I have to admit that I'd really only give this book 3.5 stars, but that's not an option... It's a really good book and I do recommend it to anyone interested in Hawaii, but I just couldn't get lost in it like I did with other Michener novels.The story follows the history of Hawaii from volcanic formation to statehood. Though it is entirely about Hawaii, a surprising amount of the story takes place outside of Hawaii. Aside from the obvious connections to Tahiti, there's also plenty of info on New England, China and Japan. You'll learn about agriculture, politics, religion, and most of all - people.If you aren't particularly interested in Hawaii but want to experience a great Michener novel, take a look at Carribean, Chesapeak, or Alaska.