Related Vacation Book Subjects: Hawaii Honolulu
More Pages: Oahu Page 1 2 3 4
Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "Oahu", sorted by average review score:

The O'ahu Snorkelers and Shore Divers Guide
Published in Paperback by University of Hawaii Press (April, 2003)
Author: Francisco B. de Carvalho
Average review score:

Finding the right site made easy
Finding a good site on O`ahu is no longer hit or miss. I've never seen a more complete book on shore diving on O`ahu...and I've got a few books on my shelf as I am a bonifide "water rat." This book has got a lot of info you need to know in order to make a good choice because it describes snorkeling and dive sites on all shores...not just the popular ones. The author also talkes about things you've got to know, like weather and surf conditions, somethings visitors should be familar with to be safe. This book would not only benefit visitors, but locals as well because there are many sites listed that are unknown. If you want a good guide chocked full off facts and excellent maps, this is the one.

Diving or Snorkeling on O`ahu, get this book!
I'm new to O`ahu and diving, and I'm confident that I will surely benefit from this guide book. This is a great guide that covers all the snorkeling and diving sites on O`ahu that are worth exploring. This book has more information packed into 160 plus pages than several other larger books combined. Good pictures, facts, and author's insights on 26 sites. I didn't know there was a suitable dive site near Honolulu (Ala Moana), even though I've driven by there many times, but sure enough there is and the author described it to a "T." If you want to get into shore diving, or expand on your snorkeling, get this book. Shore diving opens up a whole new world because there are hundreds of miles of coast line on O`ahu and this book gives you the confidence you need to explore on your own. That is what I liked most about this book.

Finally a dive guide worth reading!
This book exceeded my expectations! A very detailed guide on what you'd need and want to know to enjoy some great diving and snorkeling while in the islands. I'm waiting for the next, in what I hope to be a series from this author, of dive and snorkeling guides for the other popular islands in Hawaii. The author gives you the simple low down on where to dive and what to expect. Accurate down to the last word on each of the 26 sites. I especially found helpful the many detailed maps and site descriptions. This greatly assisted me in selecting a site equal to my diving skills. I'm stoaked to return to O`ahu to check out more of Francisco's sites. Definitely worth the price.


Attack on Pearl Harbor: The True Story of the Day America Entered World War II
Published in Hardcover by Hyperion Press (June, 2001)
Authors: Shelley Tanaka and David Craig
Average review score:

This Book is #1!
Attack on Pearl Harbor: The True Story of The Day America Entered World War II
By Shelly Tanaka & David Craig

Would you like to have lived in the time of Pearl Harbor? Almost everything was on fire in the harbor. The first attack was at 7:55 am and 183 planes attacked. The second attack was at 10:00 am and 170 planes attacked. It was a horrifying experience for those who lived through it.

I liked this book because it told me about history and the famous Pearl Harbor. The paintings are beautiful. The paintings help the reader to picture the story and to show how people felt.

If you like history and sad stories this is the book for you. The author tries to tell you to always be ready. We are no longer enemies with the Japanese, but will America stop other attacks?

Being there
I know of Peter Nottage, and I was present in Hawaii when the attack took place. His recollections have brought back to me the drama of the times. Although I was not as old as he was, Mr. Nottage's descriptions match what I recall. Iunderstand he lived in Kanohe, and at that time I lived on the other side not far from Kaimuki, so we did not get the brunt of the attack as he did. A first rate work. I have grandchildren for whom I will purchase this fine book.

Pearl Harbor for Children
Shelley Tanaka presents Pearl Harbor in a somewhat different perspective. Pearl Harbor becomes more than Tora! Tora! Toar! and a picture of the sinking Arizona. The eye witness reports form all sides: Japan Military, US Military and civilians and kids. Good book!


