Favorite part:

The author clearly put in a great deal of effort researching the setting and its respective history. Uniquely, the character development took place mainly across generations, rather than within the lifespan of individuals. The representation of all relevant historical eras and groups contributed to a deep and believable narrative.

Least favorite part:

The prose is lackluster and ordinary. There are numerous unnecessary slurs. The length of the text gives the impression of the author being self-indulgent. I read the last 25% under mental stress, eagerly anticipating an “ending,” but couldn't escape the plot's sluggishness.

Conclusion:

This plot has significant potential as a TV series. I'm glad I completed this, as I was able to connect with the story, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who requires intense engagement from a book of this length. It has its strengths in the historical research and character development across generations, but the dull prose and excessive length detract from the overall reading experience.

I truly desired to be capable of envisioning the actual eastern shore within my mind. However, I encountered a significant challenge in seamlessly integrating the fiction and non-fiction elements present in this book. Among all the aspects that I struggled with the most, it was the conspicuous absence of any mention regarding the fact that Washington's wife had a stake in the Virginia eastern shore. One would have thought that this particular detail would have, at the very least, been briefly touched upon or glossed over.

It seems rather odd that such an important aspect was overlooked. This omission left me with a sense of incompleteness in my understanding of the story and its historical context.

I wonder if the author had a specific reason for not including this information. Perhaps it was an oversight or maybe there was a deliberate decision to focus on other aspects of the narrative. Nevertheless, it would have been beneficial to have had at least a passing reference to this fact to enhance the overall authenticity and comprehensiveness of the book.

I just couldn't be bothered. There was this massive tome of a book in front of me. In fact, I almost wrote "tomb" instead, and perhaps that would have been more accurate. It felt like it would truly kill me to keep reading it. The writing simply wasn't good enough to hold my interest.

I managed to struggle through 200+ pages, but that was it. I just couldn't take it anymore. There are so many other better books out there waiting for me to discover. I don't want to waste my time on something that doesn't engage me.

Maybe someone else might find it interesting, but for me, it was a definite no-go. I'm looking forward to finding that next great book that will capture my imagination and keep me turning the pages.

Wow, the scope of this book was truly quite incredible.

It ranged from the first inhabitants who lived on the eastern shore all the way to Watergate. This work of historical fiction, which was published in 1978, bravely tackles issues that remain highly relevant even today, such as systemic racism and the depredation of the environment.

My favorite part of this hefty 1001-page book was the little-known history of the Bay region. It delved into the exciting tales of pirates, the events of the War of 1812, and the construction of the Bay bridge. Thanks to this book, I now know so much more about the history of Maryland, the eastern shore, and Virginia. I was really surprised at how relevant the book still is today, and perhaps a bit disappointed too.

This book has been sitting on my shelf for probably around 15 years. I don't think I would have appreciated it as much in my 20s. Even though we had a boat and spent most weekends exploring the bay's rivers, harbors, and other nooks, I didn't have the same perspective then.

But I was determined that this year would be the year. So, I took it on our summer vacation when we circumnavigated the bay via roads starting in Virginia. It was great fun to be reading this book as I was discovering places like Jamestown and Yorktown, which are featured in the beginning.

The prose isn't perfect, and I certainly preferred some generations of the families more than others. However, I do highly recommend it to anyone making a home in Maryland or anyone with an interest in the history and culture of this region.

As with all the substantial works of Michener that I have perused, I have a distinct preference for the earlier chapters over the later ones.

The earlier portions of his novels typically engage with fascinating aspects such as geology, natural history, or fictional characters from bygone eras. These elements add depth and a sense of historical authenticity to the story, captivating the reader's imagination.

In contrast, the later chapters often focus on political events that were contemporary to the time each novel was penned. While these events are undoubtedly important, they have a tendency to date rather quickly, making the reading experience somewhat dry and less engaging.

Nevertheless, despite these drawbacks, Chesapeake remains a good and worthwhile read. It offers a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the region's history, culture, and people, providing valuable insights and entertainment.

Overall, Michener's works, including Chesapeake, are a testament to his remarkable storytelling abilities and his deep understanding of the human experience.

