Customer Reviews

Chesapeake: A Novel

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Author James A. Michener has conceived and written an epic novel about the land we now know as the Chesapeake Bay region. Using his characteristic writing style of starting at the very beginning (in this case, with the Native American Indians) and then developing the story generation after generation through his rich and interesting characters, Michener tells the complete story of the Chesapeake region. The reader learns how the white settlers from Europe displaced the natives, what animals roamed its lands or flew its skies (he has a whole chapter on Canadian Honker geese - fascinating reading by the way!), what the settlers faced when they tried to build homes and put down roots, how the American shipbuilding industry came to this region, the fight for emancipation of the negro in the Civil War, the great migration of geese and the hunters that tried to shoot them for food and sport, and so much more.

Like other Michener novels, as I was reading "Chesapeake" I thoroughly became engrossed in the story to the extent that I forsook sleeptime to enjoy hours of late-night reading. I literally could not put the book down!

Yes, the novel is long - over 1,000 pages, but it is still an absorbing page-turner. Each chapter is a mini-novel in itself and tells the story of a particular generation of people in the Chesapeake Bay development. Michener has a knack of creating and developing characters that are both interesting and believable and this is his greatest strength as a writer. The reader comes to care about these fictious charcters as though they are living breathing realities, and in a sense, the characters are "real", as Michener's painstaking research enabled him to create his charcters based on historical personages.

"Chesapeake" is a marvelous book in a long series of marvelous Michener books. For those that love sweeping epic novels, this is a book for you. It seems that Michener's writing style either fascinates or tries the patience of his readers. Michener goes into great detail in explaining the lives of his characters and some readers are impatient with his extensive prose and are apt to put his books down before finishing them. I happen to love his writing style and appreciate the detail, as it paints vivid word pictures in my mind that I never forget. Michener is one of my favorite authors, for each of his books takes me to a particular place or culture, and it is as though I am actually viewing that culture, its people, and the land first-hand. I have learned a wealth of information about near and distant lands thanks to the writing of James A. Michener. These are places I may never have the opportunity to visit in my life, but thanks to Michener, it is as though I have been there through his writing.

I most certainly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the land and people of the Chesapeake Bay region, or to one who is a student of American history. The book is also a good read for the story alone, irrespective of the history lesson one learns coincidentally. Once you read "Chesapeake", you will have a greater appreciation for the great struggles that our forefathers and foremothers went through to bring western "civilization" to this great land. I guarantee you will always remember "Chesapeake" and its characters for the rest of your life.

I highly recommend this book!

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

Although it is the largest book I've read, it was one of the best! I would've finished it alot sooner, had I more time. I enjoyed learning about the struggles of the Paxmores the Steeds, the Turlocks, and most of all, the Native Americans. when I was reading it, my U.S. history class was learning the same information, and my teacher was amazed I knew so much! I also read the book for a book report, and my teacher was amazed I picked the book, as opposed to the shorter, Catcher in The Rye-like books we've been reading. Never have I learned this much history from one book, and actually kept my interest in it! I went to the Chesapeake Bay when I was little, and remembered the atmosphere that I had forgotten, almost immediately. If this is a fair example of what James Michener has written, you can count me in as a regular James reader.

When I was first given Chesapeake, I thought that it would be boring. Who could cover 400 years of history and not be boring? I was so wrong! I love this book and can not wait to read it again. I became so involved with all of the families, that when someone grew old and died, I mourned their death! This author's insight into people and animals is amazing! I loved the chapter on the geese and how they were outsmarting the Turlocks! My appreciation for history has increased, as well as my vocabulary. Michener describes the scenes in the book so vividly that you feel like you are there. Do not be intimiated by the size of the book, I wish that it was longer. I is wonderful! You will not be disappointed!

I'd previously read Alaska by Michener and enjoyed in immensely. As a local resident of the Chesapeake Bay, I really enjoyed Michener's unparalleled chronicle of it's history told through such compelling characters. At the risk of sounding offensive to some however, I was surprised at the proportion of the book focused on slavery and Quakerism. Michener does a great job capturing the wrong of slavery, and likewise on aspects of Quakerism, but fully 75 percent or so of the book seems primarily focused on these two subjects. I would have enjoyed a more balanced view of the many other subjects that suffered such as Native American history, two wars with the British, economic development, etc.

It has a storyline rich in details of Chesapeake life. The true main characters are the bay itself, the Choptank River, and the fictional Devon island.

Ironies abound throughout the book. The poor Turlocks achieve respectability after nearly 350 years of swamp life and inbreeding (though Michener never really develops this transition). The proud Paxmores ultimately disgrace themselves, and the Steeds lose their mansion to the bay. My favorite irony involves the Indian Pentaquod and Devon Island. Devon was Pentaquod's first refuge, and at face value it provided all he needed. However, after one storm he witnessed irreversible erosion and quit the island. The Steeds later experience the same sense of fulfillment and remain. Eventually the bay reclaims the island.

Unfortunately, Michener's historical narrative misses many key events. The "starving time" of Jamestown is neglected, as are the Indian raids of 1622 and 1644. In 1718, Maryland disenfranchised Catholics, this is never mentioned. Perhaps due to Michener's Quakerism, all major wars are either minimally discussed or neglected altogether. But these are relatively minor disturbances. As a history major, I choose not to learn my history from fiction; fiction is "light reading."

