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Chesapeake is the 6th installment in what I term my 'Michener December'. I initiated this back in 2019 when I achieved my Goodreads book goal earlier than usual.

And I decided to read 'Hawaii' by Michener, which had been on my to-be-read list for some time. I had been avoiding it due to its length. But having met my goal, I thought I'd give it a shot. Since then, I have repeated this pattern with Alaska, Centennial, The Source, Texas, and now Chesapeake.

If you're unfamiliar with Michener's style of historical fiction, he follows a certain pattern. The books I've read span hundreds or even thousands of years. He incorporates actual historical figures into his stories. His fictional characters are often a combination of people from the same time period and locale, either combining certain historical figures or creating characters that embody the prevailing thoughts and ideas to give them a presence in his tales. Since the books cover such a long time frame, these fictional characters often marry, and their descendants carry the story through to the present.

Chesapeake adhered to this format, but one thing Michener did differently was to break the sections into 'Voyages', perhaps because of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the region's lifeblood. The first voyage was in 1583 and involved a young Native American who fled his tribe due to his opposition to constant warring and joined the peaceful Choptank tribe. The settlers lived peacefully with them for several decades until they began burning large areas of land to grow tobacco, which led to the Choptanks' rebellion and their eventual extermination.

The second voyage in 1608 introduced the real historical figure of John Smith and one of the 5 main family lines in the book, the Steeds. The story of the Steeds began in England, where they were persecuted for being Catholic in a Protestant-controlled country. Edmund, who traveled with Smith to the new world, hid his Catholicism.

Voyage 3 in 1636 involved a petty criminal named Timothy Turlock who escaped to live in the swamp and whose descendants represented the Appalachian element of the story. This section also covered the idea of 'buying a bride' from Europe, which was a horrifying practice.

Voyage 4 in 1661 introduced the Paxmore family, who were Quakers. There were many interesting aspects related to them, especially later in the story regarding the moral issues of slavery. The hardships of the early Quakers were particularly interesting, and I learned about the early American ideal of 'freedom of religion', which in practice meant that if you didn't agree with the majority, you were likely to be attacked.

Voyage 5 started in 1701 and involved Rosalind Janney, a headstrong young girl who seemed doomed to not marry due to her appearance. Her character set off many events that reverberated throughout the book. I also learned that many of the notorious 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actually did most of their raids in the Chesapeake area.

Voyages 6 and 7 covered the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, respectively. These chapters were interesting and a nice complement to my recent visits to the area.

Voyage 10 in 1837 introduced another family, the Caters, specifically Cudjo, who was forcibly brought over as a slave from Africa. This sequence of events was similar to the story of the Amistad.

From this section up until the Civil War, most of the book was about the horrors of slavery. It amazed me how people could rationalize slavery, often citing the Bible as justification. The next sections covered the Oyster Wars between Maryland and Virginia fishermen, which were not just squabbles over fishing rights but actual attacks like pirates. I also learned about the practice of 'impressment', which persisted into the early 1900s.

One short section involved a Paxmore going to see Hitler before WWII and asking to release several Jews in exchange for money and relocation. Hitler agreed, and several thousand were freed. The last several chapters covered the hardships of blacks after they were granted freedom, all the way up to the civil rights rallies of the 60s and even ventured into the Watergate hearings.

My father's family grew up in Baltimore, so this story was of particular interest to me. Michener lived in St Michaels along the Choptank River as he wrote it. Overall, I rated Chesapeake a 3.5, rounded down to a 3. The reason for this was that the long time span made it harder for me to connect emotionally with the characters compared to some of Michener's other books. However, it was still a good story, and I'm not sure which of his stories I'll try in 2025. I may continue my 'Michener December' tradition or abandon it depending on the quality of his remaining books.

Just arrived from the USA through BM.

The cover of this edition, provided by Wikipedia, is as follows:

This book delves into the history of the North American east, with a particular focus on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where the Choptank River empties into the Chesapeake.

Spanning the historical period from 1583 to 1978, the author presents a wealth of historical facts and a cast of numerous main characters. It showcases how the founders of four families - the Steeds, the Paxmores, the Caters, and the Turlocks - will shape the main plot. Additionally, some strong and remarkable female characters play crucial roles within the story.

