In general, it is quite entertaining. However, towards the end, it slows down a bit and eventually becomes a bit boring.

I got lost in the chapters about the Civil War. Here in Europe, our own very long history is already enough for us to study in-depth in high school. Therefore, about that war, we only know the basics and not much more. And in the part about Watergate, it doesn't clarify much if you don't know something about the topic. I have a bit of rusty knowledge about it.

Nevertheless, it is read very briskly and turns out to be very interesting.

Overall, despite its flaws, this article still has its charm and can capture the reader's attention. It makes one want to explore more about these historical events and gain a deeper understanding. Maybe with a bit more detailed explanation in the areas where it lacks clarity, it could be an even better read.

Writing such a book was indeed quite an undertaking. It was a task that seemed almost insurmountable at times. I often doubted whether I would ever be able to bring it to completion. However, through perseverance and determination, I managed to push forward.

One of the aspects that I found particularly engaging was the chapter titled "Rosalind's revenge". It was a captivating part of the story that added an extra layer of excitement and drama. The way the events unfolded in this chapter kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next.

The character of Rosalind was developed in a very interesting way, and her quest for revenge was both understandable and thrilling. It made me reflect on the themes of justice, forgiveness, and the consequences of our actions. Overall, this chapter was a highlight of the book for me.

Read for the 2020 PopSugar reading challenge. This is "A book published in the 20th century."

For the entirety of my life, except for one summer when I didn't officially change my residence, I have lived in a place where all water eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay and then into the Atlantic Ocean. The signs are everywhere: "NO DUMPING - CHESAPEAKE BAY DRAINAGE." The fourth month of everyone's pandemic isolation seemed like the perfect time to take on a 1,000-page work of fiction with that body of water as its title.

Perhaps it's a bit of a misnomer to call the book Chesapeake when the book's 400-year history mostly only follows the Eastern Shore of that great bay. Like most people who live near the Bay, I have always lived on the western shore (one is capitalized but never the other, as the book notes early on). So it's not quite the experience I imagined, but it was still great.

The relative historical insignificance of the Eastern Shore is not overlooked in the novel. A character in 1608 reported back to Virginia, saying of it, "We will never have a Jerusalem there, nor a London neither.... We have no great riches.... On your western shore drums beat, but on the eastern shore we hear only the echoes." Or as stated in a later narration from 1648:

A basic characteristic of the Eastern Shore was that significant events that happened elsewhere excited wild reverberations throughout the peninsula, but nothing that happened on the shore ever influenced history outside.

Michener published those words in 1978, and I doubt they are any less true today. It's a chronicle that spans more than 400 years, and although it's not set entirely on the Chesapeake, occasionally wandering to other places, nearly the whole story is wrapped up in that previous quote. They don't even spend much time in other parts of Maryland, though there are a couple of token mentions of St. Mary's, Annapolis, and Baltimore, and even the proclamation of the founding of the Maryland colony itself.

This is not a constant stream of Forrest Gump-ing through history - though there is a little of that, as at different times some distinguished and not-so-distinguished people pop in: Captain John Smith, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and John Calhoun, to name a few. A descendant of one of the three primary families ends up being a peripheral figure in Watergate towards the close of the novel.

The story is arranged around thirteen voyages and what follows after them. The earlier ones represent a person traveling to the Chesapeake, or up or down to a different part of the Chesapeake. A Native American who is exiled from the Susquehanna River sails down into the Bay and starts a new life before Europeans have ever tried to settle. There he meets a mostly pacifist tribe that teaches him about oysters, crabs, and birds like Fishing-long-legs (herons) and Onk-or (geese). The tribe shows him how to make a crab cake, a fact that I find simply delightful because I had no real concept that this dish I have eaten many times in my life could be traced so far back.

