This novel is an extensive saga that chronicles three families from different social classes, starting from the day they set foot on the Delmarva (the eastern shore of Maryland) all the way to the late 1970s. It would be truly fascinating to read Michener's perspective on the past 30 years. Michener is rather sparing in his use of dialogue and has a penchant for employing words that even college prep courses might not have uncovered.

If you decide to embark on this long journey (comprising 800+ pages), don't anticipate high drama, page-turning action, and suspense. Instead, prepare yourself for lengthy descriptions of Indians and Europeans exploring the bay and the rivers that flow into it. The action, including several accounts of pirates, is described in great detail. The saga is captivating, but the writing is more reminiscent of narrative history than fiction due to its sterile and seemingly unbiased portrayals of the characters.

As a lover of the Chesapeake, it was a delight to read the detailed descriptions of the rivers, oysters, crabs, marshes, geese, and heron. Michener captured many of the unique aspects of the bay - the brackish waters, the Skipjack, Chesapeake retrievers, tomato canneries, and an abundance of corn.

The fictional moments when his characters interacted with historical figures were highly entertaining - for instance, one of the Steeds playing cards with George Washington. Michener adds relevance by weaving such moments and historical events like the civil rights movement and Watergate into the plot.

While suspense may not be Michener's strong suit, his language skills are impeccable. He has penned timelines and one-liners amidst the vast descriptions. One of my favorites is on page 278, where Roselind is describing how she will landscape Devon Island. "My principal flowers will be trees. Because when you plant trees, you're entitled to believe you'll live forever."

The pragmatic knowledge, ingenuity, and rebelliousness of the Turlock clan are also at times both laughable and admirable. At one point, a sailing yacht has run aground in the soft mud of the Choptank. The yacht clearly outweighs the Turlock's skipjack, but Amos (I believe) brokers a deal for $50 to free the boat. Knowing that he cannot tow it free, he ties a line to the yacht's mast at least halfway up and begins to make it heel. When the mast is almost parallel to the water and the keel is unstuck, the tide buoys the boat and it floats free. The owner complains that $50 is a lot of money for 6 minutes of work. To which Amos replies something like, "$5 for doing, $45 for know-how."

If you have the time and wish to learn more about the Chesapeake and enjoy historical fiction, this novel is well worth your time.

My first encounter with a Michener novel was truly an eye-opening experience.

I currently reside in Maryland, and the enchanting Bay region has always held a special allure for me. This deep connection with the area undoubtedly enhanced my appreciation of the novel.

Although it might be argued that the book is approximately 20 percent longer than necessary, in this particular instance, I found myself not minding at all.

The detailed descriptions and the rich tapestry of characters and stories that Michener weaves draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish.

Each page seems to unfold a new layer of the region's history, culture, and people, making it a truly immersive and captivating read.

Despite its length, I was never bored or felt that the story was dragging. Instead, I eagerly turned each page, eager to discover what would happen next and to learn more about the fascinating world that Michener has created.

In conclusion, my first Michener novel has left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.

I had to read this for a history class.

To be honest, it was extremely dull. I'll probably just skim through the pages to find the evidence needed for the assignment.

I can't even begin to describe how painful it was to read the first 10 pages. It felt like time was standing still as I forced myself to plow through the text.

The content seemed to drag on and on, with no real excitement or engaging elements.

I found myself constantly losing focus and having to reread sentences just to make sure I understood what was being said.

Hopefully, the rest of the reading won't be as bad, but based on the first 10 pages, I'm not holding my breath.

I'm just looking forward to getting this assignment over with and moving on to something more interesting.

It is interesting that Goodreads does not provide me with the option of rating this book. I wonder what the reason for that is? Anyway, this book is nearly 1,100 pages long, so don't bother to read my review because you are never going to read this book. (Unless, of course, you live on the Chesapeake Bay, in which case you have probably already read it, and thus have even less reason to read my review.) I can hardly believe that I read it myself, but I did, apparently out of sheer stubbornness.

When I was a youngster, probably in my early teens, I read Michener's Hawaii and loved it. For those who haven't read it, as I recall, it begins with the islands being born from volcanos and just keeps going. I don't think I read anything else by him since then, and I'm not sure what prompted me, but somehow I got it into my head that I should read the one about the Chesapeake, having grown up so close to that great waterway.

