These Hawaii revealed books after my favorite! Ive now bought the Big Island
932840
These Hawaii revealed books after my favorite! Ive now bought the Big Island, Oahu, and Kauai books and the next time I go to Maui Ill be buy the Maui book too.
1114453
Throughout my life there have been times where people have said to me, If you were stuck on a deserted island and you could have only one book, which book would you bring?  I cant tell you how many donut socials Ive been at where this exact situation occurred and while Im often more concerned with the scenario that put me on the island, for some reason the questioner is very concerned with my literary choice.

Now to answer the question I will say that John LeMays entertaining Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies (Vol 1) is not the book I would bring into my unfortunate tropical isolation.  The reason is simple; if I can have only one book on this island then I am certain my island does not come equipped with a television or wifi signal.  Trust me, if you're going to read this book youll want immediate access to all of the great movies that LeMay thoroughly discusses.

For fans of Kaiju Eiga theres plenty of love in this collection of movie reviews and history.  LeMay takes us on a journey of over fifty movies that involve giant monsters creating all sorts of chaos and pandemonium.  Obviously were going to get the Toho staples of Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and all the versus movies that followed.  But theres plenty of lesser known films covered such as: War in Space, Legend of Dinosaurs and Monster Birds, and, my personal guilty pleasure Mighty Peking Man.

LeMay has done his homework and provides each movie with a detailed synopsis as well as plenty of background information and trivia that are not always available on Internet movie sites.  Being a fan of these movies, I learned some great information (and here I thought IMDB had everything  wrong!).

The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies (Vol 1) won't change your life but it will most likely put a smile on your face and give you an immediate urge to watch or revisit the different movies detailed in the book.  Im eager to see what movies are covered in Vol 2 because the selections in this book showcased far more monster movies than I was familiar with in that time period.  At the least I know that with the combination of watching these movies while referring to LeMays book on my iPad I have hours of entertainment awaiting me!
3534830
This is a great book ot buy for any first, second, or third timer traveling to the Big Island.  It covers the many sites to visit.  This to do and see.  It has maps, and directions to all sites.  The author, Andrew Doughty informs of what to expect, what to see, what to do, where to do it, how ot do it, and all about the Big Island.  there are similar books for each Hawaiian Island. One of the best book anyone could purchase before a visit to the area.
3055837
All these Lahaina Mysteries have great descriptions and history of the Hawaiian Islands, especially Maui and Lahaina.  If you've been there, you will recognize shops, restaurants, and other places.  I wish they were more easily attainable in real book form!
3217524
Growing up in Hawaii and now living in the PNW I had to bring a lil of the islands here to my home on the " mainland". The vintage aspect is perfect
and I'm living it!!
4601966
I bought both remebering the kanji and kana books by heisig theyve both made a impact on how i learn japanese best investment ive made
192870
I was hooked after reading the first one. New Zealand had never really been on my radar before but this book made me want to move there. All three books are great. Good story telling in a wonderful exotic place, and the characters are great. I enjoyed the love stories so much. I highly recommend this set and the entire series.
4488827
Although I have been to the Big Island many times as a tourist, pleasantly brushing up against Kilauea and Mauna Loa, I always felt a need to come back to stay for awhile, to be present.  Pamela Frierson's Preface to the Burning Island describes my feeing perfectly: "I had lived all that time in a place I had never really seen, or seen only dimly, with a vision clouded and distorted."

In this one volume the author gathers together a great deal of background information about the volcanoes; their origin, formation and eventual wearing down and returning to the sea; the dynamics of an active volcano with its cinder cones, calderas and mighty rift zones; the historical and scientific exploration by the west starting with the arrival of whaling ships; the flora and fauna of the surrounding country side and the losses to invasive exotics and abuse by humans.

And I think most importantly the inclusion of Hawaiian archaeology and mythology gives the story depth.  Pele, goddess of the volcano and the myths surrounding her give the reader a sense of the Hawaiian's way of explaining and finding a place in the unknown and unknowable.

It is difficult for me to understand and empathize with a native culture but this book takes me a good way along in that journey. To me it is a guide book.
4505997
I've purchased every one of the B.I. Revealed editions and they are the BEST books for those visiting the islands published.  We always tell anyone coming to visit us to be sure to pick one up!
4447982
I didn't not love this series at first, but that changed after the second book.  Toby Neal really knows Hawaii, and if you have been, her writing transport you back to the magical islands.  I really look forward to more in this series, and am about to purchase the next one!
3083298
These books really want you to visit the island....after reading the books I even have a list of what I would like to see.  It's romance, but also almost a love story to the island.  Obviously the author has a deep love for the location, and her ability to share that is better than the love stories in the series
4689574
Amazing book that allowed us to really see the best trails and views of the island. The section on lava is a bit light, but I recommend Kalapana Cultural Tours where great local guides took us to the most amazing hike of my life. Also, know that if you opt for a "poke the lava tour," you are partaking in a culturally forbidden activity for the native Hawaiians.
2584374
I have bought 7 copies of this book for friends who have loved reading it! This woman soon needs to write her own biography covering more years than this unusually lovely, funny, dramatic and ever fascinating book covers. I enjoy her travel stories which are frequently published in Hawaii. The author is a genuine distinguished heroine of mine and many others on our unique and wonderful island of Kaua'i and certainly around the world. Anything she writes I will read with enthusiasm and certainly great passion and curiosity.
3777583
The NZ Frenzy books are great! They offer experiences that the other books don't and it is soooo much fun trying to find some of the hidden gems of NZ
2085122
This book made me feel more like a resident of the Big Island, rather than just a tourist. I didn't feel like a visitor, Bree's insight into the hidden gems of the Island made me feel...kama'aina. Look it up and become kama'aina on one of the best islands in the world. Shoots brah!
3734733
You know this is my first Amazon review. Typically I do reviews on Yelp but obviously this is a book and we can't find it on yelp :)

I must say coming from a "locals" perspective and being born and raised on this island of Kaua'i, I truly appreciate this author's passion towards one of the staple things in my culture. Food, cooking, and gathering is such an important part of our lifestyle here on Kaua'i. The beautiful thing about this book is that it introduced me to places I've never been even after living here for over 18 years.

It is seriously an insiders guide! And the funny and most awesome part of it is that when I try new places and mention that I found them because of Tasting Kaua'i Book, they love it! It's a reaffirmation to get this book because no matter if you are visiting or living on Kaua'i, this book is the insiders guide for tasting Kaua'i. #getit
2521090
After living in Kauai for 2 1/2 years,  I know what the island looks like.  This book is a beautiful reflection of the island I so love and hated to leave.