Is it as good as Lonesome Dove?

Yes, in a different but similar way. It is just very good story telling. Reading such books has reignited my love of fiction. It reminds me of my teenage years when I was hooked on the novels of Leon Uris and A J Cronin.

Modern fiction is often too mannered. It tries too hard to be ‘literature’. As a result, most of it fails. It is too confined and often very boring. When you read novels like Centennial and the 4 Lonesome Dove novels, you begin to realise just how dull modern fiction is. Its only ambition seems to be for the novelist to show off how clever he/she is, without any regard for the reader or good story telling.

I was jaded for years because of so much pretentiousness. However, with all the idiocy and moronic behaviour during this catastrophic, immensely stupid and damaging lockdown, these old novels have saved my sanity. They have provided me with an escape from the chaos and a return to the simple pleasure of a good story.

I absolutely loved this book. It was an amazing read that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story was captivating, and the characters were well-developed and relatable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story. Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

For those who want to know more about my thoughts on the book, you can check out my video review here: https://youtu.be/-zORQIriONU. In the video, I go into more detail about what I loved about the book and why I think you should give it a try.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of this book today and start reading! You won't be disappointed.

A history of the American west, written in celebration of America’s bicentennial, Centennial is a captivating tale. It mainly focuses on the area that would become Colorado, with glimpses into Wyoming, St. Louis, and Pennsylvania. Michener delves deep into the past, starting from the formation of the land, the era of dinosaurs, and the animals that roamed before humans arrived. But this is just the beginning. The story truly takes off with the Arapahoe brave, Lame Beaver. Then we follow the trappers and mountain men like Alexander McKeag and Pasquinel. A Pennsylvanian Mennonite, Levi Zendt, and his young bride Elly face tragedy on the Oregon Trail. Pasquinel’s children, both in St. Louis and on the plains, have a profound impact on the history of Colorado and the US. We witness the Indian Wars and the despicable actions of Col. Skimmerhorn, but his son redeems the family name. Jim Lloyd, a 14-year-old cowboy, makes a name for himself in Colorado. The Russian, Hans Brumbaugh, brings irrigation to the farms along the South Platte river, and Tranquilino Marquez, fleeing the Mexican revolution, helps him. The Wendell family makes Centennial their home, and the Grebe family endures the harsh times of the 20th century American west.

I have a personal connection to this story. As a child, my Dad would watch the miniseries of Centennial. Years later, when I moved to Colorado, I rediscovered my love for it. After recovering from surgery with my parents, we watched the miniseries again. Living on the front range, I can see the mountain with “the little beaver climbing to the peak” from my deck. I plan to visit the site of the Sand Creek Massacre with my parents this summer. Michener’s book is not just a history lesson; it’s a personal journey. He shows us both the good and the bad in our history, and reminds us that we must learn from our mistakes. His research is impeccable, and his writing is beautiful. Centennial is an instant favorite, and I can’t wait to read more of his books.

A magnificent epic of a book is set in Colorado in the USA, spanning from prehistoric times to 1974. It takes us on a journey through the development of various types of prehistoric animal life, from dinosaurs to wolves and beavers, and then to the arrival of man. The biography of the Arapaho chieftain Lame Beaver and his rivalry with the neighboring Comanche and Cheyenne is explored, as well as the arrival of the first European settlers, such as the beaver trappers Pasquinel and Alexander Mc Keag. The story also follows Levi as he flees into the prairies with his child bride.

The chapter "The Massacre" deals with the horrific genocide committed by the American militia against the Native American "Indians." It spares no detail of the massacre of the Arapaho, with men, women, and children being murdered and mutilated. The war between cattlemen and sheepherders and the development of the town Centennial are also part of this story, featuring a magnificent cast of engaging characters.

The book ends with the preparations for the 1976 centennial of the town and the bicentennial of the USA, the battle for conservation against unscrupulous hunters, and a mention of the Watergate Scandal of 1974. It is both brutal and scintillating, gripping and unforgettable.

Woohoo! I DID it! The longest book I've read this year, even longer than Lonesome Dove! I finally finished it on Christmas Eve Day.

