History has never been so interesting, nor more alive before my eyes. It is like a vivid画卷unfolding before me, filled with countless fascinating stories and characters. Through the study of history, I have been able to travel back in time and witness the events that have shaped our world. I have learned about the great civilizations of the past, their achievements, and their downfalls. I have also discovered the courage and determination of the people who lived through difficult times and made a difference. History has taught me valuable lessons about human nature, society, and the importance of learning from the past. It has made me more aware of the world around me and has given me a greater appreciation for the present. I am truly amazed by the power of history to bring the past to life and make it relevant to our modern world.

Like every Michener book I’ve read, Caribbean was both engaging and educational in its remarkable breadth and depth. The book truly opened my eyes to a plethora of historical facts. It made me acutely aware that numerous countries were indeed guilty of the heinous act of wrongfully enslaving Africans and discriminating against non-whites. I discovered that a select few British sugar barons held significant sway over Great Britain’s parliament for a considerable number of years. Additionally, I learned that the renowned author Charles Dickens was, unfortunately, an abhorrent racist. If Tiny Tim hadn’t been white, Dickens wouldn’t have given a damn, it seems. Many white countries have exerted a profound influence on the Caribbean, leading to the destruction of many of the indigenous people and their replacement with slaves from Africa. Thousands of lives were tragically lost in the battles for control of the islands. And today, most of the islands are facing great difficulties in surviving and are almost entirely dependent on tourism. It is truly a great shame that more has not been done to assist the vibrant cultures in the Caribbean to thrive and reach their full potential.

This was not the best Michener book I have ever read. However, as is characteristic of him, it was indeed a highly entertaining and informative journey through Caribbean history.

Here is a warning for you: if you are reading this book in relation to a Caribbean vacation, I strongly suggest that you manage to get at least halfway through this book before boarding the plane.

The reason is that it turns out that the history of the Caribbean is extremely disturbing and can make for an uncomfortable beach read.

Despite this, the book still offers valuable insights into the region's past, which can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Caribbean during your vacation.

So, while it may not be the most pleasant read at times, it is definitely worth persevering with if you want to gain a deeper knowledge of the Caribbean's history.

Overall, although it may not be Michener's finest work, it still has its merits and can provide an interesting and educational experience for readers.

Author James Michener had an interesting path before achieving literary fame.

He started as an educator for a few years and then enlisted in WWII. During his service in the navy, he was inspired to write his first novel, “Tales of the South Pacific.” This novel was not only a hit in the literary world but also became a successful musical, adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein as “South Pacific” in 1949.

By 1959, Michener produced another significant work, “Hawaii.” This novel perhaps best exemplified his unique writing format of fictionalizing real people, real places, and actual events over long periods of time to chronicle an epic story.

In 1989, “Caribbean” was published. It was my introduction to this author, as I had never read any of his other numerous works. There is plenty to enjoy in this novel, but I also have several criticisms.

The novel consists of 16 chapters, each telling a different story. While each chapter could be read independently, it makes more sense to read it as a whole novel because there are many common themes, callbacks, and ancestors referenced. I learned a great deal about the geography, history, and culture of the Caribbean islands. However, the novel also includes a fictional island. It brings to life real historical figures such as conquistadores, admirals, pirates, privateers, governors, dictators, and more. Additionally, you get to know some fictional characters as well.

But I found the work to be rather overwhelming. It was like trying to drink from a firehose. Despite the abundance of details, due to the vast geography and long time span covered, the novel feels somewhat shallow. At times, there is so much action unfolding that you don't have time to catch your breath. There is never a dull moment, but also no time to stop and appreciate the characters or ponder their fate because the narrative moves so quickly.

When it comes to drama and sex, the novel reads like a Disney movie. However, when it comes to race and race relations, it is more like “Django Unchained.” The history of slavery and mistreatment of humans in the Caribbean is indeed a significant and often painful topic. But Michener seems to overemphasize this theme, and it becomes tiresome after a while. How many slave rebellions and interracial relationships do we need to read about? How many times must the conflict be between different racial classes? Some parts of the novel are brutally difficult to read.

In conclusion, “Caribbean” offers a lot of content for the reader, but it also comes with a painful kickback. It is a challenging and at times overwhelming read, but it does provide valuable insights into the history and culture of the Caribbean.

On average, I read a book in one week. However, this particular one took me three and a half years. In the homestretch, I even took a day off work just to finish it. At the end, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. We literally went out to dinner to celebrate my completion of it.

