Haole is a native Hawaiian term for a white person. Finnegan recalls being regarded as an Haole when he moved to Hawaii.

Haole

When surfers “make a wave,” they ride it in its entirety without falling off their boards. Finnegan uses this term many times throughout his work as he remembers riding different waves.

Making a Wave

A pipeline is a hollow, thick wave that curves over surfers as they ride it. Pipelines are notoriously dangerous and difficult waves, which only experienced surfers attempt.

Pipeline

Goofyfoot

Genres

Action & Adventure

Values & Ideas

Appearance Versus Reality

Humanities

Books About Art

Books & Literature

Society

Class

Social Issues

Life & Time

Coming-of-Age Journeys

Community

Contemporary Books on Social Justice

Book Events

Earth Day

Relationships

Friendship

Nonfiction

Inspiring Biographies

Memoir

Government & Business

Politics & Government

Poverty & Homelessness

Awards

Pulitzer Prize Fiction Awardees & Honorees

Safety & Danger

Natural World

Science & Nature

The Best of "Best Book" Lists

YA & Middle-Grade Books on Bullying

William Finnegan

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Guide

Study Guide

Book Brief

Explore Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Book Brief Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.