Later come the settlers. An English gentleman, a bit of an outcast among his own people because he's a Catholic, sails up the Bay to claim a spot for himself and exists peacefully with the tribe. A criminal escapes beyond the reach of the law in the early days of the Virginia colony and founds a family that causes trouble for 300 years. A Quaker who is whipped out of Massachusetts eventually finds his way there. One gets the sense that the author has a deep fondness for Quakers, as they are the only truly, morally good characters to be found, constantly railing against slavery even as some of their fellows and the entire surrounding community keep slaves. One voyage - echoing the travel of the Native tribesman Pentaquod - is about an African who is kidnapped from his village, sold into slavery, and eventually brought to the Eastern Shore.

Still later, the voyages are a bit more abstract and don't even involve humans directly at all: One 10+ page passage is about the migration of geese. One is about a late-19th century ecological disaster brought to the Bay by a tremendous flood in the Susquehanna that washed a bunch of industrial waste down into the Chesapeake.

At the beginning, where these people are on what is then a frontier trying to survive and establish some kind of society, I found it to be the most compelling. Perhaps that's because I just don't know as much about the early colonial days of America, or about, say, the period between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, so even the generic "here's what it was like then" stuff was new to me. The American War of Independence and, to a lesser extent, the War of 1812 are the only wars that are important to the story in any way.

This book is not at all like the Ken Follett 20th century trilogy where his important families keep getting mixed up in all the important moments of history. The Civil War, World War I, World War II, they're all just breezed through in a paragraph; Korea and Vietnam are only mentioned because a couple of sons of the main families end up serving there, and their service is not examined in detail. It's by design, though, as is clear from what I quoted above. The farther we get into history, the less the Eastern Shore matters. But it's still interesting because a lot of people live there and many of them have lives very different from what's familiar.

It is epic. It has a lot to say. Sometimes that's about building boats. Sometimes it's about the cruel treatment of slaves and how the slaveowners tried to justify to themselves that they weren't that bad. Sometimes it's about catching oysters and crabs. Sometimes it's about how Virginians have been trying to take advantage of Maryland for as long as it has existed, and sometimes it's about how Pennsylvanians have been trying to do the same. Later in history, it's a bit about real estate as one forward thinker realizes he can sell to wealthy inland people who want to live on the water - and also about the ecological damage caused by this development of marshland and by over-eager hunters, over-use of certain chemicals, and selfish tourists who littered the sides of the road with beer cans.

And then they built the Bay Bridge, which connects the western shore to the Eastern in the middle of the state. A fictional newspaper editorial said the following as it was announced:

Our most precious corners will be invaded by any boob from Baltimore who has a second-hand car. Noise, contamination, rowdyism, and the influx of strangers who do not understand our values will be the consequence.

Since in my life I have only ever crossed the Bay Bridge on my way to the Atlantic Ocean, I guess I'm guilty here. But I don't dump any trash into the gutters, so hopefully that counts for something.

A friend of mine, upon relocating to Baltimore, inquired as to why the area was in such a state. A acquaintance informed her that she should read this particular book. Subsequently, she has moved on to Denver, but we recently had a discussion regarding Baltimore, where I still dwell. I put forth the same query, and she provided me with the response that had been given to her, "You should read 'Chesapeake.'"

Michener, as I am told by this friend, is a renowned histo-geographical fictionalist. This implies that he crafts stories that span across centuries, in a manner where a geographical location holds just as much significance as the characters who traverse it over time. In "Chesapeake," we are taken on a journey from the prehistoric Native American era up until the race riots of the 1970s. From what I have gathered thus far, the novel will center around life in the Chesapeake Bay region, predominantly in Maryland and specifically on the Choptank River, one of the estuary's tributaries.

I am told that although the characters are fictional, the timing and major events are historically accurate. Given this, my friend felt that it indeed does a commendable job of explaining why Baltimore, or the region in general, has turned out the way it has.