Why I chose to read this book:

1. My sister highly recommended it.

2. I reached my Reading Challenge goal already.

3. Since I read Lonesome Dove around this time last year, I wanted to see how the two compared.

4. Why not?

Stories that are set against historical backdrops or have historical threads in some way - well, I'm okay with those.

However, in general, the concept of historical fiction makes me feel uncomfortable. The idea of reading a speculative history like, for example, Lincoln by Gore Vidal compared to a factual documentary non-fiction account by, say, DK Goodwin - if I were to set aside time for such an endeavor, I would definitely favor the latter. When it comes to history, I prefer non-fiction.

That being said, I had a friend in college in the 1980s who recommended this Michener opus to me around the time we were spending our college spring breaks in the foothills of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado. I discovered that it gave me a greater appreciation for the place and is a very vivid and informative history of the US West, starting all the way back to prehistoric times before the settlement by the earliest Native Americans and progressing eventually to the late 1800s, of course, with a large cast of fictional characters.

After I read this, a new Michener book called Space was published, which I bought and read. And it was probably the first time I realized that a well-known author could be truly terrible. Space was a flimsy creation that felt like it was written by a committee, and it put me off from reading any more of Michener's works.

(kr@ky 2016)

This is a 4.5 star review that has been rounded up to 5!

Overall, this is a remarkably well-balanced historical fiction account of the settlement of the West, with a specific focus on Colorado. I'm not a historian, but from what I can gather from reading about the book, Michener is mostly very accurate throughout. He describes real events through fictional characters, which makes for an engaging read.

The book takes a very sympathetic view of Native Americans and Mexicans without being overly romantic. It depicts everything from the geological history of the area to the near-extinction of the buffalo as a deliberate genocidal ploy, as well as how the Dust Bowl was caused and 1970s environmentalism. All of these topics are presented in a very engaging way, at least to me.

However, there is one glaring deficiency. There is almost no discussion of the African American experience, except for one tertiary character. This is a strange omission in an otherwise comprehensive and open-minded book. Additionally, the book can be a bit "preachy" toward the end.

But overall, I found the book very enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or the settlement of the West.

Centennial was an outstanding book.

It was remarkable because of the intricate, detailed, and overlapping stories it encompassed. These stories spanned the entire gamut of the West's development.

The book centered around a particular town, Centennial, which is located in Colorado.

Consequently, it was highly interesting to view it in connection with our visit to Colorado.

We were able to envision the events and characters in the book within the context of the real place we had visited.

This added an extra layer of depth and understanding to our reading experience.

The detailed descriptions of the town, its people, and their struggles made us feel as if we were actually there, witnessing the growth and changes of Centennial over time.

Overall, Centennial was a captivating and engaging read that offered a unique perspective on the history of the West.

And so we embark upon a new year of delving into the works of James Michener. I constantly find myself pondering whether I truly relish Michener's writing, or if it's more about the sense of accomplishment from having read his books. After all, he is a widely popular writer, not necessarily in the realm of "high literature." When I'm engaged in a 1,000-page tome, it's not for the sake of some cultural prestige. It's simply because I have a genuine affinity for his work.

I've reached the conclusion, having successfully completed my fourth Michener book (after "Hawaii," "Alaska," and "The Novel"; "Tales of the South Pacific" and "Space" are attempts that I plan to return to), that I mostly enjoy his novels. I'm in awe of the vast sweep of history he presents, spanning from prehistoric times to the present day. I become fully immersed in the generational narratives, witnessing young children grow old and assume leadership roles in companies and families. However, at times, I do tire of the excessive exposition and proselytizing.

"Centennial" is for the most part, truly remarkable. Early on, we encounter a living diplodocus and observe its habits and daily life. Several substantial chapters later, a character discovers its bones on his farm. That's the kind of stuff that I absolutely adore. In between, we are introduced to various indigenous tribes, witness how white settlers encroach and attempt to eradicate them, and learn all about Hereford cattle. There's a wealth of information.