Chesapeake is a rather meandering account that covers a part of the Chesapeake Bay area, starting just before the arrival of Europeans and extending until the 1970s. In the beginning, the story shows promise and grabs the reader's attention. However, as it progresses, it starts to truly ramble and also omits significant historical moments. For example, the Civil War is only mentioned as an afterthought, and the Civil Rights movement is regarded as a peripheral event. These oversights in historical events are quite an interesting choice, especially when considering the nearly insignificant details that are actually included. At one point, I persisted in reading merely because I had already invested a significant amount of time in the book, and not finishing it would seem like a wasteful failure.

Basically, I would assign a higher rating to the first half of the book as the character and plot development were well executed and enjoyable. I was engaged with what was happening and could clearly observe how things were unfolding. On the other hand, the second half would receive a lower rating as it felt as if Michener had largely abandoned any meaningful development and was simply aiming to reach a certain page count. The stories became dull and superficial.

I haven't completely lost interest in Michener, but it will likely be some time before I decide to invest my time in another one of his books.

My five stars go to the ducks, the crabs, the oysters, the red heron and all those Creatures that made my heart race with emotion.

And to the women: Martha, Ruth, Rosalind, Elisabeth, Rachel, Eden, Ellen and all the many others who have been the backbone of this story.

They also go to the Indian chief Pentaquod and to the emblematic families of the story: the elegant Steed, the courageous Paxmore and the wild Turlock, all carriers of defects and virtues, but who doesn't have them?!?

And still: to Cudjo, to Jeb and to all those who fought to free themselves from the chains of slavery.

I'm not going to repeat the beautiful words that many have spent before me; I can only confirm them all.

It's a great book.

I recommend reading it, but if you intend to take this journey, take it calmly because the journey is long and must be enjoyed: from 1583 to 1978.

And after all, how could it be otherwise? The United States didn't create itself in the blink of an eye.

Ops! However, I have to make a few small points.

1: the Indians... what happened to them? They are no longer talked about from a certain point on. What a pity. Especially in light of what little I know.

2: The Secession... well the preamble, but... the most beautiful part, the most fought, the harshest, is missing.

However, to be fair, here we are talking about a limited area: of the Chesapeake Bay, of Maryland, of the Choptank, not of all the United States. It is, in the end, just one example among many.

And so I take it back, and say that all in all it can be okay.

Reading this took longer than expected, albeit mainly because I started a YT-channel so feel free to check it out! Link in my profile.

This is an extremely big book. It crams 400 years of history together, yet so much important stuff is glossed over.

I have a passion for historical fiction and really enjoy reading multi-generational stories. Overall, Michener does a really good job here, although there is a noticeable decline in the latter quarter of the book.

We are exposed to the Native Americans and how the arrival of the English had a profound impact and ultimately destroyed their lives. We also witness various religious groups attempting to make a life in the colonies and the struggles that come with it. As a European, I knew very little about Quakerism except that it existed, so that was a very interesting new concept that I learned. We learn about the hardships and difficulties that both Catholics and Quakers experienced in the first few hundred years.

Plantation owners and slavery, piracy and the struggle for independence, poverty and racism, geography and nature, all are given attention throughout the generations in this book. Some aspects, unfortunately, receive more attention than others.

As usual, in these types of stories, I prefer the pre-20th century chapters the most. In those, the focus is usually on only one or two characters and one specific event. They receive much more attention, and you feel a more significant connection with them. However, in the later chapters, so many characters are involved, and so many historical events occur that you can no longer see the forest for the trees. I still remember most of the characters from the first few chapters, but I can barely remember any names from the penultimate chapter (and I read that this morning!).

When the scope widens, Michener's limitations become evident. Those last few chapters were no longer exciting and did not focus on anything substantial. I mean, the struggle for equality among black Americans between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement in the 50's and 60's barely received any attention except in passing and was more of an afterthought rather than a focus of the story. But 50 pages about duck hunting or 100 pages about Watergate... I would have preferred it the other way around.

That's why I give this book 4 stars. The first 60-70% of this book was excellent, worthy of 5 stars. The writing was excellent and detailed, covering everything and everyone involved, with interesting characters and a great combination of the fictional and the historical, everything you could want in a historical fiction novel. However, the last 30-40% became too bland, and Michener lost focus. We easily see half a dozen characters within less than 100 pages, and the chosen events are just not very exciting. I end this book with a bit of a sour aftertaste but an overall satisfactory feeling. I will definitely try to read some of his other works in the future.

