Well, I don't think you can ever enter into reading a James A. Michener book lightly.

I had this book on the to-be-read shelf for the last 10 years. Last week, when I saw there were elections in South Africa, I decided to give the book a try.

I clearly knew nothing of the founding of South Africa, the Dutch and British influence, Calvinism, the Old Testament, the different tribes that were already in the area, who the Boers were, or how a people became Afrikaner. This book is wildly in depth and extremely fascinating.

In some ways, it's good that it came out in 1979. While it doesn't cover the last 40 years, which have been significant in South Africa's history, it does do some detailed and accurate predicting.

Just like many of his other books, prepare to learn so much along the way. And plan to have some late nights since the paperback edition has small print and is 1200+ pages.

This is an excellent book. It is too bad he doesn't write this type of book anymore. It offers a comprehensive and engaging look into the complex history and culture of South Africa, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the subject.

I still get goosebumps thinking about it, even though I read it 40 years ago.

This truly showcases the evil that lurks within the human psyche, which forces one to believe that blacks are inferior to whites simply because of their skin color.

I simply cannot fathom living under the atrocious, miserable, demeaning, and humiliating conditions that blacks endured in South Africa centuries ago.

Although I am not black, I can identify with my countryman, Mahatma Gandhi, during the late 19th century in South Africa, getting a small taste of the unjust tyranny that the black man had been subjected to for thousands of years.

Mitchener, always the master storyteller, weaves a captivating account that begins with the origins of South Africa and extends until the recent past.

I cannot go into details without revealing some of the underpinnings of this non-fiction work. Therefore, I will leave further exploration to the reader.

All I can tell you is that as you read, you will experience it as if it were happening in real time, conjuring up dreadful images of how humans should never treat their fellow beings, neither then, nor now, nor ever.

I purchased this book for just 50 cents in one of the most wonderful bookstores I have ever come across.

It's truly a pity that this bookstore is located in Gold Beach, Oregon.

The store had an amazing collection of books, and I was lucky to find this gem for such a low price.

However, the fact that it's so far away makes it a bit difficult to visit frequently.

Nonetheless, I will always cherish this purchase and the memories of that lovely bookstore in Gold Beach.

An epic historical fiction novel that spans from the 1300s to the 1970s in South Africa.

The entire story centers around three families, each representing one of the three significant races in the country: Black South Africans, the Dutch, and the English.

It is truly fascinating to witness their clashes over the centuries for the ownership of South Africa.

Some of the characters in the book are fictional, while others are real historical figures, such as King Shaka of the Zulu tribe.

Reading about this half-mad, warmongering king was extremely interesting.

However, I missed a few things that I used to experience in a Michener book, like a sudden introduction to an animal of the region and following the story from its perspective for a chapter or two.

I love that kind of stuff! Michener does it in a very seamless way without disrupting the flow of the story until a human character takes over.

The book doesn't delve deeply into the wildlife of South Africa, which surprised me a little.

Nevertheless, it is another highly entertaining and educational novel by James Michener.

For an incredible series! Michener's book was published in the 1980s, while apartheid still existed in South Africa, which is useful to keep in mind when reading this novel.

This book is so tightly packed with historical facts and a realistic portrayal of people with incredibly diverse histories and backgrounds. The complex presentation of farmers, Xhosas, Hottentots, Dutch from both the Cape, the Netherlands, and Java, French Huguenots, and bushmen creates an understanding of South African history in a way I never thought possible.

Michener's political analyses and historical interests make all the people seem like believable individuals with a background that makes their actions both believable and complex individuals that form the basis for explaining how the nation had come to have the form of political rule and racist attitudes that characterized the book's time.

Absolutely worth reading even today.

BORING!

My dad gave me this book before I left the U.S. to study in South Africa. I was really excited at first as I love to read and rarely stop in the middle. However, I got a third of the way through The Covenant before finally giving up.

The history presented in the book is interesting and useful. It has indeed been a good companion to my travels in this country. But unfortunately, the characters are one-dimensional. They lack depth and complexity, making it hard to really engage with them.

The stories also seem forced. They don't develop in a natural or organic way. It feels like the author was more interested in writing a history textbook than a novel. The descriptions of the characters making their ways through their social spheres are cursory at best.

At no point did I feel any connection or empathy with any of the characters. Instead, Michener forces the reader to view them from a distance. This, I think, defeats his whole purpose of making history accessible and immediate to a large audience.

Overall, I would have rather read a proper history textbook. Then I would at least know what to expect and not be disappointed by a book that fails to deliver on both the historical and fictional fronts.

This is a truly challenging book to review. Just like all of Michener's books, it is meticulously researched and beautifully written.