** Update **

I have completed the book, and I cannot help but wonder if I have done so in record time. It is truly a labor of love - over 800 pages filled with minute details. Michener leaves no stone unturned as he endeavors to describe everything from the nautical industry to religion with great intimacy. If you relish this level of detail, as well as history, then this book would be an ideal choice for you.

As a history enthusiast, I adored it. However, the details were a bit overwhelming at times. I also noticed that as the story progressed into the 20th century, it tended to lose a bit of its allure. This, perhaps, is a reflection of my own personal interest in history; I have a penchant for learning about pre-20th century American history. Indeed, I have gleaned a wealth of knowledge about Baltimore, Maryland, Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay, and even the Caribbean. That being said, I am not entirely certain that the book effectively describes why Baltimore is somewhat chaotic, but I am still glad that she recommended it.

When I have more spare time, I would actually like to peruse another Michener novel, "Caribbean."

At one point, a character towards the end of Chesapeake utters the words \\"Oh Jesus... What a bad bargain we've made here.\\" This statement seems to encapsulate an underlying theme that pervades much of James A Michener's work.

The last chapter in a Michener book, and Chesapeake is no exception, typically features some sort of clash of descendants that has been simmering since the first chapter (and in some cases, since the dawn of time). For instance, in Poland, it's the conflict between the Poles and the Russians; in The Covenant, it's the struggle between the defenders of apartheid and the heroes who opposed it.

Chesapeake and Centennial have very similar clashes, with the protectors of the environment pitted against the exploiters of the environment (among other things: in Chesapeake, Watergate is almost a character in this last chapter, which is both strangely captivating and oddly told; perhaps in 1978, Watergate was still fresh in everyone's minds, and even Michener was inspired to write about it).

He is always bringing together all of these diverse forces and individuals that he has painstakingly detailed over 1,000 pages in these final pages for some sort of Michnerian götterdämmerung - although the world never completely combusts. He has to end the books somehow, because history is an unending saga.

Y'all....what am I missing?!

Historical fiction? Sure - it does cover some history. For instance, George Washington makes an appearance. The civil war is briefly discussed in about 8 pages. However, it's also about a fictional city, an invented island, and fabricated families who supposedly had novel contributions or major innovations to society - all of which are made up. It really leans heavily towards the "fiction" side in the "historical fiction" genre. Some elements of the story that are supposed to be based in history are incorrect, which makes it easy to start doubting the rest. For example, Herman Göring and his Swedish wife show up in 1938, but in real life, she died in 1931. Mistakes like these really shook my confidence in the whole book.

"Well-written"? This book felt like a master class on different styles one can attempt when writing a multi-generational historical fiction. Most of the time, the author writes from the perspective of the characters at that particular time. But sometimes, he jumps to a narrator's perspective from the 1900s looking back. Then, of course, he also writes from the perspective of other species. There are already so many characters, but he will still throw in a few extra characters who have no role before or after their chapter (e.g. the Applegarth chapter). Some major ideas are explored in the storyline and plot. But some of the most significant ones are covered only in letters that summarize the big ideas at the time.

"Engrossing"? I just couldn't connect with any of the dozens and dozens of characters. They never developed much nuance, and people in the same family tended to be rather type-cast over the generations. Okay, fine, what about the plot? Was there a coherent plot? This book jumps from big picture but disconnected historical events, and then sometimes pivots to a very specific focus like crab sex or a chapter from a goose's perspective of his life partner and family. I'm being a bit flippant here - as those chapters were trying to drive home a point about ecological change in the area.

OK, fine - theme. This book does give you a sense of the area, a feeling for what it might have been like to live there, and a sadness for the degradation of the bay. The one thing I tend to agree with most reviewers on is that the beginning of the book is much more interesting than the end.

Finally, I read my Christmas gift from 1978.

It was not a bad story really. In fact, it was quite engaging and had some interesting plot twists.

What's funny is that I've kept the book around for this long. Maybe it's because it holds some special memories for me.

As I turned the pages, I was transported back in time to that Christmas morning so many years ago.

