Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas. Micheners the watermen is a unique tribute to the adventurous seafarers of the chesapeake bay. For those that love sweeping epic novels, this is a book for you. Through native and later colonial eyes, the reader gets a good feel for the bounty available in this area. Michener 1986, cassette, abridged new free shipping. The first edition of the novel was published in 1978, and was written by james a.
The history of the eastern shore of maryland from 1583 to 1978 demonstrates. The main characters of this fiction, historical story are. It was published by fawcett and has a total of 1024 pages in the book. Michener served on the advisory council to nasa and the international broadcast board, which oversees the voice of america. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas, caribbean, and caravans, and the memoir the world is my home. First trade with the random house designation for first printing. The central scene of micheners historical novel is that section of marylands eastern shore, hardly more than 10 miles square. Michener begins with the natives just prior to settlement by colonial english. The hundred or so characters are firmly presented as types e.
Micheners numerous bestselling novels also included the. This particular edition is in a mass market paperback format. Ive owned this book in hardcover for many, many years and wanted the kindle edition to avoid wearing out the hardcover one. Sprawling across centuries and subjects, it traces the histories of several fictional families residing in the chesapeake bay in maryland and virginia, between 1583 and 1978. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prize winning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas, caribbean, and caravans, and the memoir the world is my home.
Michener had numerous bestsellers and works selected for book of the month club, and was known for his meticulous research behind the books. Albert michener, born around 1907, won the pulitzer prize for his first fiction, tales of the south pacific. Michener spoke to the local population about his new book. Michener served on the advisory council to nasa and the. James was born on february 3, 1907 in new york, united states.
The book is typical michener, and uses individual stories across generations to. Michener brings his grand epic tradition to bear on the fourhundredyear saga of americas eastern shore, from its native american roots to the modern age. I love the way michener mixes historical fact with his fictional characters to tell his story. Excerpted from the pulitzer prizewinning authors classic chesapeake, this enthralling novel has a unity and a spirit all its own, telling the story of the bay and its wildlife, but especially of the. Michener, american novelist, born february 3, 1907. He was married to mari michener, vange nord and patti koon.
Michener 19071997 was one of the worlds most popular writers. Michener brings his grand epic tradition to bear on. In chesapeake, he forms a novel around that area in maryland that borders the choptank river, a tributary of chesapeake bay. I bought this book so i could reread it and relive the excitement found there, as in all of james micheners epics.
Michener brings his grand epic tradition to bear on the fourhundredyear saga of americas eastern shore. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of chesapeake by james michener. He is known for his work on adventures in paradise 1959, return to paradise 1953 and south pacific 1958. Micheners most ambitious work of fiction in theme and scope. In chesapeake by james a michener, the story begins with voyage 1 in 1583. James michener, in full james albert michener, born february 3, 1907. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, more about james a. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Following edmund steed and his remarkable family, who parallel the settling and forming of the nation, chesapeake sweeps readers from the unspoiled. The title of this book is chesapeake and it was written by james a.
Tom clancy on america, government, history, writing, and the private sector 1990 speech duration. Micheners enthralling new novel tells a magnificent historical saga of our land and its people, focusing on the generations of seven brawling, burgeoning familiestheir failures and triumphs, their uniquely american spirit and driveliving on marylands chesapeake bay. Us stamp april musical south pacific, based on book by james michener, opened at majestic theater new york city for performances. In the early 1600s, young edmund steed is desperate to escape religious persecution in england. He was abandoned by his birth parents but soon adopted by a quaker widow named mabel michener. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. The bestselling book was adapted into the popular musical and film, south pacific. It seems that micheners writing style either fascinates or tries the patience of his readers.
Without the frame or the focus that loosely held centennial together, this massive but arbitrarily fragmented eastcoast community historya maryland island, 15831978is almost devoid of traditional novelistic pleasure. In this exceptional memoir, the man himself tells the story of his remarkable life and describes the people, events, and ideas that shaped it. Chesapeake by james a michener book cover, description, publication history. Chesapeake by james michener, first edition abebooks. Pentaquod, a susquehannocks, is a peaceloving indian but this goes against his. I almost wish i had not waded into this column, a revisit to chesapeake, the 1978 novel of 859 pages by james a. The wall street journal a marvelous panorama of history seen in the lives of symbolic people of the ages. He authored more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas, caribbean, and caravans, and the memoir the world is my home. Chesapeake is a marvelous book in a long series of marvelous michener books. Michener 19071997 was an american author of historical fiction and nonfiction. Free download or read online chesapeake pdf epub book. Buy chesapeake by james a michener online at alibris.
The town of patamoke lies on a fictitious promontory on the choptank. To this point come the founders of families that will dominate the story. Chesapeake is as much about a way of life, as it is about the place and its people. Chesapeake is a 1978 novel by american author james a. The story deals with several families living in the chesapeake bay area around virginia and maryland, from 1583 to 1978. Marks united methodist church hall in easton on may 17, 1978. Following edmund steed and his remarkable family, who parallel the settling and forming of the nation, chesapeake sweeps readers from the unspoiled world of the native americans to the voyages of captain john smith, the revolutionary war, and right up to modern times. Nor does all of micheners digested research produce painless fact feasts. Showcasing the evocative artwork created by john moll for this special edition, james a.
He wrote more than 40 books, most of which were lengthy, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. The book is bound in green cloth over boards with gold lettering on the spine. Michener was born on february 3, 1907 in new york city, new york, usa as james albert michener. James michener was born on february 1907 in new york city.