Michener, and it has a red asian stamp on the lower left corner of the book plate, with the initials j. Various james micheners favorite music of hawaii discogs. The chapter on love and arranged marriages was very interesting. Abner hale in the book is a composite of several early missionaries, as is jerusha. He was a very popular american author of more than almost 40 books, most of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of a lot of generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. The washington post a michener epic is far more than a bedtime reader, its an experience. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys. The lubonski family is one of the princely houses of poland, its wealthy patriarchs generally ruling over their region. Nov 20, 1983 for the three million jews of poland who perished in the holocaust, it constitutes a second death.
In the sweeping span of eight tumultuous centuries, three polish families live out their destinies and the drama of a nationin the grand tradition of a great james michener saga. Taken from the center section and the longest section of james micheners famous book, hawaii is actually a rather intimate, incredibly tragic story despite its claim to epic scale. James a michener books biography and list of works author. James micheners favorite music of hawaii vinyl record. I think he did a lot of research and planning for the books, but none of the writing. James micheners historical novel, poland polish housewife. Once again james michener turned in a stellar performance with this novel.
Since its original publication c1959, micheners sprawling saga of the hawaiian islands has been enjoyed by millions of readers. Michener 19071997 was an american author of historical fiction and nonfiction. His keen interest in statehood for hawaii manifested itself in activities on many fronts. The nonfiction works of james include iberia, which is based on his travel experiences in portugal and spain. Israel the source, korea the bridges at tokori, hawaii, mexico, poland, afghanistan caravans, and so on. This book presents micheners analysis of his own writing and that of his peershis reflections, remembrances, and stories of his youthful encounters with the e.
I found an old copy of poland randomly in a second hand bookshop in ireland. It is historical fiction rather than fact and i know that those who have studied hawaiis history do not agree with the author that the original settlers came from bora bora. The book tells the story of a part of america colorado. I had shied away from reading james micheners poland, even though michener. Better get to like them, because theyre the principal food in hawaii. I am still working my way through it but,also, dont want it to end.
I dont think thats ever been micheners strong suit. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial. James michener built his reputation as a writer with his histories of contested lands. February 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author. Interwoven with the action are the fates of three families. The poland study guide contains a comprehensive summary and analysis of poland by james a. James michener list of movies and tv shows tv guide. James albert michener february 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author of more than 40 books, most of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. The whaler showed abner how to peel one, took a big bite, and gave the stub to abner.
The dullest, if timeliest, history lesson yet from michener junior collegefollowing three polish clans noble, pettynoble, peasant from 1204 a. Hawaii is not just a literary interest for james a. The micheners had lived in hawaii for some years, and in his novel mr. The historical correctness of the novel is high, although the narrative about the early polynesian inhabitants is based more on folklore than anthropological. The most notable work of james includes, hawaii, caribbean, alaska, poland and many more. In 1981 there was a huge incentive to collude between a writer, a publisher, and a ghost writer, all three of whom would profit tremendously from falsely attributing works to the most famous writers. The book was written prior to the breakdown of the soviet union and the dispersion of its satellites. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the country. Michener and published in 1983 detailing the times and tribulations of three interconnected polish families across eight centuries, ending in the thenpresent day. I guess my main criticism is that this book came across like the movie braveheart. By examining the land from the firstoften before men had even come into the countryhe was. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james micheners poland teems with vivid events and unforgettable characters in the sweeping span of eight tumultuous.
Apart from my obvious soft spot for it, i think its really well written. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Michener was born in new york in 1907 and grew up in doylestown, pennsylvania, which he left at fourteen to bum his way crosscountry. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas, caribbean, and caravans, and the memoir the world is my home. The mistreatment of indians and the land grab of wanting more and more land for cattle is told in great detail. James micheners original novel was of war and peace duration and i suppose the final script was as best they could get it and cover what he was trying to convey. Poland novel poland is a historical novel written by james a. A michener epic is far more than a bedtime reader, its an experience. The novel was published in 1959, the same year hawaii became the 50th u. Favorite music of hawaii vinyl record album great condition. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. James a michener books biography and list of works.
