Queen Kaʻahumanu of Hawaii

<p> King Kamehameha the Great had 30 wives. Ka'ahumanu (c.1768-1832) was his favorite. Descended from Oceanian voyagers she grew up in a society completely isolated from the rest of the world her life enmeshed in dynastic wars and constrained by an elaborate system of taboos. In 1778 she was shocked by the arrival of alien ships followed by an influx of foreigners. In their wake came devastating epidemics. </p><p> Seizing power after the King's death Ka'ahumanu overturned those taboos and guided her nation through revolutionary change crucial to the Hawaiian Islands' unification. Through sicknesses romances infidelities murders rebellions pardons travels missionary work and more her story challenges many beliefs about American history Christianity and gender. Further it has implications for current debates about immigration sexuality and religious diversity.</p><p> Drawing on seldom-analyzed French and Russian sources this biography covers neglected aspects of Ka'ahumanu's life. The many spouses and lovers she and Kamehameha had the roles played by Central Europeans African-Americans Catholics and Unitarians in her realm and struggles with religious pluralism are all included.</p>