This is the longest audiobook I have ever listened to - 65 hours!!!

It is truly an amazing and captivating book. The story is so engaging that I found myself completely immersed in it for those long hours.

The narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters and the plot to life. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire listening experience.

Despite its length, I never got bored or felt that it was dragging. Each chapter was filled with new surprises and developments.

Maybe this summer I will tackle another long audiobook. I'm looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to explore another wonderful story.

I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves a good adventure and doesn't mind spending some quality time with a great book.

Texas was an interesting and highly informative read.

I had a very distinct feeling that Michener truly knew the subject matter inside out.

I found that I preferred the earlier sections of the book over the conclusion.

The book was structured in an unusual format, featuring a present-day (1980s) 'task force' consisting of 'important people', all of whom had ancestors who played significant roles in Texas history.

It started, as his books typically do, way back in the distant past and gradually made its way up to the present.

I thoroughly enjoyed the individual stories (each of which could potentially have been a standalone book considering the book was a hefty 1300 pages long!), but I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the task force, which seemed to randomly appear at the end of each chapter.

However, reading it now was, I believe, quite informative as it provided me with some valuable insights (or served as a reminder) of the values that are characteristic of that region of the country.

My father was from Oklahoma, which shares similar values (albeit perhaps not on such a 'grandiose scale').

And reflecting on those values offers some small clues into the phenomenon of the love for Trump.

The idea of the strong, independent (often violent) man out there bravely fighting against various adversaries (Indians, nature, political parties, and so on).

Very good. It is great for getting an in-depth understanding of Texas politics and culture. The stories are so engaging that they kept me coming back for more. Michener uses a fictional committee composed of various Texas citizens to connect the chapters. In this way, he covers Texas history from the first Spanish explorers all the way through 1984. I really enjoyed the accounts of how settlers from different backgrounds came to Texas and contributed their unique cultures to the rich tapestry. What I truly appreciated was the list at the beginning of the book. I could refer to it while reading each chapter. That list clearly tells the reader which characters and events are fictional and which ones are historical. He also follows each major fictional family throughout the entire book. However, be prepared to set aside some time for this one. With over 1,000 pages, it will definitely take a while to finish. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.

Out of the past 3 months, I have spent 9 weeks in Texas in varying multi-week time spans. I decided to read this while there so that I could learn about the state I was living in for that period. It was a truly wonderful experience to be so immersed in both the past and the present simultaneously. This not only added a great deal to my broader appreciation of the state but also gave me a new perspective. Since I have always lived in the northern part of the US, I had both established and sometimes misconceived ideas about the state of Texas and the persona of its population. Additionally, I had never experienced up close the Spanish cultural history of the southwest, and through this book, I learned a lot.

Considering the arguments and issues related to immigration and border crossings that are going on in this year of 2018, Michener's sensibilities and comments on these subjects from 1985 seem remarkably spot on. After reading the first two-thirds of the book, I curiously checked some GR reviews of the book to figure out if I really wanted to finish it. Several people said they did not enjoy the last third very much. I almost did not finish the book based on that, but again, I am extremely glad I did. Yes, some of the characters are stock characters and there were not as many female characters as I might have hoped for. However, the breadth of the pool of cultural backgrounds that Michener wove into the story was, in my opinion, highly representative of the history of the settling of Texas. The armadillo information was interesting, as was the development of the oil boom and the issues related to water shortages of the past. It is a long read, but it is most definitely worth it.

Do not read this book.

This simple statement holds a certain mystery and allure. It makes one wonder why such a directive is given. Is the content within the book so controversial or disturbing that it is best avoided? Or perhaps there is a hidden message or purpose behind this prohibition.

Could it be that the author is challenging the reader's curiosity, hoping that by forbidding them to read, they will be even more compelled to do so? Maybe this book contains secrets that are better left undiscovered, or ideas that could potentially change one's perspective in an uncomfortable way.

Whatever the reason may be, the warning "Do not read this book" piques our interest and makes us question what lies beneath the surface. It forces us to consider whether we should abide by this directive or take the risk and explore the unknown.

