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A 40-year love affair with history
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Posted on Feb 04 2019
CNMI historian Don Farrell, left, receives his Northern Marianas Humanities Council for Research and Publication in the Humanities award from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres during the recent 21st Governor’s Humanities Awards at the Hyatt Regency Saipan. (Jon Perez)
Don Farrell’s almost 40-year writing career has produced over 10 published books, the last of which is Tinian and the Bomb, the story of how the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were developed.
Farrell, whose first published book was a pictorial history of Guam’s Liberation in 1944, was recognized last Jan. 24 by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council during the 21st Governor’s Humanities Awards.
The longtime educator has documented the history of the CNMI in Tinian and the Bomb, and The Modern History of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“I do hope that future editions of [The Modern History of the Northern Mariana Islands] will be researched and written by indigenous historians,” said Farrell, who was recognized by the council for his contribution in Research and Publication in the Humanities.
He describes the two books as labors of love. “I’m passionate with what I’ve been doing in the last 40 years now. And, as I’ve said before, I enjoy it very much,” added Farrell, who also challenged the younger generation to take on the role of CNMI historian.
“There is one shortage, in the record of the history of the Marianas, and it would certainly help future historians do a better job of writing the history of the CNMI. Particularly the history of Saipan, for some courageous young Carolinian to write the Carolinian history of Saipan. I hope someone would step forward [and take up] that challenge.”
He thanked all the people who helped him accomplish his work. “It has been my great pleasure to research and write these books. Support from many well-known authors who provided input on technical issues was critical. I also had help from an excellent editor and a fine graphics artist. Editing by Scott Russell was essential, as was the graphics art talents of Emelinda Cabrera and Ron Smith.”
The Modern History of the Northern Mariana Islands is a publication of the CNMI Public School System.
Copies of the books are available from the PSS Treasurer on Capital Hill, Bestseller, and American Memorial Park Visitors Center. All money raised from sales of this book goes to a PSS revolving fund.
