A solid historical fiction epic overall,

and a decent education on a part of the country that I was previously fairly unfamiliar with.

However, I think that I'm still searching for the literary high that I experienced when I read my first Michener, Hawaii about a year ago.

When I read Hawaii, I happily traversed through several hundred years over the span of several hundred pages.

Chesapeake, on the other hand, was a book where I much more acutely felt its length, especially after the first half.

By the last few chapters, I found myself growing weary of most of the families that I had been following down through the generations.

Frankly, I was just a little tired overall from the entire reading endeavor.

The author was at his best and most engrossing when the focus was on the land and fauna.

They practically (or in the case of one family of Canadian geese, literally) became characters.

However, that wasn't enough to make me feel a sense of relief in the wrong way when the book came to a close.

Methinks it will be a while until I'm ready to take on yet another Michener and try and attempt to see if I can get another Hawaii-esque experience.

This was my first encounter with a Michener book, many years ago. At that time, I was in search of "fat" books, and Michener always delivered in that regard - his books were indeed "fat".

Seemingly, a great deal of research had gone into it. Since I'm not an expert, I can only assume that the research served as a framework upon which to hang the story. As I can recall, in this case, it was the history of a house. And it was just okay.

At least, it didn't inspire me to rush out and read more of Michener's works. In fact, I've had one of his books sitting on my bookshelf for over 20 years now, and I don't feel any urgency to pick it up and read it. Maybe I'll get around to it when I find myself with a lot of time to kill.

Overall, while the book had its merits in terms of the research and the concept of telling the history of a house, it didn't quite capture my imagination in a way that would make me eager to explore more of Michener's literary offerings.

This is a very good read indeed.

However, I must issue a warning if you are an audiobook listener. In my opinion (IMO), the narrator is not very good. To be honest, I found the narration quite annoying.

Regrettably, I don't think I'll be reading or listening to any more James Michener books. But, if you are a full-on book reader, then this one is definitely worth it! The story is really good.

It has engaging characters and a plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Even though the audiobook narration wasn't to my liking, I can still appreciate the quality of the written work.

If you have the opportunity, I would recommend giving this book a try in its printed form. You might just be pleasantly surprised.

Overall, despite the drawback of the audiobook narrator, the story itself makes it a worthwhile read for book lovers.

From 1583 to 1978, the saga unfolds, meticulously tracking the lives of individuals, their families, the society they inhabit, and, most significantly, the place where all of this occurs. Chesapeake is not merely about a geographical location and its people; it is also about a distinct way of life.

The book is a classic example of Michener's style, employing individual stories across generations to illustrate how a place and its society have developed. As one reads each generation's narrative, it can be challenging to perceive the passage of time, as the changes are often so subtle that they go unnoticed.

Despite human efforts, many of the place's characteristics remain constant, making it easier to recognize the transience of man and the things he creates, not only boats and buildings but also the structures of the society in which he lives.

The book vividly captures the plight of the Indians, the original inhabitants of the area, the arrival of the first conquerors, the American War of Independence, the slave trade, the American Civil War, World War 2, Watergate, with some events in the foreground and others in the background, as the fates of individuals and families ebb and flow.

In conclusion, the book presents a fascinating blend of humans, nature, and human nature. It offers a comprehensive and engaging look at the history and evolution of Chesapeake, making it a must-read for anyone interested in American history and culture. :)

This was an absolutely amazing piece of writing, truly a remarkable achievement.

In my humble opinion, it is far superior to the writing style of Edward Rutherford. Although both authors deal with the concept and story of one place over a long time period, there is something truly special about this work.

I have learned an incredible amount from reading this book. It has opened my eyes to new perspectives and ideas.

Moreover, I am extremely excited because Michener has written many more books that I am eager to explore. He is a new author to me, and I can't wait to discover the wealth of knowledge and entertainment that his other works have to offer.

I have a feeling that each of his books will be a unique and captivating experience, just like this one.

I look forward to delving into his literary world and seeing where his stories take me.

James A Michener's Chesapeake is an extensive work of historical fiction, consisting of over 1100 pages and covering the time period from 1583 to 1978.

The novel is enhanced by the inclusion of authoritative geological, cultural, scientific, and political commentary, which adds depth and authenticity to the story.

There is a wealth of history to be learned, with a diverse cast of fictional and real-life characters, including George Washington, Hitler, and Richard Nixon.

Michener's insights into environmental degradation and its effects on both nature and human activity are presented clearly, as are his views on the inhumane treatment of Native and Black Americans.

Overall, Chesapeake is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on American history and society.