We also observe how farming, agriculture, and irrigation mold the small Colorado town of Centennial. This shouldn't be as fascinating as it turns out to be. I keep anticipating it to be dull, but it never is. There's politics, dry farming, unrequited love, and, rather strangely, a crude and shocking murder that could stand alone as its own short story. Watching the events that unfold as a result of that murder is truly thrilling.

So, what don't I like? Oh my goodness, the seemingly endless final chapter. It's all about how wonderful Centennial used to be and how dreadful it is now. It's not just that it's a pessimistic ending; it's the fact that it takes such a long time to reach that conclusion. Even the presence of a rather charming love story fails to salvage that last chapter.

Apart from that, "Centennial" is an engaging and often exciting read. It will be a while before I'm ready to take on the next one, but that's perfectly fine. I can wait.

Wow.

What a remarkable beast of a book this is!

Filled to the brim with intricate detail, it demands to be read slowly, almost like a patient exploration through the annals of time.

As I delved into its pages, I found myself gradually falling in love with the charming town of Centennial and developing a deep sense of care for the diverse characters that populate the story.

I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, being excited when events unfolded favorably and frustrated when things took an unexpected turn.

This is by no means a quick read. It requires dedication and a willingness to embrace the challenge.

It's not for those with a faint heart who shy away from complexity.

However, for those who are willing to invest the time and effort, this book offers a unique opportunity to slowly read and ponder the rich history of the eastern plains of Colorado.

It's a literary adventure that rewards the reader with a profound understanding and a lasting appreciation of the region's past.

I firmly believe that this book, in its structural guise as semi-historical fiction posing as historical fact, has the potential to mislead the uneducated reader. It can lead them to become emotionally engaged with inaccurate and outdated historical conceptions of the 1970s, especially when it comes to the portrayal of Indigenous people, enslaved Black people, and women. This is hardly unexpected considering it was penned in the 70s. As a result, I seriously question its current relevance.

However, it is interesting to view the book as a historical artifact in its own right. It mirrors the attitudes held by some individuals in the 1970s and the biases present in historical research during that era. One aspect of the book that I truly enjoyed was the opening chapter on the geological formation of Colorado and the earth in general. I have a particular fondness for rocks.

I would be extremely eager to see someone rewrite this book with more historically accurate information and a deeper historical analysis. Additionally, it would be beneficial to transform the main character, who is writing the book within the fictional world of the story, into someone who is not a misogynistic asshole. This way, the reader can have more trust in the narrator and the overall narrative.

I could even contemplate awarding this book the highest possible rating. However, I refrained from doing so as it was slightly outdated and, in certain parts, rather clumsily overemphasized.

Basically, I have always pondered whether people simply had Michener books on their shelves due to their length and impressive appearance, or if they were truly excellent and captivating reads. I initiated "The Source" some time ago but abandoned it when I neared the present day. I discovered the content regarding ancient times to be truly fascinating, yet the more modern it became, the more it lost my interest. I feel that I should grant it another opportunity. "Centennial" was engaging throughout, partly because even the more contemporary material still pertained to the old west, and it is challenging to render the old west uninteresting.

I believe it is a bit absurd to commence the book in dinosaur times. I understand his desire to be comprehensive, but the information about the animals is nowhere near as captivating as that about the people. The reader also needs to suspend disbelief to a certain extent, as at times the characters throughout history are rather conveniently interconnected. Nevertheless, for the most part, the story truly flows along smoothly, the characters are engaging, the plot twists are skillfully executed, and he does a remarkable job of evoking the setting. I actually found myself becoming emotionally invested in these characters and felt sad when they passed away, which doesn't always occur to a reader.

It is amusing how some of this is outdated. I find it难以置信 that a regular person from the east coast in 1973 would never have eaten a taco or had a Coors. I suppose the world has changed, but that seems preposterous. In fact, the entire framework in which he presents this story is a bit silly, framing each chapter as a project for a magazine in New York. I think Michener could have devised a better structural device than that. In fact, that is precisely why I awarded it four stars, in hindsight.

But in any case, if you desire a book that is evocative of the west, particularly the plains, I highly recommend this one.