I've never regarded Michener as an individual with an outstanding command of prose.

Certainly, there are no memorable lines, passages, or even a few pages that stand out.

And, apart from his initial work, Tales of the South Pacific, he has never managed to create any truly remarkable characterizations, let alone atmosphere or vivid imagery.

The one thing he can handle well is telling a story.

In Caribbean, he doesn't disappoint the reader in this aspect, at least not for the first three-fifths of the book.

However, alas, the novel veers away from strictly historical fiction to a contemporary setting, and the outcome is rather dull.

The fictional island of All Saints has absolutely no charm.

And why would Michener assume that pages and chapters dedicated to cricket would ever capture people's interest?

Even worse, the attempt to incorporate a spy thriller twist on All Saints seems absurd.

Finally, there are the last couple of chapters about the Hindu and Haitian scholars and their encounter with destiny.

Frankly, all the pomposity Michener injects into the academic world is almost nauseating.

Overwhelmingly trite, this book seems to be ticking off a checklist of all the races and nationalities in the region.

It gives the impression that it was written by some condescending orthodox establishment limousine liberal from the 1970s, who has an office in the census bureau.

Dedicated to a friend who once asked him to write about the region, James Michener embarks on a captivating journey. He turns his meticulously researched storytelling not to one particular country, but rather to several of the enchanting islands in the Caribbean region.

From the proud indigenous peoples who first inhabited these lands to the arrival of the European colonizers, the narrative weaves a rich tapestry. Historical personages like the renowned Sir Francis Drake and the heroic Admiral Horatio Nelson make their memorable appearances. Tales of rebellion, the dark specter of racism, and the seedy underbelly of corruption intricately lace into the historical timeline, adding depth and drama.

However, due to the fact that each chapter has a tendency to jump rather abruptly from one island to another, I found myself feeling less fully invested in some parts of the story. I must admit that I think I have a personal preference for Michener's tales that center on a specific state or country and follow its evolution over many centuries. This more focused approach allows for a deeper exploration and a more profound connection with the subject matter.

Fantastic book!

I truly relished this series of short stories that embarks the reader on an exciting journey through the fading glory of the Mayans, the Spanish treasure fleet, the genesis of sugar, rum, and Caribbean slavery which then expanded to North America, cricket, Rastafarians, a visit from the German battleship Graf Spee, and a brief appearance by Fidel Castro.

It is a rather lengthy book, consisting of 865 pages. I initiated reading it during a flight from Miami to Saint Lucia and continued while unwinding by the pool and on the beach. I sincerely wish I had perused this prior to my trip as the book elucidates historical and cultural events among the numerous diverse islands of the Caribbean. For instance, it explains why Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, wields such an influence throughout the Caribbean islands and how England perpetuated a caste system on some of the islands.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

If you have a penchant for historical novels, then James Michener is the author who might just capture your heart. I, for one, am utterly fascinated and deeply in love with the Caribbean islands. This passion led me to be extremely interested in all the rich history and meticulous research that Michener incorporated into his writing.

However, one of the most challenging aspects of reading his works is discerning what is real and what is fictional. His books are often quite long, and this particular one was no exception. I had the pleasure of reading it on the beautiful beach of Nevis, sipping on a delicious rum punch and relishing the breathtaking beauty of the Caribbean.

Nevertheless, there are some downsides to this book. Michener writes about the history of the slave trade in the Caribbean islands, and the gruesome details of how slaves were treated make for extremely tough reading. So, if you are seeking "light" reading, this might not be the book for you.

Despite this, I found Michener's writing to sometimes be pithy and thought-provoking. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and would recommend it to those who have a genuine interest in Caribbean history and are willing to face the harsh realities that it entails.

If one were a scholar of Caribbean history, one might finish this 700-page historical novel in a reasonable length of time.

I, however, am not such a scholar. My experience with this book was more like completing multiple semesters of college coursework in history.

I found it necessary to take breaks, much like semester breaks, to engage in some recreational reading.

I could have simply read the book for the various stories, each chapter presenting a different one. But I felt compelled to distinguish historical figures from fictional characters.

Of course, I was familiar with well-known names like Columbus and Francis Drake, but there are numerous obscure names in this book!

The book covers an impressive time span, starting in 1310 and ending in 1989.

For each of the 16 chapters, I did a significant amount of research and compiled my notes into a reading diary.

As I progressed through the later chapters, it became less intimidating since I had witnessed some of the events in my lifetime.

Although it was a lot of effort, it was worth it. And I'm truly happy that I have "graduated" from this reading experience!

Bought in one of the fabulous op-shops in Kandos, Central West, NSW during a lovely weekend away with my dad for his birthday, I was excited [as ever] to find a Michener I had not read. I really love his historical fiction.

The quality of his research combined with his capacity to imagine characters living within these periods bring human history to life. It's like opening a door to the past and experiencing it through the eyes of those who lived then.

This one, though, I did not finish.

Unfortunately, this area appears to have been dominated by a level of violence and inhumanity that has, for me, overshadowed my fascination with such a beautiful and fascinating part of the world.

Starting in the C15th with the horrors of the Carib's destroying more peaceful communities, through the Spanish invasions and stealing of vast wealth, to the awful behaviour of other European nations: slavery, murder and more theft, it became such a horror that I gave up by half way through.

The descriptions were so vivid that it was hard to stomach. I found myself constantly cringing and feeling sick at the thought of what had happened.

Still love Michener though.

His other works have been so engaging and enlightening that I'm willing to overlook this one that didn't quite work for me.

Michener accomplishes an impressive feat in his exploration of the history of the Caribbean countries and islands. Starting from pre-Columbian times and reaching up to Nelson (as in book 1 of my edition), he skillfully combines in-depth research with historical fiction.