Dec. 7, 1941: The Day the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor
Published in Hardcover by Outlet (November, 1991)
Authors: Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein, and Katherine V. Dillon
Average review score:

Fact-filled history of the attack itself
This is the centerpiece of Prange's (and Goldstein and Dillon's) Pearl Harbor trilogy. 'At Dawn We Slept' set the stage for the attack, and 'Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History' summarizes and draws conclusions. But this title, 'December 7, 1941,' tells the story of the attack itself, from the point of view of both American and Japanese planners, participants, and spectators.

Prange's research is stunning, and he presents his facts in a straightforward and non-sensationalist way. He doesn't point fingers or call names, he just lays things on the table. As someone who's read a fair amount of Pearl Harbor literature, I really appreciate that.

I recommend Prange's trilogy for anyone interested in serious Pearl Harbor scholarship. And if you're just looking for a fact-filled, yet easy to read, introduction to the event itself, 'December 7, 1941' is the title for you.

Highly recommended.

An excellent, well researched book of the Day of Infamy.
This book is a must. Though difficult to obtain, it is well worth the wait. It is a usual Gordon Prange Book: Well researched, easy to read, and without errors. Prange's relentless search, and also of his "sucessors" after his death, for the TRUTH about the the attack on Pearl Harbor, make this a must read. It belongs with Prange's other works "Miracle at Midway", "At Dawn We Slept", and "At Dawn We Slept: The Verdict of History".

This book dispells many myths (as do the other books) about the December 7th attack: FDR's "guilt"(he was innocent), Kimmel and Short's responsibility (they were scapegoats), The USS Arizona (a bomb NEVER went down the smoke stack). Prange's exhaustive research gives an accurate account of Dec. 7th.

This book is a must for anyone interested in the Pearl Harbor attack, and should actually be the FIRST book to read on the subject.

I cannot praise this book and his other works enough. He IS the authority.


Exploring Hanauma Bay (A Kolowalu Book)
Published in Paperback by University of Hawaii Press (January, 1994)
Authors: Susan Scott and David R. Schrichte
Average review score:

Naturalist's Guide To Oahu's Most Popular Snorkeling Spot
Beautiful full color guide to what you will see while walking around, and swimming in Hanauma Bay. Page after page of quality photographs of the wildlife living within. Suggests several tours for walking, and various snorkeling and scuba abilities. All with appropriate safety cautions sprinkled throughout. If you need to know the differences between a moray and a tang, or even several kinds of tang, this is the book for you. It also serves as a nice momento of a day spent swimming with the fishys!

Exploring Hanauma Bay
This was an excellent book. We went to the Bay to do snorkeling and used this book as a complete and comprehensive reference guide.


Lonely Planet Oahu (Oahu, 2nd Ed)
Published in Paperback by Lonely Planet (June, 2003)
Authors: Glenda Bendure and Ned Friary
Average review score:

One of the best books on Oahu.
Before my vacation to Oahu, I researched the various guides to the island. Lonely Planet won over the rest!

Now, after my wonderful trip, I can say that L.P. really knows its stuff! You really get the nitty-gritty on traveling the island, not the typical tourist spots. The guide gave me info on lots of great out of the way locations that made this trip a gem. More importantly, it was very honest about certain locales that should be skipped (they were tour bus mecca though).

With the pronounciation key, I didn't sound like too much of a mainlander. The restaurants recommended were superb and easy to find as well as the shops.

The maps inside the book were essential to driving around the island although to this day I cannot figure out how to get to the Punchbowl Crater (Diamond Head was fab though). I even invested in a large fold-out version of the L.P. map.

The first few chapters give lots of interesting history and pertinent info on Hawaiian life. Throughout the book you will find great little nuggets on various spots and background. This really brings everything to life.

The L.P. guide is not your grandma's idea of a trip to Hawaii! I loved it and so will you (but you can't have mine because I am going back).

Great Guide Book.
I really enjoyed the style of writing the books author employs. It all sounds decidedly British, but without being too stale.

There really is a lot of information in this book. It is well worth the small price.


Pearl Harbor
Published in Hardcover by Metro Books (June, 2001)
Author: Ernest Arroyo
Average review score:

Pearl Harbor through the lens
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.

