Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That song from Finding Forrester..., February 22, 2010
This review is from: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future (33 1/3 series) (Paperback)
Every once and a while you hear a song in the credits of a movie, and though you have no idea what the song is, or who it's by, that song perfectly matches the emotions from the movie's ending. Such is the case of Iz Kamakawiwo'ole's beautiful ukelele version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" that played during the credits of Finding Forrester.
I've seen that movie countless times. It's always a tear jerker for me. But the tears come - not when Sean Connery's character dies - but when Iz's music starts playing. The melody and vocals are so forlorn, yet so hopeful...almost unearthly. It's a masterful pairing. But like most songs that roll with the credits, it's a song you never hear anything more about.
However, this song was different. I eventually tracked it down, and after listening to it countless times, decided to find out more about the singer. Turns out it was a thousand pound hawaiian named Iz who was apparently worshipped by his fellow islanders, suffering from a drug problem, and being put through the ringer by bad management. It also turns out...he was dead. It was enough to whet my appetite.
I quickly discovered Dan Kois's 'Facing Future' on Amazon and made my purchase on a whim. I am so glad I did. The author writes in a way that lets you not only learn about Iz's amazing life, but become a part of it. It's hard to tell whether it's the author's writing style, or the richness of Iz's life, but the book is far more engrossing than most standard non-fiction. You will be deeply moved by this gentle giant's honest story, and devastated by how it was cut short.
I highly recommend 'Facing Future' to readers of all genres. You will not be disappointed.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An encyclopedia of IZ's life and the history of Hawaiian music, January 29, 2010
This review is from: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future (33 1/3 series) (Paperback)
Finished the book a couple of weeks ago and then sat next to a woman born and raised in Hawaii and we talked for two hours about IZ and the islands. Great job Dan. I really enjoyed it and wished it didn't end. A great book for those people who enjoy the music but haven't spent much time there and an outstanding book for those of us with such a strong respect and love for the people, culture and history. Not only does it capture IZ's life and rise to a guardian of Hawaiian culture, it shows how he (like Eddie Aikua) unconsciously became a hero to its people. Really enjoyed reliving a lot of the memories as you explored the different corners of Oahu and brought to life the history and depth of Hawaiian music.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bruddah Dan tells the haunting story of Iz, March 18, 2010
This review is from: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Future (33 1/3 series) (Paperback)
You've been to Hawaii, right? Actually, have you ever been to any place that tries to put forth a "tropical" summery vibe, up to and including the place that rents innertubes at Harper's Ferry? Then you know the sound of Iz.
That would be Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. (Everyone called him Iz.) He's the one who recorded that ukelele version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which appeared on his album "Facing Future," which was released in 1993. (The "Over the Rainbow" cover was made one drunken night in 1988.) Millions of record sales later, that song has been used in a lot of commercials -- especially commercials aiming to make yuppies feel more ethereal about their purchases and vacation plans -- and basically anyplace you've ever ordered a daiquiri. As much as it makes me think of the Sheraton in Kona, it also makes me think of the Internet bubble economy circa 2000.
That's where Dan Kois comes in. He's written "Facing Future" for the 33-1/3 book series. (The series of books pairs a writer up with a legendary album and has the writer do a pocket-sized book-length essay about it.)
I had the pleasure of reading Facing Future in manuscript form last summer. Of all the authors who've ever asked me to read their book for them, this was the one I put the least amount of red pen marks on. It's an engaging and tragic story, quite well told, about a darker and more wistful side of life and death in Hawaii.
(Review repurposed from my blog, hankstuever + dot + com ... come by sometime.)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Love IZ, Love the Book!
What a great little book! My wife discovered Over the Rainbow/Wondeful World watching 50 First Dates and was able to find Facing Future at a Barnes and Noble and we simply fell...
Published 2 months ago by Matthew C. Miller
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Mahalo from a haole
I so enjoyed this book. I knew little about Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, or Hawaii for that matter, before I started reading, and I've learned so much since.
Published 4 months ago by S. Shelden
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Great new addition to the 33 1/3 line
This is the first 33 1/3 book in three years. I don't know what took them so long, but it's good to see this unique and worthy publisher back on track.
Published 5 months ago by Erik Ketzan
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Both Exotic and American
This book is not only an interesting look into the making of a specific record, it's also a fascinating cheat sheet for Hawaiian culture, which is both genially familiar and...
Published 8 months ago by Ehren T. Gresehover
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5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite IZ album, so far
Just started collecting IZ albums, and "Facing Future" is my favorite, so far. I also have "Alone in His World" and "In Dis World".
Published 17 months ago by Joan Garro
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