● Wow. It's been two days since my copy
of your book showed up on my doorstep, and my jaw is still hanging down in
amazement. I have about 1,200 books in my collection, and yours surely ranks in
the top 10 of all time. In terms of content, writing quality, research quality,
comprehensiveness, abundance and quality of photos, and high quality production,
this is a book without peer ... I am constantly tempted off track to indulge
myself in reading your masterpiece. David Karp, Fruit Detective, Writer, the Los
Angeles Times & Researcher, University of California, Riverside
● I received your fantastic book a couple of days ago. I am overwhelmed by this
gesture and the very high quality of its text and pictures. This is the No.1
!!!! book on bananas dealing with varieties and their context. I consider this
book of very, very high value and an example of how future books on banana
should be developed. Dr. Rony Swennan, Division Head, Division of Crop
Biotechnics & Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement, Leuven, Belgium
● Once again, I am heavily under the charm of your book ...(it) will be
consulted repeatedly by many scientists for at least a century... how strikingly
relevant and performant are the descriptors in the keys and text for any
taxonomist ... with photos that directly show what is meant. Professor Edmond De Langhe, Professor Emeritus ("godfather" of bananas), Bioversity International
(formerly INIBAP - International Network for Banana & Plantain), France &
Belgium
● I love this book! Although it is encyclopedic in its depth and breadth, the
prose makes it accessible and of interest to the casual reader while giving the
botanist a plethora of valuable information. Thus, it is a scientific reference
text, an engaging coffee table book, and a compendium of how-to tips for banana
growers all at the same time. Anyone wanting to learn about Hawaiian history
will discover many intimacies about Hawaiian culture, as the authors have dug
deep into Hawaiian lore to rediscover the role that bananas have played in
allowing Polynesians to successfully colonize these islands. Those who are
interested in banana cultivation and diversity will find more useful information
than one could hope for. It weaves together nearly 2000 beautiful color photos
and drawings with keen-eyed flower descriptions, vignettes of Hawaiian legends
involving bananas, connections to bananas throughout Polynesia and beyond, and
practical advice on how to grow almost every banana variety found in Hawai'i
(and deal with possible pests and diseases) ... The authors have done more than
just their homework here; they have probed many remote locations and forgotten
valleys and sought out the wisdom of the world's leading banana researchers
along with that of old-time Hawaiian farmers to create a book that likely will
never be rivaled in its contribution to its subject. Bravo! Dr. John Carothers,
Professor of Biology, Cabrillo College, California
● This is an incredible resource for anyone interested in bananas. It is by far
the most comprehensive treatment of the subject ever produced and is written in
an engaging and entertaining style, without sacrificing scientific integrity."
Jan Elliott, Fellow of National Tropical Botanical Garden, Hāna, Maui
● I just got the new banana book by Angela Kepler ... a real masterpiece! A
real beaut! There is a lot of original work done on the Hawaiian type bananas,
previously unclassified, but includes all bananas, even including some of the
ornamental ones. It's the kind of book that might take me 10 years to absorb.
Tons of information! Honestly, this book is a gold mine. I suspect it's the best
banana book ever printed, or will be printed for a long time to come... My
congratulations and kudos to Angela Kepler!! ... She is a very ambitious lady!
Oscar Jaitt, Tropical Fruit Forum, Pahoa, Hawai`i
● I just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for your book! I am a banana
amateur ... Your book has given me so much information about Hawaiian varieties,
nutrition, disease, etc. I'm about two-thirds of the way through, and I just so
enjoy every page and look forward to diving into it day after day. It's also
made me realize how versatile bananas are as a food... Mahalo again for creating
this book! I have learned so much, and will continue to use it as a reference
for years to come. Rob Guzman, Puna, Hawai`i
● I am AMAZED, not just by the sheer amount of work that you have put into it,
but also by the quality of it. Dr. Lois Daly, Biologist and Nutritionist,
Christchurch, New Zealand.
