Subject
Hawaii -- Description and travel Books
Best books
Mark Twain
Roughing It
"Roughing It" by Mark Twain is a semi-autobiographical travel book written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. The work chronicles young Twain's adventures across the American West from 1861 to 1867, joining his brother on a stagecoach journey to Nevada Territory. From Salt Lake City visits to gold prospecting, real-estate speculation, and travels to Hawaii, Twain recounts the colorful experiences that shaped his career as a writer, showcasing the rough-hewn humor that would define his later masterpieces.
Charmian London
Our Hawaii : $b (Islands and islanders)
"Our Hawaii: Islands and Islanders" by Charmian London is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century. The book provides a detailed account of the author's experiences and observations during her time spent in Hawaii while traveling with her husband, the famed author Jack London. It explores the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and delves into the culture, history, and the people that inhabit these paradisiacal locations. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for Charmian's reflections on her journey to Hawaii aboard the ketch "Snark" with Jack London. Charmian introduces the remarkable allure of the islands, highlighting their rich natural beauty and the unique hospitality of the islanders. She articulates the contrasts and complexities in the relationships among the various cultural groups, including the native Hawaiians and immigrants, showing how the islands serve as a melting pot of diverse ethnicities. The tone is both affectionate and informative, reflecting Charmian's deep appreciation for the region, while also hinting at the challenges that arise from cultural intermingling and change.
Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy) Bird
The Hawaiian Archipelago
"The Hawaiian Archipelago" by Isabella L. Bird is a travel narrative written in the late 19th century. The book recounts the author's six-month journey through the Hawaiian Islands, sharing her vivid observations and experiences of the landscape, local culture, and the everyday lives of the Hawaiian people. Bird aims to provide a fresh perspective on the islands, contrasting with existing literature that focuses primarily on historical customs and missionary influences. At the start of the narrative, Bird introduces her motivations for traveling to Hawaii, initially for health reasons, and describes her adventures aboard the dilapidated steamer Nevada as she journeys from New Zealand to the islands. The opening chapters detail her encounters with the ship crew, the harsh sailing conditions, and the various personalities aboard, including a critically ill passenger whose condition leads Bird to extend her stay in Hawaii. Upon reaching Honolulu, Bird captures the contrasts in the island's beauty, its vibrant communities, and her fascination with the tropical environment—setting the stage for her further exploration of Hawaiian life and landscapes.
John La Farge
Reminiscences of the South Seas
"Reminiscences of the South Seas" by John La Farge is a travel narrative written in the early 20th century, capturing the author's experiences and observations during his journey through the Pacific Islands. La Farge, a painter and writer, illustrates not only the beautiful landscapes and cultures he encounters but also shares reflections on life and nature that enrich his storytelling. Through this work, readers can expect a vivid and personal exploration of the South Seas, blending art and literature. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for La Farge’s journey, beginning as he departs from San Francisco. He captures the contrast between the familiar city life and the adventure that awaits him in the tropical lands he is heading towards. As he describes his thoughts aboard the ship, La Farge offers sensory impressions of the sea, sky, and the people he encounters—his keen observational skills allow readers to almost visualize the vibrant scenes. The narrative quickly delves into the lush environments of Hawaii, highlighting the unique cultural interactions and the picturesque beauty La Farge finds along the way, all while contemplating the deeper meanings of his experiences in this serene, yet foreign, world.
Charles Nordhoff
Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands
"Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands" by Charles Nordhoff is a travel narrative written in the mid-19th century. The work delves into the author's explorations and observations of Northern California, Oregon, and the Hawaiian Islands, capturing the unique characteristics of each region. Nordhoff aims to provide potential travelers with practical information regarding the climate, scenery, and natural resources, along with personal reflections on the places he visits. The opening of the book presents the author’s journey as he approaches the Hawaiian Islands, specifically highlighting Honolulu and the island of Oahu. Nordhoff describes the islands' geography, including their volcanic origins, and offers travelers insights into the voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu. He vividly shares his first impressions of Honolulu, detailing its tropical beauty and the welcoming nature of its inhabitants. Moreover, the author addresses the impacts of missionary work on Hawaiian society, indicating how this influenced education and character among the native population. This opening section establishes a promising foundation for readers interested in travel literature, historical context, and cultural observations.
Reinhold Anrep-Elmpt
Die Sandwich-Inseln, oder das Inselreich von Hawaii.
