Unfamiliar fishes
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-238).

"Of all the countries the United States invaded or colonized in 1898, Vowell considers the story of Americanization of Hawaii to be the most intriguing. From the arrival of the New England missionaries in 1820, who came to Chrisianize the local heathen, the the coup d'etat led by the missionaries' sons in 1893, overthrowing the Hawiian queen, the events leading up to American annexation feature a cast of beguiling if often appalling or tragic charaters. Sugar barons, con men, Theodore Roosevelt, and the last Hawaiian queen, a songwriter whose sentimental ode "Aloha Oe" serenaded the first Hawaiian-born president of the United States during his 2009 inaugural parade."--p.[2] of cover.