Working from original research and a re-evaluation of existing sources, Morgan (Strategic Studies, Marine Corps War College) gives an account of the annexation of Hawaii during the Spanish-American war of 1898. Hawaii's position as the only comfortably habitual land mass within a radius of nearly 2,000 miles of Pacific Ocean makes it a strategically important base. Touching on Hawaii's colonial history for context, Morgan focuses on the years immediately prior to annexation, showing how the increasing political influence from Japan, increasing numbers of Japanese immigrants, and conflicts between the United States and Japan led the United States to finally take action and annex Hawaii. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)