Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America's First Imperial Adventure

Lost Kingdom chronicles the dramatic transformation of Hawaii from an independent nation to a U.S. territory in the late 19th century. At the center of this history is Queen Lili'uokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian kingdom, who faced powerful forces both within and beyond her islands. The narrative tracks the rise of American business interests in Hawaii, particularly the sugar plantation owners who gained increasing control over the economy and politics. Through extensive research and primary sources, Siler details the complex relationships between native Hawaiians, American missionaries-turned-businessmen, and international powers vying for influence over the strategically located island chain. This work explores themes of imperialism, cultural preservation, and the collision between traditional monarchy and American commercial expansion. The story reveals how economic interests and geopolitical ambitions reshaped the fate of an entire nation and its people.

Readers describe this as a dense but readable history focused on the Hawaiian monarchy's final years. Many note it works well as both a business history of sugar plantations and a political narrative of Hawaii's path to U.S. annexation. Liked: - Clear explanation of complex historical events and relationships - Detailed research and extensive source citations - Focus on Queen Liliuokalani's personal story - Balanced portrayal of multiple perspectives Disliked: - Some find the sugar industry details excessive - Several readers note confusing jumps in chronology - Multiple reviewers wanted more Hawaiian cultural context - A few cite factual errors about Hawaiian language and customs Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (580+ ratings) Notable review: "Explains the economic and political forces behind annexation clearly, but sometimes gets bogged down in business minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌺 Author Julia Flynn Siler spent over three years researching Hawaiian history, conducting more than 100 interviews and visiting numerous archives across multiple countries. 🌺 Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawaii's last monarch, was a gifted musician who composed over 150 songs, including the famous "Aloha 'Oe" which she wrote in 1878. 🌺 The book reveals how a small group of American businessmen, known as the "Big Five," came to control 90% of Hawaii's sugar industry and wielded enormous political influence. 🌺 Before writing this book, Siler was a veteran Wall Street Journal reporter who specialized in business journalism, bringing unique economic insights to this historical narrative. 🌺 The Hawaiian monarchy's overthrow in 1893 marked the first time the United States helped depose a foreign government in what would become a pattern of American interventionism.