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From: techpub@mhuxt.UUCP (mcgrew)
Newsgroups: net.books
Subject: Re: Any Michener Fans Out There?
Message-ID: <812@mhuxt.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Apr-85 14:17:24 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.812
Posted: Fri Apr 26 14:17:24 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Apr-85 05:35:18 EST
References: <5270@tekecs.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
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> For some reason, I seem to enjoy books by James A. Michener, even though 
> reading one of his books is a major investment of time.   After completing
> one of his novels, I usually take a few months to a year off before attempting
> to read another.  Of the books I've completed so far, this is my personal
> ranking (years are dates published):
> 
>                   1.  Chesapeake (1979)
>                   2.  Hawaii (1956?)
>                   3.  Centennial (1974)
>                   4.  Space (1982)
>                   5.  The Covenant (1980)
> 
> 
> I have "Poland" in my book drawer at home, but will probably take a break
> with some science fiction after completing "The Covenant."
> 
> I'm also impressed by the research that goes into one of Michener's books.
> In "The Covenant", there are five pages of research acknowledgements.
>                   
> 
>                               -- Walt Tucker
>                                  Tektronix, Inc.


I too am a Michener fan.  I have read Centennial, Poland, The Covenant, and
Bridge at Andau and agree that usually by the time the end of the book is
getting close, I'm tired of reading.  However, he does portray such a ralistic
picture of what he's writing about that I usually don't have much trouble
finishing his books.  My favorite was probably The Bridge at Andau
which was written in '56 I believe, right around the time of the Hungarian
Revolution.  It was extremely interesting since I didn't really know that
much about Hungary and their oppression of that time.  God what those people
didn't do trying to break free from Russia.  Excellent read and it isn't
even that long -- about 100-150 pages I think.  Poland would have to be my
second favorite.  Excellent!  The only problem I had with this one was
pronouncing the names of characters and towns, etc.  At one point Michener
includes a page on how to handle the pronounciations but he included
the page too late--it should have been in the beginning of the book.  I enjoyed
Centennial for the most part, especially the first 4 or 5 chapters but
towards the end, I don't know, it just got a bit boring.

Currently, I have Iberia waiting for me.  It should be interesting--travels
and experiences in Spain, but like you Walt, I have to take long breaks in
between.

I thought The Covenant was excellent and gave me so much insight to the
problems that S Africa has experienced for so long.

Happy Reading!

Melanie Accomando
mhuxt!techpub