As it turns out, it is quite a book, as one might hope from something that long. The author creates a little corner of the Eastern Shore (as he tells us in the preface) and populates it with fictional settlers so he can follow their families through four centuries. There are Native Americans (at least at first), Catholics, Quakers, pirates, Africans, slaves, the Irish escaping the potato famine, and a chapter that tells the story of a family of geese. The whole saga eventually culminates with Watergate and its aftermath, which makes sense for a book published in 1978. Throughout it all, there is an appreciation for wetlands and marshes (with lots of natural history along the way), and at the very end, we see the environmental movement come to life, which is a nice touch. (We also see why it was so necessary.) To the extent that it is a love letter to the place, it is wonderful and charming. And if you like a long historical saga with lots of intense drama and humanity, and can make allowances for when this was written and by whom, you might enjoy the read. But unless you are a die-hard Michener fan, I suggest you proceed with caution.

I'm a sucker for long, epic historical novels (and movies) that mark the passage of time in a particular place. So, yeah, Michener. Chesapeake is especially interesting to me because I grew up near the bay.

I like how he drops into scenes from different parts of history, like jumping right into the water, so we are immersed immediately. It's like being transported back in time with each turn of the page.

The goose chapter, where he describes life from a bird's perspective, is especially meaningful. It gives us a unique and fascinating look at the world from a different point of view.

It's a long journey through hundreds of years, but Michener makes it exciting and absorbing before you realize what you've gotten yourself into. You become so engrossed in the story and the characters that you forget about the passage of time.

Overall, Chesapeake is a great read that offers a rich and detailed look at the history and culture of the Chesapeake Bay area. It's a must-read for anyone interested in history, nature, or just a good story.

This is a sweeping saga of a place that has a special personal interest for me as I've spent 19 out of the last 22 years in this region.

It's definitely a worthwhile read, but the pacing is rather strange. At times, it delves into great detail about a particular event or a couple of hours, while at other times it glosses over a decade or two.

The story managed to hold my interest throughout. However, I wish I had chosen to read the paper or electronic version instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator's style didn't really draw me in.

Speeding it up did help to some extent, but I would still highly recommend experiencing this one through print. That way, you can better control the pace and fully immerse yourself in the details of the story.

Overall, despite the pacing issues and my personal preference for print, this saga offers a captivating look into the history and culture of the place.

Great characters have always played a significant role in shaping history. Their actions, decisions, and contributions have left an indelible mark on the pages of time.

Bay history is rich with the stories of these remarkable individuals. From brave explorers who charted new territories to visionary leaders who brought about social and political change, their legacies continue to inspire us.

However, it is important to note that not all narrators are great. Some may present a one-sided or inaccurate view of events, while others may lack the necessary skills to effectively convey the significance of these great characters and their historical context.

In order to truly understand and appreciate the role of great characters in Bay history, we must seek out multiple sources and perspectives. By doing so, we can gain a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the past and the people who shaped it.

Ultimately, it is the great characters themselves who deserve our admiration and respect. Their courage, determination, and innovation have made a lasting impact on our world, and their stories will continue to be told and retold for generations to come.

Chesapeake
James Michener
5/5 stars
\\"The weight of 4 centuries of history, hidden in plain sight\\"
******
It's truly astonishing how easily one can forget the vastness of the United States and the arduous process of settling and building a nation.

This topic is so extensive that it could easily fill several large books. Michener seems to have an army of researchers at his disposal, which makes sense given the rich local color and detailed information in his books.

Although this book covers the major events in the history of what became the United States, Michener deliberately sidesteps certain things.

The assassination of MLK and the subsequent riots, as well as the Civil War, are given short shrift.

Despite these omissions, the book offers a wealth of interesting information.

For example, it shows how the United States grew organically, with the formation of a government secondary to the practical needs of people living and trading.

It also reveals the theocratic nature of the country in its early days and the various religious movements that came and went.

The treatment of Indians, the existence of white trash and baby daddies, and the horrors of slavery are all explored in depth.