Each chapter is a distinct exploration, focusing on a different time period and, in most cases, a different key character. This approach makes the reading experience diverse and engaging. While some chapters were more captivating than others for me, overall, it was a fascinating journey through history.

The book serves as an excellent means to address a significant gap in my historical knowledge. Clearly, Michener doesn't cover every single aspect, but his examination of Spanish and then British colonialism fills in a substantial number of blanks. His chapters on pirates are especially notable for their insightful look into life on a ship and the British government's strategies regarding commerce and relationships with France and Spain. The sections on the origin and conditions of the slave trade were difficult to read but essential for understanding the history of this region. I am eagerly anticipating the second book, which will focus on modern history.

I believe this book is a valuable addition to anyone's library who has an interest in the history of the Caribbean. It offers a comprehensive and engaging perspective that helps to bring this complex and often overlooked history to life.

I quite enjoyed Michener's Caribbean.

Michener truly invests an astonishing amount of research into his writing. The book consists of 14 chapters, which span approximately 700 years of Caribbean history.

Some of the chapters are interconnected, as the narrative might follow the descendant of a particular character introduced earlier in the story. Naturally, I found certain chapters more interesting than others. However, overall, it is a well-told history.

I deducted one star because one of the islands where one or more chapters are set is fictional. For some reason, that just seemed like cheating to me. There are so many real islands in the Caribbean that I would have preferred to learn about rather than a fictional one.

That being said, the fictional island is a compilation of others, which perhaps adds a unique perspective to the story. Nevertheless, I still would have liked to have more information about the actual islands and their histories.

Surprisingly, there is a pleasant summary of the main events in the Caribbean over the last 500 years. It is a novel that is spiced up with numerous true events skillfully woven into the plot. After reading "The Drifters", this particular book has become my favorite.

As I delve deeper into the story, my curiosity about the Islands of the Caribbean continues to grow. The vivid descriptions and the way the historical events are presented make me eager to learn more about this fascinating region.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a captivating narrative that not only entertains but also educates. It makes me realize how rich and diverse the history of the Caribbean is, and how many interesting stories are waiting to be discovered.

Overall, this book has been a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in history, adventure, or the Caribbean. It has truly opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Another Michener epic masterpiece of a book, which is really a collection of connected books, begins with a truly horrifying event. The Caribs invaded the islands of the Arawaks and brutally murdered them. Why did they do such a heinous act? Shockingly, they wanted to cook and eat them! How could this be possible? The Arawaks, who lived in peace and didn't even have a word for 'war', were completely unprepared for such savagery.

In 1492, Columbus came to the Caribbean for the first of his four voyages, and world history changed forever. After that, the English also set their eyes on the riches of the region. Drake and Hawkins, armed with letters of entitlement from Queen Elizabeth I, constantly attacked the Spanish fleet and raided various ports like Cartagena, Porto Bello, and Panama City.

Later, Barbados witnessed a reenactment of the English Civil war, with those loyal to the King and those who supported Cromwell clashing. In Guadeloupe, Victor Hughes brought a bloodbath of tyranny, using imported guillotines to enforce the Revolution from France. Horatio Nelson searched for a wealthy wife, while Haiti had a slave revolt that even Napoleon couldn't quell. When similar uprisings occurred in Jamaica, martial law was established, and thousands of innocents were tortured and died.
As the book approaches the modern day, we learn about the Indian Hindu immigration to Trinidad, Rastafarianism, Haiti Voodoo and Zombies, and the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. Michener even takes the time to discuss the detailed history of West Indian cricket!
This book is mainly about the terrible human suffering that took place in a paradise that deserved so much better. The Caribbean became a battleground for the Spanish, the British, the French, the Dutch, and even the Poles and Swedes. In the middle of the battle for gold, silver, and the right to produce sugar were millions of African slaves, local indigenous Indians, and a large number of other immigrants who were slaughtered in their thousands and worked to their deaths under the hot sun.
Ingrained in all these stories are human greed, cruelty, prejudice, and hatred. But somehow, the light of human hope and perseverance is never completely extinguished. It is very important for us to learn and remember this history, which is just as important as anything that happened in Europe.

This is a truly extensive compilation of historical novels.

It is highly improbable that one would read it sequentially from the very first page to the last.

Nevertheless, it offers a plethora of captivating elements. It is interesting, with its engaging storylines that draw the reader in. It is intriguing, presenting mysteries and unknowns that pique one's curiosity. It is amusing, bringing smiles and laughter with its light-hearted moments. It is also enlightening, providing valuable insights into the diverse and evolving cultures of the islands.

Despite not reading it in a linear fashion, by leap-frogging from one chapter to another, I was still able to complete the book and gain a great deal from the experience.

It is a remarkable work that offers something for everyone interested in history, culture, and good storytelling.

The Caribbean is approximately the 8th epic novel that Michener has penned out of a total of 10, and overall, it is the 6th one that I have read. It was published in September 1990 and bears a striking resemblance in style to his 1965 epic, 'The Source.'

Each chapter in this book focuses on an island in the Caribbean and the story of its people, yet they have the feel of a short story. The characters do carry over from one chapter to the next, but the transition is not as seamless as in 'Centennial,' 'Hawaii,' or 'Chesapeake.' (Once again, similar to 'The Source,' which is my least favorite novel of his.) I managed to guess the final ending, but it was still a classic read.

I am very curious as to why he changed the name of St. Lucia to 'All Saints.' (It happens to be my favorite Caribbean island.) Interestingly, on page 770, he actually uses 'St. Lucia' once, which must have been a typing error. I think I will read 'The Novel' next, as soon as it arrives. Thanks to Abe Books!