I firmly believe that this is one of the very first colossal books that I have ever perused. It was, without a doubt, my initial encounter with a Michener work. I vividly recall the captivating anecdotes regarding the origins of Texas. The intense standoff at the Alamo, the arduous struggles for independence, and the capitulation with rather generous conditions to Washington all left a lasting imprint on my mind. I read this book prior to my move to Texas back in 1993. I resided in Austin from 1993 to 1995 and absolutely adored it. This book served as a sort of cultural guide for me. I am well aware that it might be hard to believe because Texas is often not associated with culture beyond the stereotypes of bigots and barbecue. However, there truly is a diverse and rich culture there if one knows precisely where to seek it. And as a professor at UT, Michener surely dedicated his time and conducted exhaustive research for this book, unearthing a veritable treasure trove of history and stories.

Let me share two anecdotes with you.

I remember reading about Texas' oldest church located in the small town of Nacodoches, which is on the route from Austin to Dallas. So, during a trip to watch a Rangers game (in that crappy Dubya-owned stadium with an obstructed view for the common folk due to the proliferation of luxury boxes for Bush family cronies), I stopped in the town of Nacodoches and inquired about the directions to the church. "What church are ya talkin' about?" "You know, the old church, like the oldest one in Texas?" "Umm, church you say?" "Yes, an old wooden church built around the time when Texas joined the Union." "Oh, yeah, well hell, that church burned down last June if I reckon right. The one that the Michener book talks about you say? Yeah, I read somethin' in the paper about that last year. Shame. Well, you have a great day now y'hear."

Back in the halcyon days when I had some money and no kids, I embarked on a month-long trip to Hawai'i and had an absolute blast. I didn't particularly like Honolulu much (there were simply too many luxury hotels and hordes of Japanese tourists armed with cameras. Selfie sticks had not been invented yet, but had they been, I probably would have had my eye put out). I spent the majority of my time on the Big Island where it turned out I had distant relatives. Anyhoo, upon my return, I delved deep into reading about Japanese Ukiyo-e painting as I am a huge fan of Hiroshige and Hokusai. And I read in one of the books that one of the largest and most diverse collections of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints is in... the collection that Michener donated to Hawai'i and is housed in a dedicated building in Honolulu. Argh, I missed it :(

Anyway, this book was truly great and left an indelible impression on me. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an interest in history and culture.

Whoo boy.

The good parts of this book are truly good, and the bad parts are really bad. I have a deep love for history and great people's stories, especially Texas history. However, by the end of the book, it was far too filled with elitism. I was extremely over the whole task force conceit about 150 pages before Michener was. I really didn't care about Rusk and his stupid museum and 'dillos.

Seeing that the Michigan immigrant family converted to a particular kind of Texanism, complete with UT twirlers and Cowboys players, was quite enough and definitely symbolizes the too-subtle Texan-trolling of the novel. Seeing the least interesting Macnab rewarded for nothing at the end was, for lack of a better word, gross.

The book is filled with recognizable characters for those who grew up in TX, and there are certainly plenty of interesting yarns. But it is also fairly restrictive in its obsession with a peculiar set of Texas stereotypes. There's the oil giant, the ranch giant, the bullshitter, the ranger, the ascetic preacher, and of course, plenty of Independence junkies. However, the book has too much love for its types, not enough revulsion for the things it says are revolting, and gives Black and Hispanic characters offensively short shrift. Well, yeah, it's Texas.

Hmm. This book is more Texan than Michener probably ever intended.

This is my second Michener read, with the first being Centennial.

Centennial was penned in 1974, while Texas was written in 1985. Interestingly, I could still observe numerous similarities in the characters and their circumstances.

It's truly challenging to state which book I relished more. Since I was acquainted with Centennial from the mini-series, which I watched three times prior to reading the book, I sort of had an advantage.

In Centennial, Michener incorporated animal characters, which was a novelty for me in this genre of family chronicles. Texas also had animals, but in this book, he didn't endow them with a distinct character, which I regretted.

I also felt that things were more neatly tied together in Centennial. The dinosaur character from an early chapter reemerged near the end as a fossil discovery. Texas didn't do that to the same extent, but I found the characters more prominent and engaging in unexpected ways.

