Caribbean by James A. Michener
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Book Reviews of Caribbean
Book Review: excellent, in-depth .. top-notch michener
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have read and like michener, this is a classic (my personal favorite). If you have not, classic michener means that he takes a very in-depth, well researched area and wraps a novel around it. In Carribean, he looks at the evolution from the Mayan times to the modern, covering the cultures, the facts and the myths. What makes it fun is the way he wraps his exhaustive research of the facts into the regions myths and a set of characters. This makes the novels fun and interesting, because even though the people are ficticious, one identifies more with the stories of people than a textbook approach to the facts.The chapters, dealing with different historical periods, focus on various sub-regions as they wane and wax in power and importance. It particularly appealed to my interest in history and frankly may be tiresome to those who do not have the same passion for history (ie, if you don't like historical accounts, you may not like this book!)
Oh, yes, there are pirates, human sacrefice, and you learn where the term barbeque comes from...you may not want to know that!
Book Review: One of Michener's best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read JOURNEY, ALASKA, CHEAPEAK, and HAWAII. CARIBBEAN is close to the top of my list. Though this isn't "heavy" reading (like Homer for instance), it isn't exactly "light" either. It is sometimes hard to follow, because so much material from various regions is covered. I often found myself looking back for details I'd forgotten. However, I find the challenge rewarding. I also appreciate Michener's consideration for the reader - he is never vulgar or explicitly sexual. I find that refreshing in today's society. I learned a great deal from this book, including where "barbeque", "bacon", and "grog" got their meanings. I never really enjoyed history, so I've learned much more from Michener than I would have normally. Perhaps if I were an historian or a literary critic I'd knock it down a star or two, but I am blissfully ingnorant of any faults :-)
For reference purposes, from the list above I rated CHESAPEAK at 5+ stars and ALASKA at 4.5
Book Review: AS GOOD AS TEXAS AND 5 Stars
MY FAVORITE MICHENER BOOK IS CENTENNIAL, THEN ALASKA, BUT THISBOOK RANKS UP THERE WITH THEM. I HAVE A HARD TIME PUTTING IT
DOWN AND LOVE GETTING BACK TO IT. IT IS WRITTEN WITH COLOR AND
MUCH HISTORICAL ACCURACY. THERE ARE MANY INTERESTING "BITS" IN
THE STORY THAT YOU MISS IN DRY HISTORY. AN YET YOU FEEL AS IF
YOU ARE WATCHING ALL THIS ACTION AND INTRIGUE HAPPENING BETWEEN
ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS THAT MADE UP THIS COLORFUL TIME IN
THE HISTORY OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE WORLD.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS Review: AS GOOD AS TEXAS AND 5 Stars MY FAVORITE MICHENER BOOK IS CENTENNIAL, THEN ALASKA, BUT THIS
BOOK RANKS UP THER WITH THEM. I HAVE A HARD TIME PUTTING IN
DOWN AND LOVE GETTING BACK TO IT. IT IS WRITTEN WITH COLOR AND
MUCH HISTORICAL ACCURACY. THERE ARE MANY INTERESTING "BITS" IN
THE STORY THAT YOU MISS IN DRY HISTORY. AN YET YOU FEEL AS IF
YOU ARE WATCHING ALL THIS ACTION AND INTRIGUE HAPPENING BETWEEN
ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS THAT MADE UP THIS COLORFUL TIME IN
THE HISTORY OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE WORLD.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS Review: Perhaps Michener's best
Summary: 5 Stars It is hard to pick a very favorite Michener book if you like his writing, but "Caribbean" quite possibly takes the cake. It tells the story of this tropical maritime region of the world, from the Taino Indians of Puerto Rico, through the ages of exploration, conquest, conversion and war, up to a group taking a cruise in modern times. As with "The Source" there are tons of characters and settings, but Michener ties them in and makes you care about them. Truly fun and engrossing literature.