Whenever I recommend one of his works, I have to make sure that the intended reader has a passion for history, loves reading, and is prepared to settle in and work through the slower-paced stories in order to relish the amazing wealth of knowledge that can be gleaned from his narratives. "The Covenant" is no exception. Reading this story demands a certain level of patience and desire that most books, even most historical novels, do not necessitate.

Having said that, among all the Michener books I have read, I believe this might be his finest, particularly in terms of how he portrays the mindset and motivations of the various groups.

Many of the characters are so unlikable or belligerent that you feel like shaking some 21st-century sense into them, but that's easy to say from my comfortable couch in Miami.

This is definitely a study on how not to develop and operate a diverse, fair society, but that's sort of the whole point.

It's really a pity that we don't get to see this story through to the end of apartheid. However, if this had been written in 2014, there would undoubtedly be future history that readers a hundred years from now would regret not having included.

4.5/5. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know the history of SA. I knew very little about it before, and this book offers a perspective that is before the Mandela years and the success story that many people saw SA in the 1990s. The book was written in 1980.

I particularly found it fascinating the details of the Boers and just how unique they were as Afrikaners compared to their native Netherlands. Each chapter seemed to have its own momentum, starting from the first with the Bushmen through to the last with the diamond mining.

The intro spoke of the author’s ability to beautifully craft long sentences that don’t feel like a chore, and I would fully agree. The writing flowed so well.

However, my only criticism is the length. At 1240 pages, it’s longer than Lord of the Rings (all 3 books combined!), and at times the momentum is a touch lost. But overall, I would very much recommend this book.

Michener's take on South Africa

Michener's true epics are always worthy of the time spent reading them. \\n  The Covenant\\n is no different. Michener's exploration of South Africa and its history is an earnest effort to provide some perspective on one of the more intricate histories that this history teacher has come across.

The book commences strongly (my edition was the two-volume hardback). The first volume was classic Michener, but the second one lagged. Perhaps it was because the subject matter became increasingly disheartening. With the final 200 pages or so being about Apartheid, it's difficult to find something to celebrate.

In a sense, Michener's book appears incomplete - he implies that Apartheid could no longer endure - he makes a prediction that it would end around the year 2000. As it turns out, he was almost right, but the book feels as if it doesn't have a proper conclusion.

If you are considering a Michener book and haven't read them all (personally, I only have one more of his major books remaining), then I suggest skipping this one and returning to it later.

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James A. Michener's masterly chronicle of South Africa is truly an epic tale.

It weaves together the stories of adventurers, scoundrels, and ministers, representing the best and worst of two continents. They embark on a journey to carve an empire out of a vast wilderness.

From the Java-born Van Doorn family tree, two great branches spring forth. One branch nurtures lush vineyards, while the other settles in the interior and becomes the first Trekboers and Afrikaners.

The Nxumalos, the inhabitants of a peaceful village that has remained unchanged for centuries, manage to unite warrior tribes and form the powerful Zulu nation.

Meanwhile, the wealthy Saltwoods, who are missionaries and settlers, join the masses and have a significant influence on the wars and politics that ravage the nation.

Rivalries and passions spill across the land of The Covenant. It is a story filled with courage and heroism, love and loyalty, as well as cruelty and betrayal. Generations after generations fight to forge a new world in this tumultuous land.

Ugh. I have such mixed feelings.

I absolutely loved Alaska. The vast and breathtaking landscapes, the untouched wilderness, it was truly a wonder to behold. The snow-capped mountains, the frozen lakes, and the unique wildlife made it an unforgettable experience.

However, when it comes to South Africa, I would have to pass. Maybe it's because I haven't had the opportunity to explore it fully, but something about it just doesn't appeal to me as much as Alaska.

Perhaps it's the different culture, the climate, or the political situation. I'm not sure. But for now, my heart belongs to the beauty and serenity of Alaska, and I'll leave South Africa for another time.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll have a change of heart and discover the hidden gems of South Africa. But until then, I'll continue to cherish my memories of Alaska and look forward to my next adventure in the great outdoors.

Maybe not the best if you want accurate balanced historical accounts of things but it does bring the history to life.

It may not provide the most precise and impartial depictions of historical events, yet it has the remarkable ability to make history vivid and palpable.

This particular medium or approach might not satisfy those who seek a comprehensive and objective understanding of the past. However, it compensates by breathing life into the historical narrative.

It allows us to envision the people, places, and circumstances of bygone eras in a more engaging and immersive way.

While it may not be the ultimate source for in-depth historical research, it serves as a valuable tool for sparking interest and curiosity about history.

It has the power to transport us back in time and make us feel as if we are witnesses to the events that shaped our world.

In conclusion, although it may have its limitations, it undeniably has the potential to make history come alive in a unique and captivating manner.