One really exciting moment occurred on page 751 of my hardcover copy of Texas, when a character from Centennial made an appearance in the book for a chapter and was referred to several times afterwards. That was a pleasant surprise, and I'm hoping for more such occurrences!

I spent several days in San Antonio, TX, back in 2011, and I believe that gave me a better understanding of the book, as San Antonio is a significant plot element early on.

I adore the level of detail that Michener employs, and I anticipated it in Texas. I would have to say that Centennial and Texas are on par in my mind, albeit for different reasons.

I'm now returning to his first epic, Hawaii, from 1959 for my next reading. Stay tuned for a review in 2 1/2 months!

I have perused a significant portion of Michener's oeuvre, and I rank Texas among the top three, not merely in terms of its physical expanse but also in terms of its literary quality. (The other two being Centennial and Chesapeake.)

What I particularly admire about Michener's treatment of Texas is his ability to present the entire tapestry of the state's history while zeroing in on the crucial aspects of change that render this region so captivating. We witness how elements such as cotton, cattle, oil, barbed wire, and football have transformed the very fabric of the people's culture in Texas. Each lengthy chapter serves as another window through which we can observe the evolution of both the landscape and the inhabitants. We encounter the robust characters who have shaped Texas into what it is today and delve deep into the core of the issues that define the modern Texan.

For all these reasons, it is a novel that possesses the sweeping epic qualities reminiscent of Gone With the Wind or Michener's other remarkable works. Do not be deterred by its size. The novel is as vast as the state itself, and every moment spent reading it is well worth it.

Michener is renowned for his captivating epics that delve deep into the heart of different regions of the U.S. Another one of his remarkable works focuses on a particular area. In this epic, while some of the county and city names have been fictionalized, perhaps as a precautionary measure to avoid potential lawsuits, the essence of the prime regional history is vividly brought to life. The story weaves together the tapestry of the region's past, encompassing its people, their struggles, triumphs, and the unique characteristics that define it. It is a narrative that not only educates but also entertains, transporting the reader to a bygone era and allowing them to experience the rich history and culture of the area. A most entertaining read indeed, it leaves a lasting impression and invites further exploration of the region's fascinating past.

I have read other Michener works before this one: Chesapeake, Hawaii, Centennial, The Source, Poland, Caravans. These are all monumental works that offer real insights into not only what occurs in an area but also why. They delve into the choices people make, both good and bad, and describe how these choices impact families, communities, and even countries.

Michener does not sugarcoat history. Early on, you learn that leaders, developers, and explorers are real people, living in their respective centuries, with their cultural influences fully at play. They are often not what we would consider "nice people" in today's world. What his books, including Texas, illustrate is that history is very often a messy combination of good, bad, and outright terrible decisions, often made by well-intentioned people acting on the best information they had at the time. In 2021, with hindsight, we can only wonder why they chose as they did. However, if we are wise, we can look at their mistakes and resolve not to repeat them in our own lives. There's a novel idea: learn from the mistakes of history and don't repeat them.

Michener's works are not just about the past; they are also about the present and the future. By understanding the choices that were made in the past, we can make better choices in the present and shape a better future for ourselves and for those who come after us. His books are a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the complex tapestry of human history and the forces that have shaped our world.

I knew, going in, that I didn't have the slightest clue about Texas. Michener detailed a great deal of what I still remain ignorant of. I've been there on occasion and for a considerable amount of time, always as an outsider. I've also worked with and known Texans, both those born in Texas and immigrants. This book has the potential to teach you a wealth of information about the state.

If you're one of those individuals who are easily affronted by language such as "nigger," "Papist," "Meskin," "wetback," and so on, or by situations like killing out of convenience, torture, the portrayal of ethnic, religious, and cultural condescension, and the like, you'll discover an abundant supply of these elements within its pages to irritate you. It's no sugarcoating! Michener provides excellent value to those who are seeking some comprehension of the history and, in particular, the culture of Texans over the course of four-plus centuries.

It's not a book that will leave you with a cozy feeling, unless being enraged counts. I'm saddened that some reviewers here attribute the attitudes Michener depicts to the author himself. They're shooting the messenger. I'm glad I read it, but I would struggle to recommend it to many people.