The book is divided into 18 chapters, each commencing with a voyage that serves as the foundation for the chapter's plot and描绘s a specific generation of people.

Some geographical locations, such as Devon Island and the town of Patamoke, are fictional. However, there is an interesting link, Talbot County, which suggests an itinerary for this book.

The author also explores a wide range of central themes, including religion, slavery, poverty, industry, and politics, encompassing events such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Emancipation, and the Watergate scandal.

Furthermore, some typical wildlife animals are described, starting with the deer, the Canadian Honker geese, the oysters, and crabs.

This is a magnificent book and an unforgettable saga that is sure to captivate many readers. So far, it stands as the best book I have read by James Michener.

4* Hawaii

4* Alaska

4.5* Chesapeake

TR Tales of the South Pacific

TR Caravans

TR Sayonara

There is no superior method to make history easily understandable than by narrating the story via fictional characters.

Dynasties, truly. This was indeed a gorgeous and revealing account of American history, commencing from the times of Native Americans and extending all the way to the tragedy of Watergate. The scale of the story is magnificent - encompassing exploration, taming the land, revolutions, pirates, and civil rights.

One aspect that impressed me was the dramatic alteration that took place between approximately 1890 and 1930. I was somewhat let down by the absence of transition on Michener's part. However, then I recognized how truly dramatic the change was during those years. There was no transition back then either... things transformed so rapidly.

This was really an astute and enjoyable account of American history from the perspective of Marylanders on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Situated on the border of the Mason-Dixon line, this is an ideal position to depict the mentalities of both Northerners and Southerners. Moreover, the beautiful setting makes you cherish the extensive range of natural beauty that America offers. Truly a remarkable story.

For the past decade, my wife and I have been taking vacations on the James River. It's located nearly across the river from Jamestown, VA. It's truly an amazing vacation spot. We enjoy indulging in delicious crabs, witnessing the beautiful sunsets, and observing the fury of storms that blow down the James River.

We usually make our way there from Boston by driving down the Eastern Shore or the DelMarVa peninsula. To me, this area always seems so isolated. It feels like a region that is out of time and only barely connected to the mainland of the US. During what will most likely be our last trip down there, I started reading this book. It provided a wide and sweeping look at the Chesapeake in a way that I had never been able to fully understand in all the time I've spent there.

This book was truly an epic in the best sense of the word. With nearly 835 pages, it took me a good three weeks to complete. And I'm not sure I could have read it that quickly if I hadn't been on vacation for two of those weeks! It was also epic in the sense that it told stories of generations in a way that modern writers seem to have given up on.

It was almost a delight to read a book that was so clearly written in another era, firmly grounded in plot, characters, and most importantly, place. We weren't burdened by the excessive inner soul-searching that so many current writers think we need to endure.

Sometimes, all you want is a good, solid story that strikes a chord in a special place within your soul.

For me, this book was exactly that.

A multi-generational saga unfolds on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. This captivating story is a long read, yet it is truly well worth the time invested. Michener's masterful writing skills bring both the families and the area to life in the most vivid manner. As one delves into the pages, they can almost picture the characters interacting, the bay's waters lapping against the shore, and the changing seasons that mark the passage of time. The detailed descriptions and engaging plot make it a truly immersive experience. I found myself completely engrossed in the story and was sad to see it end. However, this has only increased my anticipation for reading more of Michener's remarkable books. I am eager to explore the other worlds and stories he has created, knowing that each one will be as rich and rewarding as this one.

Every time I delve into a sweeping multi-generational family saga, I truly relish the experience.

I firmly believe that I should immerse myself in more such stories.

I am captivated by observing how an individual slots into the broader context of their family, and how that person is bound to and affected by their family's past, even when they are completely unaware of it happening.

I yearn for us to be able to perceive ourselves and our associates within such a framework in real life.

Michener dedicated a great deal of attention to religion, race relations, and environmentalism in this work.

In fact, at times it seemed as if the sole purpose of the story was to serve those themes.