I have a rather complex emotional bond with this book that I have just finished reading. My relationship with the family matriarch was also quite intricate as she was a difficult woman. I recall being at a challenging age, in the early stages of adolescence, and digging my fingernails into my palms as Nana expounded on the plot of this book in extremely long-winded detail. It seemed as if it would never end. The more bored and frustrated I became, the slower and more emphatically she spoke. James Michener is an author I had never read before but had always associated with feelings of being trapped and bored, with a desire to scream inside.

Nana, who has been long gone, was with me as I read this. There is a whole mini chapter told from the perspective of a goose, and I thought, oh yeah. That was her thing. She would have absolutely loved that. I also recognized her in the troubling way this book addressed race and slavery. The black individuals who were worthy of inclusion in this story were not real people - they were supermen. Preternaturally strong, brave, well-formed, virtuous, and family-minded. Good negroes. Although the horrors of slavery - and indentured servitude - were touched upon, bad slave owners and egregious abuses were described as rare. The beginning of the slave trade in America, all the nuances between indentured servitude and perpetual servitude, and how race entered into that awful equation in the states were barely treated, if at all. Again, I felt Nana over my shoulder. I believed in the Gone With the Wind narrative until I was 12.

In terms of race, this book has not aged well.

How does it hold up on its own, without Nana and without the legacy of growing up in Maryland, where there have been Sundown towns within my lifetime? The characters are broadly sketched. Motivations are reduced to character adjectives. Is it well-written? It's okay! Just when I had decided to create a drinking game based on the word "intuitively," he stopped overusing it.

All in all, Michener is not to my taste. It's too broad, too simple, and too whitewashed. I prefer authors who use small moments and observations to tell a story. This is not a remotely subtle book.

Just starting to understand Michener’s methods.

This book was extremely dense! Every single page was filled to the brim with minute details and sparse dialogue.

At first, you can't help but wonder how on earth you'll ever manage to get through it. However, as you progress, you gradually realize just how much you're learning about the history.

Moreover, through the family lineages of the characters, a whole new world of knowledge unfolds.

I never once had the inclination to stop, yet I understood very well that this would not be a quick read.

This epic novel was savored like few others I've read before.

It's a book that will remain deeply engraved in my memory for many years to come.

It's as if each page is a precious gem, waiting to be discovered and cherished.

The more you read, the more you're drawn into its captivating world.

It's a literary masterpiece that demands your full attention and rewards you with a wealth of knowledge and emotions.

Truly, it's a book that will stay with you forever.

This is an extremely great book.

It presents a fictional story that focuses on families settling in the mid-Atlantic area of America.

Among these families, there are trappers, fishermen, and farmers.

The story covers a vast span of four hundred years, which allows readers to witness the evolution and development of these families and the region over such a long period.

The detailed descriptions and engaging plot make it a truly captivating read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in American history, family sagas, or just enjoys a well-written fictional story.

It is sure to keep you entertained and informed at the same time.

The first book I ever read by Michener was an absolute delight.

It was love at first read! Since then, it has become a staple in my reading list. Every few years, when I have a craving for a sweeping saga of historical fiction, I turn to this book.

It truly is the best. The world that Michener has created is so comfortable and inviting that it's easy to get lost in for hours.

The details are impeccable, there are plenty of riveting events that keep you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are simply amazing.

You can tell that he did an incredible amount of research to bring this story to life.

Oddly enough, I have read several other of his books, but I just could never get into them like I did this one.

He is, without a doubt, an amazing writer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction or just a great story.

It's a must-read!

What a tome!

It is truly an astonishingly thick and weighty book. I finally managed to finish it after a solid three months of dedicated listening and reading. This is no ordinary story; it is a truly epic tale that has imparted an abundance of knowledge about my home states of Maryland (MD) and Virginia (VA). The stories within are rich and vivid, filled with captivating characters, complex families, and profound themes that will surely stay with me for a long time. My dear friend Helen told us that this was the book that mattered most to her as she settled into her new home here after arriving all the way from England. It seems that this book holds a special place in the hearts of many, and now, having experienced it myself, I can understand why.

There are numerous writers in this world. However, none can compare to the amazing Mr Michener. I firmly believed that I couldn't love a book more than his Alaska. But then, Chesapeake came along and proved to be one of the finest stories ever told.

We are truly fortunate that he has so many other wonderful works for us to cherish. The question now is, which one should I choose next? There are so many options to consider. Each of his books seems to offer a unique and captivating experience.

Perhaps I should explore his historical novels and immerse myself in different eras and cultures. Or maybe I should venture into his fictional worlds and let my imagination run wild. The possibilities are endless, and I can't wait to discover the next literary gem from Mr Michener.