Americas master epic storyteller is at it again, james michener at 81 will publish his 34th book next week. To the north lies alaska, the vast untamed land that master storyteller james michener now. 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. This tireless writer, who has taken us from the south pacific to south africa, from the holy land to outer space and texas, takes us now to alaska. Michener guides us through alaskas fierce terrain and history, from the long forgotten past to the bustling present. Millions of readers were deeply moved, as well as enlightened, by james a. But once i got used to it, well, im totally enthralled by the book. 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, ches. Michener s masterly chronicle of south africa is an epic tale of adventurers, scoundrels, and ministers, the best and worst of two continents who carve an empire out of a vast wilderness. In structure, content, and theme, alaska is most similar to michener s novels hawaii 1959 and centennial 1974. The whiz kids and the 1950 pennant by roberts, robin.
Along with the reading, michener provides a table of contents, a list of acknowledgements, and a fact and fiction section. Michener has conceived and written an epic novel about the land we now know as alaska. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The years that followed, with their great variety of odd jobs and experience, were an important part of his early education. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Alaska takes the reader on a journey through one of the bleakest, richest, most foreboding, and highly inviting territories in our republic, if not the world.
Alaska, by james michener is not just a long story. Michener guides us through alaskas fierce terrain and history, from the longforgotten past. February 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author. I have never visited alaska but i believe i have seen it through his eyes. James michener is very descriptive in all of his books. Michener, 1907 1997 james albert michener was born on february 3, 1907 in doylestown, pa. From the javaborn van doorn family tree springs two great branches. Michener, and i must continue to emphasize how fascinating a writer i. This collection includes a first edition of james micheners novel alaska, published by random house in 1988, the danishlanguage history book benedikte, danmarks rytterprinsesse by sven sabroe copenhagen. Michener describes how animal and plant life occurred in the area and how the three basic groups of natives arrived. Michener weaves together the exciting high points of alaskas story. The high points in the story of alaska since the american acquisition are brought vividly to life through more than 100 characters, real and fictional. Michener 1988 posted on 20108 by thelittleman alaska did not produce supermen, but in its formative periods it was served by men of character and determination, and it is a fortunate land which knows such public servants.
Whatever its flaws, its michener, and the 750,000 first printing leaves no doubt about anything but the cast of the miniseries. Books including first edition alaska by james michener. 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. An epic tale of love, strength, and faith, the source is a richly written saga that encompasses the history of western civilization and the great religious and cultural ideas that have shaped our world. Alaska did not produce supermen, but in its formative periods it was served by men of character and determination, and it is a fortunate land which knows such public servants. 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. Michener served on the advisory council to nasa and the. The story begins with the forming of the continent of north america and takes the reader through modern times. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Michener had numerous bestsellers and works selected for book of the month. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading alaska. Here michener guides us through alaskas fierce terrain and history, from the longforgotten past to the bustling present.
The characters that michener creates are bigger than life. Boston herald michener is still, sentence for sentence, writing s fastest epub attention grabber. 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, chesa. He taught for many years and was an editor for macmillan publishing company. Master storyteller james michener reveals alaska in all its awesome, sweeping majesty.
February 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author of more than 40 books, the majority of which were. He not only describes the location but the personalities that lived through the ages in the location of each book. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read alaska. From the nearforgotten past, to the highly technological present, from selfdefense to selfdetermination, here are the men and women who tried to tame the land, seize its bounty, and lay claim to the elusive spirit that holds native and visitor spellbound. Now almost thirty years later, his subject is our fortyninth, which. Rather, alaska is an epic in the original sense a story that is told over the course of epochs, involving generations of characters and genealogies. May 12, 1988 alaska, by james michener is not just a long story. Author james michener on alaska jane pauley, anchor. Michener creates epics about countries and states and their human and wildlife inhabitants, and makes speculations.
Michener was born in 1907 and raised by a quaker woman in pennsylvania. Written in the typical michener style, the book begins with the geological formation of the alaskan land mass. A spellbinding portrait of a human community fighting to establish its place in the world, alaska traces a bold and majestic saga of the enduring spirit of a land and its people. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Like other michener titles, alaska spans a considerable amount of time, traced through the gradual interlinking of several families. Michener guides us through alaska s fierce terrain and history, from the longforgotten past to the bustling present. Brilliant 1st edition hardcover in glossy photoillustrated covers, signed by author on title page. Withal, however, alaska clops forward at a satisfying pace, the breathtaking landscape is a constant presence, and if the prose doesnt sing, it seldom gets in the way. Praise for alaska few will escape the allure of the land and people michener describes.
In structure, content, and theme, alaska is most similar to micheners novels hawaii 1959 and centennial 1974. Discussion in nonfiction books started by libre, aug 21, 2007. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. As his characters struggle for survival, michener weaves together the exciting high points of alaskas story. Paul iii and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Conditions were harsh but the people survived, as did the animals. Signed by michener on a special bookplate on the first blank page commenorating the north american inaguaral cruise of crown princess. In this sweeping epic of the northernmost american frontier, james a. This study guide consists of approximately pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of alaska. At first, i found his style to be sparse, which is odd, considering the book is like pages. Michener was born in new york in 1907 and grew up in doylestown, pennsylvania, which he left at fourteen to bum his way crosscountry.