While that was acceptable, it perhaps wasn't entirely ideal for me in a novel.

And I adored the fact that this book is set in a location close to me, one that I can envision with absolute clarity.

This enabled me to have an extra appreciation for the sense of place.

Even though the book did refer to the "so-called state of Delaware."

Overall, it was a reading experience that had its highs and lows, but one that I will remember.

A beautiful book that tells the events in the Chesapeake Bay in America, from the first settlements of the Native Americans to the subsequent arrival of the Europeans on the great sailing ships. With great narrative skill, it blends historical reality with the fiction of the private and public events of some families that have lived on its eastern shore.

Without interruptions and without drops in the narrative rhythm, the centuries and the most important historical events are traversed, from the War of Independence to the Civil War, World War I and II, and finally Watergate and the political positions, together with the private life and the world view in each of the protagonist families: from the Steeds, large slave-owning and aristocratic landowners, to the Paxmores, Quakers, shipbuilders and expression of the hardworking bourgeoisie, the Turlocks, skilled hunters and equally fortunate sailors, long on the margins of society, and the Cater, African Americans, slaves for generations and then freed from the yoke of slavery, all in an intriguing and adventurous collective story.

Ugh, I am so relieved to have finally completed this book.

I first picked it up 20 years ago when I relocated to Maryland. However, I only managed to get approximately halfway through it at that time.

I had a strong desire to learn about the history of my state, and the fact that this book remained unfinished constantly bothered me.

Recently, I decided to pick it up again. Unfortunately, it has not endured the test of time. There are appalling race and gender stereotypes that far exceed what Michener was attempting to depict within the specific time periods.

Moreover, there are many needless references (such as Watergate) and unnecessary passages (like the minstrel show).

I persevered and pushed through to the end because I had committed to finishing this particular book about my area. Nevertheless, I would not recommend it to others.

It is truly a disappointment considering my initial expectations.

I was raised with sagas, which had a profound impact on my childhood.

During my high school years, I developed an insatiable appetite for reading. I devoured all the books written by Michener.

His works were like a magical portal that transported me to different times and places. I was completely engrossed in the vivid descriptions and complex characters he created.

Each Michener book was a new adventure, filled with historical events, cultural details, and human emotions.

These stories not only entertained me but also broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding of the world.

Thanks to Michener's books, I gained a greater appreciation for the power of literature and its ability to inspire and educate.

To this day, those reading experiences remain some of the most precious memories of my high school days.

3.5 stars.

This book is almost more history than historical fiction. It has been a perfect read to accompany me during my month-long cruise along the Chesapeake.

The story is rich in historical details and vividly描绘 the life and times of the region.

However, the only disappointment lies in the last couple of chapters.

The "modern day" sections, as of the book's publication in the late 1970s, seem a bit out of place.

The attempt to incorporate the characters into the political drama of that era feels forced and not as seamless as the rest of the narrative.

Nonetheless, the overall quality of the book makes it a worthwhile read for those interested in the history and culture of the Chesapeake area.

Despite the minor flaw in the ending, it still manages to provide an engaging and informative experience.

I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a historical read with a touch of fiction.

It offers a unique perspective on the past and is sure to keep readers entertained and enlightened.

I almost gave up on this book after reading 200 pages as it seemed so brutally non-literary. However, I'm truly glad that I persevered and slogged through it.

Michener adopts a god's eye perspective of the region, commencing with John Smith and the Indians, and unfolds the history through the generations of four distinct families - the plantation owners, the Quakers, the low-life "watermen", and the African Americans.

There are cameo appearances by George Washington and other notable figures, incursions by pirates, chapters on boat building - and even a crab cake recipe. Additionally, there's a touch of drama with an (anthropomorphic) wild goose as the hero.

The most captivating thread for me was the account of slavery in this battleground region, told across the generations, with the very gradual evolution of moral consciousness. It was actually quite nuanced and made me have a strong desire to discover more.

This isn't really a novel in the traditional sense, as the characters merely serve to illustrate types. But there's something gratifying about having such an encyclopedic introduction to a place that you're visiting for the first time.