"Die Sandwich-Inseln, oder das Inselreich von Hawaii" by Reinhold Anrep-Elmpt is a travel account written in the late 19th century. The author shares his experiences and observations from his travels to the Hawaiian Islands, also known as the Sandwich Islands, showcasing their landscapes, cultural influences, and the historical context of the islands during that period. The narrative delves into the interactions between Europeans and Hawaiians, highlighting the changes brought by colonization and the impact on the native population. The opening of the book begins with a preface where the author expresses a desire to share his travel impressions after encouragement from friends. He contemplates where to start his journey of publication and eventually settles on the Hawaiian Islands, aiming to reveal the greatness found in seemingly small territories. Following this, the narrative transitions into the author’s journey from San Francisco to Honolulu, detailing the ship's preparations, the journey across the Pacific, and his first encounters as he arrives in the scenic harbor of Honolulu. The first chapter sets the stage for a detailed exploration of island life, geography, and societal structures that will follow in the subsequent sections.
Archibald Campbell
A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812 In Which Japan, Kamschatka, the Aleutian islands, and the Sandwich Islands were Visited; Including a Narrative of the Author's Shipwreck on the Island of Sannack, and His Subsequent Wreck in the Ship's Long-Boat; with an Account of the Present State of the Sandwich Islands, and a Vocabulary of Their Language.
"A Voyage Round the World, from 1806 to 1812" by Archibald Campbell is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The book chronicles the author's adventurous sea journey, covering significant areas including Japan, Kamchatka, the Aleutian Islands, and the Sandwich Islands. It presents Campbell's firsthand experiences, including his shipwreck and subsequent survival against the odds, providing a unique insight into the regions he visited during this tumultuous period. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for Campbell's voyage, commencing with his embarkation from England and initial travels to China. It details his experiences while aboard the ship "Eclipse", including encounters at ports and the circumstances leading to a shipwreck. The author vividly describes the ship's perilous moments, his crew's struggle for survival, and their rescue efforts. Through Campbell's engaging storytelling, readers are introduced to the complexities of maritime life at the time, revealing not only the challenges faced by sailors but also the interrelations with diverse cultures along their route.
Mark Twain
Roughing It, Part 7.
"Roughing It, Part 7." by Mark Twain is a section of a semi-autobiographical travel book written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. The work chronicles Twain's adventures through the American West from 1861–1867, joining his brother on a stagecoach journey to Nevada Territory. From Salt Lake City visits to gold prospecting, real-estate speculation, and travels to Hawaii, Twain recounts his formative experiences with the rough-hewn humor that would define his later literary career.
Mark Twain
Roughing It, Part 1.
"Roughing It, Part 1." by Mark Twain is a book of semi-autobiographical travel literature written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. The work chronicles Twain's adventures through the American West from 1861–1867, beginning with a stagecoach journey to join his brother in Nevada Territory. Along the way, he experiences gold and silver prospecting, real-estate speculation, a visit to Salt Lake City, and a journey to Hawaii, while developing his signature rough-hewn humor that would define his later masterpieces.
Mark Twain
Roughing It, Part 6.
"Roughing It, Part 6." by Mark Twain is part of a semi-autobiographical travel book written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. The work chronicles Twain's adventures through the American West from 1861–1867, when he joined his brother on a stagecoach journey to Nevada Territory. The narrative captures gold prospecting, real-estate speculation, a visit to Salt Lake City, travels to Hawaii, and Twain's early career as a writer, all told with his signature rough-hewn humor that would define his later masterpieces.
Mark Twain
Roughing It, Part 4.
"Roughing It, Part 4." by Mark Twain is a semi-autobiographical travel narrative written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. This memoir chronicles Twain's adventures across the American West from 1861–1867, including stagecoach journeys, visits to Salt Lake City, gold and silver prospecting, real-estate speculation, and travels to the Kingdom of Hawaii. The book showcases Twain's rough-hewn humor and captures his early experiences as a writer, blending memory with imagination to create tales of frontier life and fortune-seeking.
Mark Twain
Roughing It, Part 8.
"Roughing It, Part 8." by Mark Twain is part of a semi-autobiographical travel book written in 1870–71 and published in 1872. The work chronicles Twain's adventures through the American West from 1861–1867, including stagecoach travel, visits to Salt Lake City, gold and silver prospecting, real-estate speculation, and a journey to Hawaii. Blending memory with imagination, Twain captures his early experiences with the rough-hewn humor that would define his later literary career.
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