Having lived in Afghanistan, James E.T. Moncur, director of the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center & Environmental Center, recommends The Bookseller of Kabul, by Asne Seierstad. “After the Taliban fell, Seierstat lived for a year with an Afghan family. Writing in literary style, she personalizes the country’s poverty, the iron rule of family patriarchs, the complete subjugation of women and the ravages of decades of war.” Little Brown and Co., 2003.

DVD

Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, recommends The Last Samurai. It “has something for everyone—beautiful cinematography depicting a quaint, rural, 19th century Japanese village steeped in tradition and sworn to the old ways; vivid battle scenes complete with authentic war attire, weapons, blood, gore, honor and sacrifice; and a poignant love story where Tom Cruise reminded me of Richard Chamberlain in Shogun. Great movie!” Warner Bro., 2003.

CD

Gregg Hammer, 93.9 I-94 Disk Jockey and local comedian, recommends George Carlin’s Complaints and Grievances. “This is by far one of the funniest live-concert recordings that Carlin has ever released. The humor (and language) is biting, but is classic new-age Carlin. He covers everything from Singers with one name’ to People who should be killed.’ If you’re stuck in traffic and don’t mind colorful language and political incorrectness, this is a must-have.” Atlantic, 2001.

This article appears in the March 2005 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.