He wrote more than 40 books, most of which were lengthy, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. This book was written to commemorate the us bicentennial in 1976 and is a phenominal book in its depth and in the story telling capabilities of james a michener. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james micheners poland teems with vivid events and unforgettble characters. Praise for recessional the best moments in the novel occur when the characters disclose whats in their hearts and minds with rueful, snappy humor. He established residence in the islands a few years ago and he has become an active participant in the civic affairs of hawaii. James albert michener was born on february 3 in the year 1907. She was a polish immigrant to our country and i detected that she was proud of her mother country. Micheners novel covering polands recent history, with its conflict between church and state, worker and leader, and the poland of centuries gone by, struggling to retain its land and identity in the face of stronger powers on all sides. This was another underappreciated epic from united artists in the year 1966 the other was khartoum. It is historical fiction rather than fact and i know that those who have studied hawaii s history do not agree with the author that the original settlers came from bora bora. Mostly in good vg, but hawaii and sayonara have partially loose bindings. As the volcanic hawaiian islands sprout from the ocean floor, the land remains untouched for centuriesuntil, little more than a thousand. The saga begins with a talky 1981 confrontation, in the village of bukowo on the vistula, between farmunion leader janko buk and.
The lubonski family is one of the princely houses of poland, its wealthy patriarchs generally ruling over their. He is wellknown for the amount of research that went into his work in addition to the length of his novels 900 pages was a short novel for him. Michener has 150 books on goodreads with 494184 ratings. Hawaii s first christian church, a stolid stonehewn ziggurat built in 1837, is on the national register of historic places, though its bones and electrical wiring have been ravaged by earthquakes, termites, and dryrot. James mitcheners book is an extremely well written, detail packed account from the 12th to the 20th century.
From the first polynesians who settled the island to the japanese who fought in the nisei battalions in world war ii, this michener novel presents hawaii in all its beauty, mystery and exotic splendour. Ive never heard of the book or the author before either. The book opens in the fall of 1981, in the small village of bukowo. Michener surprises again with his meticulous history of poland. The years that followed, with their great variety of odd jobs and experience, were an important part of his early education. Once you become familiar with em, theyre real good. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesa. James micheners historical novel, poland december 27, 2016 by polishhousewife 11 comments as i was leaving arizona to move to poland, a friend gave me two books about my new home, one was james micheners historical novel, poland. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. But its very entertaining, easy reading just as well, given its length. This first edition, signed by james michener is available at bauman rare books. I have been a fan of james a michener for years and this book is well on a par with his other classics such as alaska and texas. James michener, author of novels that sweep through the.
But poland was the prime mover of the crash of the soviet union. An alternate cover edition for this isbn can be found here. It was a godsend, exactly what i needed, i absolutely loved it. I gave a copy of this book to a nurse who attended me in a hospital, a few years ago. Michener brings hawaii s epic history vividly to life in a classic saga that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1959. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james micheners poland teems with vivid events and unforgettable characters. Michener and published in 1983 detailing the times and tribulations of three interconnected polish families the lubonski family, the bukowski family, and the buk family across eight centuries, ending in the thenpresent day 1981.
Michener served on the advisory council to nasa and the. I was living there for about 3 years at this stage and was fairly homesick. Michener has 150 books on goodreads with 493841 ratings. Tracing the islands rich and varied history from its volcanic beginnings through its turbulent years toward statehood, the author relates a colorful and absorbing tale of the territory that eventually became part of the united states. It is the home of janko buk who is the leader of an. James michener full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films.
Its a stated first edition from random house, and the number line does not contain a 1, as is typical of random house books of this era. It is possible that abner hale and john whipple represent reallife missionaries bingham and thurston at least in part. Michener sought to show that the islands had been able to harmonize. This is an original hard cover program from the mirisch corporations 1966 production of james a. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of poland. While james michener loved hawaii, even he became disillusioned here.
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