● I received your book. I would rather not say, a book, but a treasure!! ... A
visual treat ... You have both done a commendable work. My congratulations. I
will be ordering another one for our institution library. Dr. Uma Binita,
Principal Scientist, National Research Center for Banana, Trichy, India
● Here beginneth a paean of praise for your fantastic, huge achievement ...
your monumental book is a TRIUMPH ... Very few people could have done it. It
takes a rare blend of practical and academic ability, plus enormous application
... by golly, you deserve hats off! Dr. Bryan Nelson, F.R.S.E., Professor
Emeritus, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
● Wow! Your Banana Bible is truly amazing. Certainly one of the most beautiful
and useful books I've ever held... The research, stories, photos, artwork and
layout are amazing. I can't imagine a more comprehensive volume... I love the
lore. Your Chapter 7 description of the "pregnant banana" is just brilliant ...
So readable and fun! I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that your
wonderful book has already furthered our understanding of bananas, Hawaiian in
particular and reignited my interest in both bananas and Hawai'i. Thank you
again for creating and sharing such an incredible book. Your work, your love of
bananas, will be with us always. Max & Anissa Caruso, Sebastopol, California
● I got your fantastic book! Will always treasure it ... I'm so proud of this
huge accomplishment ... Congratulations! Josephine Hoh, Director, Waimea Valley
Arboretum, O`ahu, Hawai`i
● Congratulations on accomplishing the realization of the goal you have
pursued relentlessly for nearly a decade – the publication of this giant of a
book. Dr. Richard Manshardt, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human
Resources, University of Hawai`i, Honolulu
● Such an impressive manual! No doubt it will become an invaluable resource
for years to come. As always, you are an inspiration. Sarah Wilson, Nursery
Manager, Waimea Valley Arboretum, O`ahu, Hawai`i
● Bananas that have all but disappeared from farmers’ fields live on in a
meticulously documented and beautifully illustrated book ... Acting on clues in
Hawaii’s oral tradition, the authors hired helicopters to survey inaccessible
valleys where banana-eating forest dwellers were said to have lived. The
spectacular photos they brought back show clumps of bananas hanging on for dear
life on steep mountainsides. Sifting through archaeological and ethnological
records, and turning their garden into a sanctuary and research collection for
Hawaiian bananas, are only some examples of the dedication the authors brought
to writing and illustrating the most comprehensive book on bananas in Hawaii, a
project that took nine years to complete ... spending countless hours making
detailed observations and taking stunning photographs of banana plants as they
were growing ... Without Angela and Frank, it’s quite possible that some of the
19 varieties of Hawaiian bananas that are teetering on the edge of extinction
might have disappeared by now. It can only be hoped that this attractive book
will help revive interest in the bananas that sustained ancient Hawaiians and
shaped their culture. Anne Vezina, Bioversity International, Montpellier, France
● All I can say is “WOW & CONGRATULATIONS”. It is truly the bible of bananas.
You sure did put your heart and soul into it. Maurice Kong, Rare Fruit Council
International, Miami, Florida
● Your wonderful book ... is even more amazing that I would have imagined ...
a real encyclopedia and I will be able to learn a lot ... There is so much to be
learnt! Dr. Vincent Lebot, Principal Horticulturalist, CIRAD, Port-Vila, Vanuatu
● (We) are so thrilled to have received the most wonderful book on Bananas of Hawai`i. The pictures are breathtaking and the pages extremely informative. Also
thanks for the acknowledgement; it means so much to be associated with both of
you. Each evening I look forward to reading my banana book! Don and Katie Chafin,
Going Bananas Nursery, Miami, Florida
● WOW. I am stunned, what an amazing book ... You know that I will read every
word of it. Even having an idea did not quite prepare me. Malama pono. Erik
Burton, Operations Director, Restore Kaua'i, Lihue, Kaua`i, Hawai`i
● I thank you so much for your book, which is indeed an epic and unique
masterpiece. As I will treasure the copy with your dedication at home, I wanted
to order another copy for the library of our lab. Dr. Jaroslav Dolezel,
Scientific Director, Centre for Biotechnological & Agricultural Research,
Institute of Experimental Botany, Olomouc, Czech Republic