The cover proclaims "Caribbean - A Novel." But in reality, it's not truly a novel. It's more like an anthology of historical fiction short stories set in the Caribbean, mostly in chronological order.

Some of the "chapters" (which are actually short stories) are excellent. Chapter IV, about "The Spanish Lake," was extremely informative regarding the global commercial significance of the region and Spanish hegemony over it in the 1500s. Chapter V, about Barbados, was equally instructive about the English involvement in the islands. Chapter X, about the racial caste system in Haiti, the fight against slavery and for independence from France, and General L'Ouverture's story, were superb.

Why isn't this stuff taught in school? When I was growing up, the Caribbean was treated as an afterthought. "See children," a teacher would say, "there's North America which means the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; Central America which is these skinny countries over here; and South America down there." Then some student would ask about the Caribbean and the teacher would shrug. Then there would be radio silence about the region again until our American history teacher in high school mentioned the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War.

So, this was educational for me.

But there were also a lot of crummy chapters. The book was very long, tedious, and filled with fictional characters, several of whom bored me. Some of the characters were the great great-grandsons of some dude from an earlier chapter, but that was impossible to keep track of and mostly pointless.

The last several chapters featured a "Rasta Man" from Jamaica and a professor from Trinidad who came across as sillier and less likable than I think the author intended.

If you read this book, you will get something out of it. But treat it like you would an anthology - as soon as you start to dislike a particular chapter, skip it and move on to the next.

This Michener book followed the typical formula in his novels, which was to focus on a specific geographic area over an extended period of time, in this case, from Pre-Columbian times to the 1980s. The geography of the Caribbean, however, presented a significant challenge when it came to tying the generations of characters together. With so many islands and coastal cities, each having its own unique history, it was difficult to create a cohesive narrative.

I didn't particularly care for the lack of unity in the storylines. Nevertheless, there were several storylines that managed to draw me in. For example, "The Spanish Lake - Adventures of Sir Francis Drake" offered an exciting look at the exploits of this famous explorer. "Big Storms in Little England - History of Barbados" provided a fascinating account of the history of that island. "The Buccaneer - Stories of Henry Morgan" told the tales of this notorious pirate. "The Scholar - Trinidadian student fiction" and "Twins - Cuban family fiction" added depth and diversity to the overall narrative.

The stories were at their best when they shone a light on the classism, racism, and cultural diversity that existed within these communities. Michener did an excellent job of providing a primer on how so many European and Asian peoples came to inhabit this far-flung sea. I especially enjoyed the descriptions and history of Cartagena, which has now definitely made it onto my travel wish list.

It has been asserted that James Michener "treats his chosen region with immense respect," and I wholeheartedly believe this after delving into the powerful and panoramic compendium of tales he has crafted regarding the islands of the Caribbean Sea. As we journey through reading it, we are introduced to various characters and events. There are the peaceful Arawaks, including a woman who struggles to raise croton, only to face subjugation and destruction by the Carib barbarian tribe. Then there is the prefect Don Ocampo interviewing Christopher Columbus' crew to sort out the aftermath of the European world's communion upon landing on Cuba. The bloody and destructive slave revolt on St.-Domingue, which led to the reduction of the island to barren and poverty-stricken Haiti, is also vividly described. And there are many others, all the way to (and perhaps beyond) an observation of the perhaps antiheroic "Rasta man" Ras-Negus Grimble.

It is indeed true that since its "discovery" (using an archaic term for the joining of the Old and New Worlds' cultures), the Caribbean has witnessed earth-shaking changes over the centuries. However, what Michener makes abundantly clear is that it has remained almost entirely a paradise. At times, it is an idyllic setting for more positive politics than the rest of the world. Although other places have had power-radiating phenomena in their history, perhaps nowhere else is James A. Michener's intense theme of factual detail more apparent than in that large group of islands between the two continents that make up the majority of the New World. He has become especially intimate with Rastafarian culture, amazingly outlining the Ras-Negus who breeds racial dissent (intentionally or not) on the fictional island of All Saints (which could very well have existed according to the historical culture of the Caribbean), right down to the controversially flaming shirt messages such as DEATH TO POPE and HELL DESTRUCTION AMERICA.

The real flavor of adventure is on full display in the "privateering" exploits of Captain Henry Morgan. We can easily assume that Michener absorbed a bit of Robert Louis Stevenson along with Morgan's real history, and we are in awe of the Captain's ingenious battle tactics to acquire gold and other goods to bring back to England in the name of His Majesty the King. (Just remember not to call them "pirates," as they truly despise that label.)

