the premium stock, the wonderfully drawn cartography in conjunction with the up to date color photography, and the hundreds of sources and contributors leaves little doubt of it's quality. This is a serious endeavor a remarkable achievment that will be the ultimate reference tool for the islands.

I travel to the Islands at least once a year and appreciate it when the locals open their hearts and offer an insightful glimpse of the life one can expect to see. In a way, this helps set expectations and guides one's unfoldment of that which makes the aloha experience so special. My only suggestion would be to offer a geographical gem to the enticing cover to complement the obvious human beauty. In truth, Hawaii is more beautiful in person than the pictures portray, which is a very welcome surprise, given how wonderful the pictures are.

Learn about "things Hawaiian" while treating yourself to photos of Hawaiian models on every other page! ALOHA!

I was impressed with the quality of the photos and the useful information about Hawaii ranging from the beaches to the history of Hawaiian icons, such as the Hawaiian shirt. I was especially intrigued by a description of a traditional Hawaiian instrument. I called a friend in Hawaii and he found one for me. Anyone looking for a good descriptive book about the modern Hawaiian culture will find this book helpful. The diversity of the Hawaiian people shows in the faces of the beautiful local girls pictured in this edition.

Having served as a Honolulu Cop from 1975-1979, reading Gary Dias's book brought back many vivid memories of my HPD days. The author's ability to provide a glimpse into the everyday activities of a big city police department without reverting to violence for violence sake and sensationalism is remarkable. Readers without any prior police experience will enjoy this books ability to open up doors to the inner workings of a modern police department and get a real sense for the lifestyle of a Honolulu Police Officer as the author takes us through the hiring process and a myriad of assignments during his career. This is an excellent and informative read for the thousands of police, ex-police, cop buffs and average citizens and for the many tourists of past who observed the Honolulu Police Officer while vacationing in Waikiki and could only relate it to their perceptions formed while watching Hawaii 5-0.

This is an excellent book written by a consumate professional. It is at times touching (as when Dias recalls his disgust at the actions of some homicide investigators at a crime scene), humorous (when he speaks about mixing gasoline and water, or the fine chapter on my friend Norman) and shocking (his description of a hair raising pursuit thru two districts on this island...good thing they didn't have today's policy on pursuits in those days).
This well written book moves quickly, but covers many years and changes in Dias' and the Department's lives. His duties in various divisions in the Department gives him an excellent overview of the scientific and proceedural changes that occured during his career at HPD.
It is easy to see his love for the Department, but he does not ignore some of the ugliness that occured (namely, the despicable conduct of some administrators at the homicide scene of Ofrc Troy Barboza, and the resulting "missing" fingerprint cards of said administrators).
I would recommend this book to anyone in the law enforcement community, as HPD does some things differently from other Departments, and to anyone who would like a good enjoyable read.
If there is one bad thing about this book, it's the fact that it was too short.
It was a very sad day for the Department when Major Dias retired, But a very lucky one for the Queen's Medical Center.

I really enjoyed Dias' book. There are so many cop TV shows and books, and I thought his was uncommonly sensible and not sensational. His compassion and insight were apparent. And it's funny too!

In this enchanting historical romance, Mahalo is the sugar plantation home of the heroine Laelani Winton. It is also the Hawaiian expression for thank-you. Two high spirited young women, one Hawaiian and one English, arrive in turn-of-the century Hawaii each with a different dream and background. Companions and friends they set the island astir.
The vivid descriptions of Honolulu in the late 1890's take you back to that time and set the stage for a royal ball, dual romances and the eventual overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Laelani, after being introduced to the social circles of Honolulu would rather be at Mahalo than in Honolulu. Again the vivid details of the plantation, the hideaway falls, the customs and the people, transport you to a far off time and place.
Having been married in Hawaii myself, I especially enjoyed the Hawaiian wedding scene rich in detail and full of emotion. In the back of the book is a dictionary of the Hawaiian words that you'll encounter through out the book. It is a delightful story that takes you away from the fast track of today to two timeless love stories in a lush and lovely island.

Ms. Hills delivers a fine novel uniquely set during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Laelani Winton, half Hawaiian, half English returns to her beloved Hawaiian sugar plantation only to have her dream of running her father's sugar plantation thwarted by her scheming brother-in-law. Traveling with Laelani is her English companion who has a different dream.

Under the tropical breezes and lush surroundings each spirited young woman finds adventure, success, and romance. Readers will enjoy the two love stories. Expect to laugh a little and shed a tear or two in this well-executed tale of passion and betrayal. Kudos to Ms. Hills, and kudos to Beagle Bay Books for a wonderful read and a quality edition.

This book reads like SENSE AND SENSIBILITY meet GONE WITH THE WIND and go to BLUE LAGOON! I could almost feel the tropical breezes, the hibiscus, the ocean, the ripening sugar cane as the characters met and fell in love. I was especially interested in the multi-cultural themes of anglos and polynesians being drawn to each other, even as the American sugar barons conspire to steal the Kingdom of Hawai'i away from it's lawful native ruler. Intriguing and beguiling characters swept me along. But I have to say, the love scenes really captured me. I am running out to buy a peacock feather right away!

Andy Martin wrote a vey nice book, by interviewing all the world tour pros, you get more knowledge of what goes on On the North Shore of Oahu. I was stoked to see there also was a movie about it. Jeroen Mutsaars

I really enjoyed this book, it left me wanting much more. A well researched and descriptive look at the bizare world of big wave surfers. Particularly suited to those who have not and have no intention of surfing big waves themselves, but would like to get inside the head of the people who do. It has a travelogue style, I think it would appeal to readers of Eric Newby or even books like "A year in Provence". His other book "Coming down the Mountain", takes a similar approach, but to World cup Down Hill skiing. Again a good read, but for me not quite so riveting as this one. Give it a try

A great book about surfing, people, travel and polynesian history. It's both laid back and pumping at the same time and any kind of surfer would get a good feeling from reading it.