I'm tempted to open this review by saying that American politics is like the weather... everybody talks about it, but no one does anything about it! And transition swiftly to this: it's amazing that people like Ben come along and indeed decide to DO something. And then, frosting on the cake, write a book that says clearly what he did, where he might've failed while trying, and the triumph that comes solely from knowing you did your best with what you had in a complex situation. I feel a lot of sympathy for Uncle Ben because, like him, I grew up in poverty in the tropics. But here's a guy who managed to become a two-time governor of a state! His book is simultaneously a biography, a history of modern Hawaii, and a how-to on making your way in the multi-layered political realm. For all of its complexity, this book is a remarkably easy read. I'd recommend it for anyone who hopes to understand Hawaii, anyone thinking of getting into politics, or anyone just striving to understand how things work in America.
