James L. Haley

Very enjoyable history of Hawai’i told in a dispassionate and seemingly unbiased manner that reveals both good and bad will among all players. The history reveals far more nuanced events with goals that sometimes conflicted and sometimes coincided.

Good, detailed biography, but I heard there is a better one, so I'm going to read that one too. He was a very fascinating character. Quite masculine, but very sensitive too.

A slow start but a fine finish to this latest Captain Putnam adventure. Off to quell pirates in the Pacific segues into Hawaii as a monarchy, missionaries, and very careful diplomacy.

Still a farmer at heart, Bliven Putnam does his duty and goes back to sea in a small sloop. Fretting over the impressment of his friend Sam challenges his concentration for his naval career. He does manage to be present when Old Ironsides becomes the nickname for the frigate USS Constitution as well as during both of her victories over British warships. A good insightful story about events little known to those who read about naval history during the Age of Sail.