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City Readers Digital Historic Collections at the New York Society Library

Hawaii

James A. Michener (1907–1997)
Hawaii
New York: Random House, 1959

James Michener’s magnificent epic Hawaii begins with the geologic history of the islands before the first people arrived by canoe from Polynesia and culminates with the admittance of our 50th state.
Between these momentous events, Michener creates wonderful characters representing the people who came to the islands from different countries and with different customs. The author tells the story of the diverse groups finding their way to some semblance of harmony in a place that, though breathtakingly beautiful, was so small geographically.
Visiting Hawaii, the state with the highest percentage of mixed-race people today, one still feels that sense of concord. Even if you’re not planning a trip there, travelling somewhere by book is always the next best thing.

Cathy McGowan (circulation librarian)

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