"Caribbean" is yet another coup of fact-and-fiction storytelling from Michener. I found it more flavorful than "Space" and a little easier to follow than "Centennial." It might even have inspired more people to visit the islands of that sea, just as some of Ian Fleming's escapades of James Bond did. For all its status as a paradise, there was always a great deal happening in that place.

To become No. 1 on the International Bestsellers list does not do justice to this book.

Throughout the years, I have read numerous books. Some of them were given away, perhaps because they didn't leave a lasting impression. Others were lost during moves or simply thrown out. There were also those that I traded in at book stores.

However, this particular book is a gem that stands out from the rest. It is a life long keeper, one that I cherish and want to safeguard in a private diary. I look forward to reading it again and again as the years pass by.

This book has a special charm and depth that goes beyond its popularity on the bestsellers list. It has touched my heart and soul in a way that no other book has. I am truly grateful to have discovered it and I know that it will remain a precious part of my literary collection for a long time to come.

Michener once again showcases his prowess as a master in artfully blending meticulously researched historical details with a captivating fictional storyline. Each significant Caribbean location is explored in its own dedicated chapter, effortlessly interweaving historical facts, prominent personalities, and generations of fictional families.

Starting with an Arawak couple on Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic) in 1310, the narrative journeys through time, reaching Haiti just after the conclusion of Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier's dictatorship in 1986. Along the way, readers are enlightened about the Maya on Cozumel, the arrival of Europeans in the Caribbean by Christopher Columbus (including his ultimate downfall), and the continuous battles among the Spanish, English, French, and Dutch. Additionally, the establishment of sugar plantations and the consequences of importing African slave labor to the region are examined. Towards the end of the book, the Rastafarian movement and Fidel Castro's Cuba are also discussed.

This is an ideal book to enjoy while unwinding by a pool or lounging on a beach, especially if you have vacationed in the Caribbean. However, my only critique of the book is why Michener felt compelled to create the fictional island of "All Saints" when there was an abundance of real history that could have been incorporated into this 600+-page novel.

James Michener is my go-to author whenever I have a desire to delve deep into the history of a particular area.

The Caribbean held the top spot on my list due to my upcoming move to Panamá. This book is most definitely being included in my Panamá Book List!

James has a formula that truly works wonders for me. He commences as far back as possible. In this instance, he begins with the remarkable Arawak indigenous tribe and skillfully weaves together stories by combining non-fiction facts and fictional tales. Each (rather long) chapter is a vignette that covers a specific time frame. This is really nice because if one chapter happens to be a bit dull, it won't be long before you're engaged in reading something entirely different!

I am no longer as naïve as I once was regarding the history of the Caribbean. Wow, it is incredibly tumultuous and heartbreaking for a vast majority of the population. It will most definitely assist me in having a more profound understanding of the mindset and opinions of local Panamanians (and other Caribbean locals), and also a great deal more empathy.

Michener has once again presented us with an epic story. At times, it can be quite depressing, and the very end was disappointingly lame. However, contrary to many reviews here, I believe that the chapters on All Saints were among the best. They were engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot developments. On the other hand, the chapter on Nelson was simply idiotic and detracted from the overall quality of the book. It seemed out of place and added little to the story. For this reason, I have deducted a star from my rating. Despite this flaw, the book still has many redeeming qualities and is worth reading for those who enjoy epic historical fiction.

Less a novel and more a series of independent vignettes, this work presents a unique literary experience. Each chapter is only loosely tied to the rest through their common geographical setting and the common theme of worlds colliding, even more so than in a typical Michener.

The first half of the book delves into the conflicts among European actors in the Caribbean, with only a cursory glance at the fates of the native peoples. It paints a vivid picture of the power struggles and rivalries that shaped the region during that time.

The second half of the book then pivots to the evolving relationships between blacks, whites, and those of mixed background in the islands. It takes the reader on a journey from the days of sugar plantations, through various revolutions, and into "modern" times (i.e., 1989). The author explores the complex social and political dynamics that have influenced the Caribbean's history.

In his last couple of chapters, the author concludes with what are likely naive musings about the political and economic futures of the Caribbean, seen through the eyes of various hypothetical scholars, in typical Michener style.

Overall, this is an entertaining book that offers a wealth of interesting historical insights. While some aspects may be glossed over or approached naively, it still manages to engage the reader and provide a comprehensive overview of the Caribbean's past. The typical Michener prose, although a little dry and matter-of-fact, is eminently descriptive, allowing the reader to vividly imagine the events and characters. If only I could book a flight to the islands today!