A very personal read for me;
The comprehensive accounting of four centuries on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
The place where my ancestral roots lie.
The fictional town of Patamoke, based on Cambridge (where both of my parents grew up),
Was brought to life in such a meaningful, realistic way.
So many of the recent historical accountings,
I've heard firsthand from my grandparents and parents.
But delving back to the time of Captain James Smith (1600's)
Gave me an understanding of the place I call "home" greater than I've ever had.
Every page wound the connection a little tighter and a little deeper.

This "land of pleasant living,"
Surrounded as it is by tidelands, estuaries, marshes and the incredible Chesapeake Bay,
Is really a unique, special and splendiferous place.
Especially upon discovery ~ before it was spoiled by people, pollution, trash and overfishing and hunting.
I think it should be required reading for every resident east of the Bay Bridge.
It explains so many ingrained viewpoints felt by residents that (maybe) they have no consciousness of where they originated.
A perfect example of this is our connection to the south and southern states (and why this part of Maryland is most definitely southern)
When most of the country thinks the state of Maryland is not southern.
I've repeatedly tried to explain this to some of my friends who get exasperated at the idea.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is truly a place unto itself
And entirely separate from the Western shore.
The Chesapeake Bay created a division, not only of the state but its culture,
That is still impactful today and maybe it's impossible to understand without being a resident or student of history.

It took me most of the month of July to get thru the book,
But I felt no compunction to push myself.
I enjoyed taking my time and being immersed in the extraordinarily detailed and (from what I can tell) very accurate recounting of the history and customs of this most cherished region of our country.
I have many passages dog-eared and I know I will find comfort returning to them again in the future.
All the love to Mr Michener for whatever compelled him to research and immortalize it.

So, yours truly managed to pick up a first edition of this book for a few shekels recently.

I was truly excited when I came across it. As I delved into the pages, I found it to be very typical of Michener.

His detractors will try to tell you that his formulaic writing style and lack of character development made the late author nothing short of a hack.

However, I have a different perspective. Indeed, I found this best-seller from 1978 to be very much like the other two Michener novels I've read.

And, as he covers nearly four centuries over 865 pages, the folks who populate his narrative are painted in very broad strokes.

But still, Michener fans will argue that his novels transcend these flaws.

They have a valid point. If the reader will forgive the uninspired structure and lack of identification he allows (either with would-be heroes or villains), one can put down a Michener novel feeling that they truly know the spirit or character of a given place.

This is certainly true of "Chesapeake." It takes the reader on a journey through time and space, allowing them to experience the essence of the Chesapeake region.

Despite its flaws, the book offers a unique and valuable perspective that is well worth exploring.

I had an incredibly wonderful time learning an enormous amount about a particular thing that I truly have no interest in at all!

It was quite a strange experience. Usually, when I engage in learning, it's about topics that pique my curiosity or align with my passions. But this time, it was something completely different.

Despite my initial lack of care, as I delved deeper into the subject, I found myself surprisingly engaged. There were so many fascinating details and aspects that I had never considered before. It was like opening a door to a whole new world.

I discovered that even things that seem uninteresting on the surface can hold hidden treasures of knowledge. This experience has taught me to be more open-minded and willing to explore new areas, even if they don't immediately appeal to me.

In the end, I'm glad I took the opportunity to learn about this thing I didn't care about. It has broadened my perspective and added a new dimension to my learning journey.

4.5 Stars

I firmly believe that Centennial still holds the top spot among the three Michener books I've read, but Chesapeake is a very close second. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chesapeake. Michener is an outstanding writer who has the remarkable ability to vividly describe the regions in his books and intricately detail their history. The ending was truly a bit of a surprise!

Since I reside in NJ, within the Delaware valley, the Chesapeake region is not too distant from where I live. In fact, I have crossed the Susquehanna River numerous times during my travels. One day, I have a plan to take my kayak out there and explore some parts of the river, just as Pentaquod did at the beginning of this book. This is exactly what goes through my mind when I read Michener's epics. I start to formulate my trip to the locations mentioned in the book and almost relive the experience firsthand.

In fact, I have been to the Chesapeake region once before, during a family vacation many years ago. We crossed the 17-mile bay bridge/tunnel. (It was definitely a nerve-racking yet worthwhile experience!) We drove through Williamsburg, VA, spent time at Busch Gardens, took a trip to Chincoteague Island to see the wild horses, and my sister and a friend visited Cherrystone for some excellent clamming. It is such a beautiful area that I would absolutely love to go back there again one day.

So, this wasn't really a comprehensive review but rather more of a personal reflection...