Michener's attention to detail is impressive, from the moulting of a crab to the development of Black American English.

Overall, this book is a recommended read for anyone interested in American history.

The quotes scattered throughout add depth and flavor to the narrative, and the extensive vocabulary list provides a valuable learning opportunity.

Verdict: Recommended.

Vocabulary
*******

gibbets
cutpurse
clement
appurtenances
shallop
cupidity
scrimshaw
penurious
ketch
toothsome
palatinate
roanoke (small \\"r\\")
werowance (by p.184. an Indian chief of Virginia or Maryland.)
*
adze
sawyer
trunnel
keelson
scantlings
jib boom
scarph
blowsy
shrive
summum bonum
pinnace
snow (a type of ship)
unprepossessing
inglenook
ducking stool
sacque
bombazine
dimity
excrescence
spar
luff
wallow
belaying pin
teredos
fearnought
frieze
Osnaburg
*
burnt hartshorn (p.312)
advowson
stock (article of clothing, early form of tie)
canaille
hogshead (cask, 63 gallons)
ordnance (≠ordinance)
tussock
doughty
widow's walk
chatelaine
livery
gimbaled
ecru
reach-and-beat
Fugitive Slave Act (1850)
peroration
malamute
factotum
Majordomo
eplithalamium
skipjack
aprowl
shanghaied
estuary
aprowl
isohaline
spat  (a young bivalve (such as an oyster))
sook (female crab)
cloaca (archaic word for \\"sewer\\")
drayman (p.692)
*
loblolly
torpid
waterman/watermen≠pirate, sailor
beat a tattoo
mastoiditis
harrows
repple depple
prosaic
palisade
nutria
subvention
contumely
rapscallion
davit/davit system
halyard
dacron
Avernus
Dutch door
klaxon greeting (=blowing your horn)

Have to ponder more about how to rate this book.

This book has presented a plethora of interesting ideas and concepts.

On one hand, the author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, which makes it accessible to a wide range of readers.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, keeping the reader hooked from the beginning to the end.

However, on the other hand, there are some aspects of the book that could have been developed further.

Some of the characters felt a bit one-dimensional, and the plot could have had more depth and complexity.

Overall, I find myself in a bit of a dilemma when it comes to rating this book.

While it has its strengths, it also has some areas that need improvement.

I will need to carefully consider all of these factors before arriving at a final rating.

This book's through line is the Chesapeake Bay.

It serves as a means for the characters, ranging from the Native Americans to the people of 1978, to obtain freedom and livelihoods.

The main families include the wealthy Steeds, the Quaker Paxmores, the redneck Turlocks, and the African Americans Caters.

All of them are influenced by the Chesapeake.

Each period in the book is termed a voyage, spanning from the 1600s to the 1970s.

During this time, they encounter crisis after crisis, from wars to the political upheavals of the 1970s.

Some voyages are more favorable than others, but overall, it is a good book.

It offers a vivid portrayal of the lives and struggles of the different families along the Chesapeake Bay over the centuries.

The author skillfully weaves together the stories, highlighting the significance of the bay in their lives and the impact of historical events on them.

Readers will be engaged by the rich characters and the compelling narrative that unfolds throughout the book.

It provides a unique perspective on American history and the role of the Chesapeake Bay in shaping the lives of its people.

The ending of this audiobook left me a bit confused. There was a great deal of information that seemed to occur outside the main story about the Paxmores, and I found it difficult to keep up. There was also a lot of talk about Nixon, which didn't seem relevant to this particular narrative. However, I absolutely adored the last few lines. In fact, I loved almost every part of this book. It had the power to transport me to another world. The story was engaging and full of interesting characters and plot twists. Despite the confusion at the end, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking listen.

Yes, I read all 996 pages!

This is no small feat. It took me a significant amount of time and dedication to get through such a thick book.

As I turned each page, I was immersed in the story, eager to find out what would happen next.

The characters came alive in my mind, and I felt as if I was a part of their world.

Reading this book has been a truly enriching experience. It has broadened my horizons and introduced me to new ideas and perspectives.

I'm glad that I had the perseverance to finish it, and I look forward to reading more great books in the future.