Surfer of the Century

Review
By Papertigers.org

At a time in American history when racism was widely acceptable, Duke Kahanamoku overcame the dual stigmas of being both poor and dark-skinned to achieve athletic excellence and to earn the respect and admiration of people all over the world. Ellie Crowe’s lovingly crafted biography should inspire many readers to follow his example. Richard Waldrep’s gorgeous illustrations, reminiscent of the art deco airbrush paintings you often see in “Tiki-style” collections, perfectly compliment Duke’s story. Looking at these pictures, you can almost feel the cool water, warm sunshine, and soft breezes of Hawaii. Let’s go!