In 'Lost Kingdom,' Julia Flynn Siler unveils the captivating tale of Hawaii's tumultuous history and the fall of its monarchy. Through the lens of Princess Ka'iulani, the last heir to the Hawaiian throne, the narrative explores themes of identity, resilience, and the clash of cultures. As colonial powers converge, the story reveals the bittersweet beauty of a kingdom on the brink of collapse. Siler's vivid storytelling immerses readers in a world of lush landscapes and political intrigue that shaped a nation. Discover how the echoes of this lost kingdom continue to resonate today, beckoning exploration of cultural heritage and longing for home.
By Julia Flynn Siler
Published: 2013
"In the shadows of history, the heart of a kingdom beats strongest, woven from the dreams and struggles of its people."
"Only one American state was formally a sovereign monarchy. In this compelling narrative, the award-winning journalist Julia Flynn Siler chronicles how this Pacific kingdom, creation of a proud Polynesian people, was encountered, annexed, and absorbed." —Kevin Starr, historian, University of Southern California Around 200 A.D., intrepid Polynesians paddled thousands of miles across the Pacific and arrived at an undisturbed archipelago. For centuries, their descendants lived with almost no contact from the Western world but in 1778 their profound isolation was shattered with the arrival of Captain Cook. Deftly weaving together a memorable cast of characters, Lost Kingdom brings to life the ensuing clash between the vulnerable Polynesian people and the relentlessly expanding capitalist powers. Portraits of royalty, rogues, sugar barons, and missionaries combine into a sweeping tale of the Hawaiian kingdom’s rise and fall. At the center of the story is Lili‘uokalani, the last queen of Hawaii. Born in 1838, she lived through the nearly complete economic transformation of the islands. Lucrative sugar plantations owned almost exclusively by white planters, dubbed the "Sugar Kings," gradually subsumed the majority of the land. Hawaii became a prize in the contest between America, Britain, and France, each of whom were seeking to expand their military and commercial influence in the Pacific. Lost Kingdom is the tragic story of Lili‘uokalani’s family and their fortunes. The monarchy had become a figurehead, victim to manipulation from the wealthy sugar-plantation owners. Upon ascending to the throne, Lili‘uokalani was determined to enact a constitution reinstating the monarchy’s power but she was outmaneuvered and, in January 1893, U.S. Marines from the USS Boston marched through the streets of Honolulu to the palace. The annexation of Hawaii had begun, ushering in a new century of American imperialism.
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“In the shadows of history, the heart of a kingdom beats strongest, woven from the dreams and struggles of its people.”
Lost Kingdom
By Julia Flynn Siler
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Julia Flynn Siler is an acclaimed American author and journalist, known for her compelling narrative style and in-depth research. She has penned several notable works, including 'The Lost History of the New Madrid Earthquakes,' 'The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty,' and 'The Silver Spoon: A Memoir of My Early Years.' Siler's writing often blends personal memoir with historical narrative, inviting readers into the complex worlds of her subjects. With a background in journalism, she brings a meticulous attention to detail and a narrative flair that captures the intricacies of both human experience and historical events.
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