Michener uses this book to debate past and (1978) present issues, offering the reader an insight to his political viewpoints from slavery to Watergate.

Finally, the last paragraph in the book tied the entire work together in that the reader feels a sense of loss similar to what the characters must have felt..

I wasn't sure where Chesapeake Bay was when I started this book. I knew it was somewhere on the east coast but didn't realize it was so geographically big. I also didn't realize so many of the big cities that I've heard of is located on or near the Chesapeake Bay. So for me this made the book quite interesting. Once again with Micheners characteristic trademark, he starts the earliest Indians. It was interesting to read that while some Indians were violent some were passive. This makes sense; it would be really hard to generalize about such a big population. Some may find the beginning of Micheners epics slow; certainly this book is no exception. But what I really like is how the last third of the book will some how reference an event or character from the previous part. The pirate aspect of the Chesapeake is interesting; but what captivates is the civil war and the statues of African Americans. We tend to forget at one time that even good people had misconceptions. Much like the Afrikaners in Micheners "The Covenant," I liked these hard working white people; I just didn't like their attitude or treatments of Blacks. The introduction of the Quakers was a bonus for me , as I am unfamiliar with there practices and beliefs. It was also an ironic twist that Michener included a Watergate plot near the end this really brought it into the modern times. So from the earliest Indians to Watergate this book should not fail to interest every reader.

People from the western shore sneer and ignore me if I say I'm from the Eastern Shore. I'm not really from there--just spent a number of years there. Doesn't matter. They're just jealous that western shore isn't capitalized and that somebody unique and fascinating like James Michener never wrote a book about where they live--ha! If you're lucky enough to have ties or just a handful of memories about Maryland's Eastern Shore, then you'll find this book absolutely enthralling. From the mighty warrior who became the unlikely leader of a small band of Indians later known as the gentle Choptanks to a handful of diverse European families who shaped the bountiful wilderness into the comfortably proud land it is today, Michener's book is alive with strong women, stubborn men, the crafty and the vile, the shamefully wrong and the helplessly righteous. Don't let the size of the book scare you--it's a fast read full of laughs and wonder, historically altered, yet accurate to the times and places in so many ways. A rare book describing the growth of a portion of our mighty country including the trials and tribulations of the Native Americans and the never ending struggles of the Africans brought over as slaves. He glosses through the Civil War, but I think the book might've been twice as long had he written much more about it. For everyone who's stalked the marshes and seen the skipjacks gallantly skim by, from the poor farm boy to the community-building rich--Michener's toast to you. As treasured as the Bay herself.

I'm a Michener fan, but this is the best of the best in my humble opinion.

As I write this, I'm waiting for a confirmation of my reservation to spend a long weekend in Cambridge MD and take a couple of days exploring the Choptank and surrounding area.

We vacation several times a year on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michael's, Havre de Grace and the general Chesapeake area, so I'm somehwat familiar with the area. As a young adult, I first read the book when it was first introduced in the 70's. Now I'm retired, I just read it again to re-discover the fascinating stories and appreciation for the history behind them.

As a northern Pennsylvanian, I loved the chapter about the character who follows the Susquehanna River to its point of origin in upper New York state. That chapter touched very close to my home.

As others have said, don't let the size intimidate you. I've completely immersed myself in this wonderful combination of fiction and fact, including reading the book with two maps beside me and frequent visits online to gather even more details of significant events.

Now I can't wait 'til Spring thaw to take my trip back into time... I want to know more... I need to know more!

CHESAPEAKE centers on the Chesapeake Bay, particularly the Maryland portion and spans the years 1583 to 1978 resulting in a novel of the epic style that Michener does so well.

As the story follows the various residents of the Bay regions, the Indian tribes that were present when the first colonists arrived, the various colonists and settlers and their descendents to the 'present day' (when the novel was published). Michener tells his story of the region by following a few families ranging from the English Catholic gentry and indentured servants who originally settled the area, the Quakers and blacks who came later, followed by the Irish. As the various stories of these families is told the history of the region is also revealed from the struggling early colonies, through the lavish days of the plantations and into the present day.

This is a true epic - 1083 pages in length - and is divided into 14 voyages spread out over the years and includes more than enough material to write a series of a dozen books. This is not a quick read to finish in a few hours. This one will consume a week or more but is well worth the time. The characters are compelling, the situations they find themselves in are interesting and well written. As always Michener has done his research about the area and times quite thoroughly.

The more Michener I read the more I want to read. CHESAPEAKE is one of Michener's best. Following four established families from the beginning of American colonization and into the 70's, JM provides many perspectives into the Maryland's eastern shore. The primary families are made up of boat builders, plantation owners, watermen, and a black family beginning with a kidnapped slave. Fascinating stuff.

JM begins with the degeneration of the indigenous Indians and shows how colonization was destined to dominate less industrialized populations. The Indians didn't stand a chance. Usually, Michener is light on the characterization, but I would say he milked the characters to the bone with this one. Just keep in mind, the story is about the development and socialization of the region, not so much the individual characters. Though these characters are not given short shrift by any means.

I had always heard CHESAPEAKE was one of JM's best works, but at this point I would say I liked TEXAS and then CENTENNIAL better. Great stuff here. I hope to read all of Michener's novels.