A visual perspective on Pearl Harbor
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.


The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Illustrated History
Published in Paperback by Navigator Publishing (December, 1991)
Authors: Larry Kimmett and Margaret Regis
Average review score:

A great general reference to the attack on Pearl Harbor
Larry Kimmett and Margaret Regis book "The Attack on Pearl Harbor" is an excellent source of information and photos about the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet on Dec 7, 1941. This book is full of specific details about almost all of the people, equipment, and major leaders who were involved in this battle. It is easy to follow and is well written. While not a lengthy read (about 120 pages), it is packed full of relevant and specific stories from topics a varied as the Japanese special attack force, through the destruction of the Battleship Row, to the present day memorials to the USS Arizona and USS Utah. It is easy to recommend this book to anyone interested in what was one of the darkest days in American history.


Electronic Literacies: Language, Culture, and Power in Online Education
Published in Hardcover by Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc (January, 1999)
Author: Mark Warschauer
Average review score:

From the back cover
Electronic Literacies is an insightful study of the challenges and contradictions that arise as culturally and linguistically diverse learners engage in new language and literacy practices in online environments.

The role of the Internet in changing literacy and education has been a topic of much speculation, but very little concrete research has been done in the area. This book is one of the first attempts to document the role of the Internet and other new digital technologies in the development of language and literacy. Warschauer looks at how the nature of reading and writing is changing, and how those changes are being addressed in the classroom. His focus is on the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse learners who are at special risk of being marginalized from the information society.

Based on a 2-year ethnographic study of the uses of the Internet in language and writing classrooms, the book includes data from interviews with students and teachers, classroom observations, and analysis of students' texts. This rich ethnographic data is combined with theories from a broad range of disciplines to develop conclusions about the relationship of technology to language, literacy, education, and culture. Central to Warschauer's discussion and conclusions is how contradictions of language, culture, and class affect the impact of Internet-based education.

Clear, informative, and up to date, Electronic Literacies is highly relevant for those interested or involved in technology-based school reform; critical pedagogy; cultural studies; the social context of learning; composition and literacy education; and ESL, bilingual, and multicultural education.


Pearl Harbor: America's Darkest Day
Published in Hardcover by Time Life (May, 1901)
Authors: Susan Wels, John, Sir Keegan, and Daniel Inouye
Average review score:

Nice Treatment with the Photographs
What I liked best about the book were its real-life pictures with facts in the captions. I enjoyed most of the book. My great-grandfather was at Pearl Harbor. I am glad to know now what happened and what went on day by day. It was easy to read in some parts, too. The writing, however, failed to hold my attention after reading only a few pages. Also, the book was about a couple of battles, not just Pearl Harbor. Still, I would recommend this book, especially to someone who wanted to know about our nation's wartime past.

A Fantastic Read
A Fantastic Read

This book is terrific. I really liked the fact that it put the attack in the context of the Second World War. It gives you a good understanding of the conflicts in Europe and the Pacific and helps you to see why the attack was so pivotal. I've never been all that interested in books about war, but this one proved to be engaging and very moving. Susan Wels has done an outstanding job presenting the people and the politics behind this much-discussed event.

amazing photos AND a great read
With the recent interest in Pearl Harbor bringing books out of the woodwork, I spent alot of time searching for a comprehensive summary of that "infamous" day. This coffee table book has it all. Stunning photography and wonderful writing. From the start, the forward by Senator Inouye brought tears to my eyes. I've gone over it cover to cover several times and its a treasure!! If you have interest in this important part of our country's history...buy this book!


Walking on Water
Published in Hardcover by John Murray Pubs Ltd (May, 1992)
Authors: Andy Martin and Andrew Martin
Average review score:

Winter time on the North Shore
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

A witty and inteligent insight into the world of surfing
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

THIS BOOK RATES AS HIGH AS THE BARRELS ANDY WRITES ABOUT.
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.


Related Vacation Book Subjects: Hawaii Honolulu
More Pages: Oahu Page 1 2 3 4