The excitement of unwrapping the gift, the anticipation of what was inside.

And now, all these years later, I still have that book. It's a reminder of a simpler time, a time when Christmas was all about the magic and the joy.

Even though the story may not be the most profound or life-changing, it will always have a special place in my heart.

It's a piece of my past that I will cherish forever.

Symphony of a landscape full of unique beauty. In this work, people may not be as significant as in some of Michener's other novels. Therefore, I probably have to deduct half a star. However, in terms of composition and balance, it is clearly the most successful of his historical novels.

Detailed review including a list of the themes where I make deductions, without departing from the overall evaluation. Will it be done sometime during the week or the month?

This work presents a captivating picture of a landscape that seems to have its own story to tell. The author's skill in描绘 this scenery is remarkable, making the reader feel as if they are actually there. Although the role of people may be relatively minor compared to other works, it does not detract from the overall charm of the novel.

The composition and balance of the story are excellent, with each element fitting together seamlessly to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. It is a testament to Michener's talent as a writer that he can create such a vivid and immersive world.

Overall, this is a highly recommended historical novel that offers a unique perspective on a particular time and place. While it may not be perfect, it is definitely one of the best works in its genre.

Like most of James Michener’s work, Chesapeake is an expansive and sweeping historical fiction piece.

It delves deeply into the region through a multigenerational exploration and explanation.

Readers from Maryland will gain a wealth of valuable facts and a better understanding of the reasons behind the area's unique characteristics.

However, they should be prepared for the highly detailed and dissertation-level writing on various topics that may not be strictly necessary for a casual reader.

The book covers a wide range of historical events, social changes, and cultural aspects that have shaped Chesapeake over the years.

Michener's meticulous research and vivid descriptions bring the region to life, allowing readers to immerse themselves in its rich history.

Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about this fascinating area, Chesapeake is a must-read.

It offers a comprehensive and engaging look at the past, present, and future of Chesapeake.

At 1,001 pages, this is undoubtedly the longest book I have ever delved into!

I had been eyeing it for quite a while, and a recent trip to the Chesapeake region truly piqued my interest, prompting me to bring it along. After two weeks, I finally managed to finish this behemoth of a book.

However, that's precisely my biggest gripe. The book is simply far too long. Divided into 14 "Voyages", it could have been more effectively presented as shorter novels, each zeroing in on a specific time period.

In my opinion, the reason this book earned a third star is due to the remarkable and tireless effort and research that must have gone into studying the history of the Chesapeake Bay region. The author then skillfully wove a fictional story, intertwining it with history and real characters such as Washington, Franklin, Calhoun, and even Hitler.

Although I am still interested in reading some other works by Michener, I definitely need a break for now. I can't wait to explore other literary treasures in the future.

I believe I have finally understood the meaning of "the great American novel."

La baia is an epic, a perfectly paginated journey through time, at times lyrical, never boring.

Here's a practical note right away: I adored the division into self-contained chapters, which allowed me to spread out the reading over a longer period than usual. For months, I could return to the Choptank as I pleased, a feeling not dissimilar to the "return to the land" expressed by the last Steed.

Although I liked the ancient part more, with pirates and scoundrels and Rosalynd, I was amazed to see that, in the end, the descendants also cared about the ecology of the bay, and not just its exploitation.

I wouldn't mind if an update came out, an appendix with another thirty years of life in the Chesapeake.

The book is about average for him. He is not my favorite writer, but the area described in the book interested me a great deal.

I lived there for about 40 years, so I have a deep connection and understanding of that place.

The author's portrayal of the area, its people, and their way of life is somewhat engaging.

Although it may not be a literary masterpiece, it is still worth reading once.

It offers a glimpse into a particular time and place that I hold dear.

Perhaps others who have an interest in that area or a similar setting will also find something of value in this book.

Overall, while it may not be a must-read for everyone, it has its merits and is certainly worth considering for those with a specific interest in the subject matter.