Chesapeake: A Novel

very interesting presentation of the growth of this area of the US from the earliest times up thru mid 1900's. History of events thru the various classes of familys and their perspective: natives, plantation owners, slaves, watermen, quakeres and middles class.

As usual, Michener mixes a lot of history within his novels. The background and history of the Chesapeake Choptank area is fascinating. I am not quite finished reading but it has kept me up too late on several nights.

Enjoyed the historical and political background to the story and references to real historical people with insight into their lives. The scientific information written in an educational and entertaining manner was intriguing. Who knew that geese and oysters had such interesting lives! Reading about the Chesapeake area drew me to the atlas several times.

All of Michener's books are wonderful fictionalized history and geopraphy lessons. Michener obviously researches his topics with great effort and attention to detail. Alaska and Hawaii are worthwhile reads as well. The Source is the best history of the major religions, especially Judaism, I have ever read.

Chesapeake starts in the late 1500's describing the local indian tribes and geography. Gets into the creation of the tobacco plantations, the cause and effects of the various wars such a the Revolutionary War, Pirate Wars, War of 1812, Civil War, etc. Read it!

...a very well written book, as all Michener historical novels are. You feel like you're in the narritive and know all of the people. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all of the names, as he tracks families through generations, but the book is excellent. I'm going to read others.

Fascinating, Great, not enough adjective to describe it. This is a very long novel that starts with the American Indians in that part of pre-America and proceeds up to the late 1970's. This is a great read for history buffs or any other who likes a great story line. When it finishes you wish it could still go on.

As natives of Maryland, my husband and I read this book years ago and loved it. We purchased this copy for our adult daughter. Anyone who grew up in Maryland knows how integral the Chesapeake Bay is to the state. This book not only gives a vivid account of the many and various peoples who settled the shores of the Bay, but perhaps more importantly, it helps you to understand the precious and fragile ecosystem of this unique body of water. I doubt I will ever sit down to a table full of steamed crabs or fried oysters again without thinking how blessed we are and how much we need to care for this Chesapeake. An important book. Thank you Mr. Michener.

Epic read.. intertwining a span of centuries with stories that show the readers glimpses of the dedication and hardship familys on many levels.
Truthful American history relieved in a way few of us were taught in school!!!!

James A. Michener is one of the greatest story tellers. Chesapeake is a novel full of life and history, and hopefully will leave the reader with a better understanding of the spirit of the peolle who built the United States of America.

Several people have written excellent reviews of this book and I will endeavor not to rehash them. Right off the bat I'll tell you something which was extremely exciting for me. I purchased the kindle edition and it is one of only three kindle books I've purchased that had no "typos" (for lack of a better word). The other two were the King James version of the Bible and the Amplified Bible. Virtually all of the hundreds of titles I've bought were chock full of errors for example "rn" often appears throughout a kindle book as "m" and vice versa and that's just one of many such blemishes in the vast majority of kindle titles. I love reading so much and enjoy the convenience of being able to carry an extensive library around with ease that I overlook that excessively large and unattractive wart on the e-book's otherwise lovely countenance. There are two reasons why I gave Chesapeake only four stars. I believe the author had a very decided, if subtle in this book, anti-christian bias. He was still an excellent story teller and I love his books. The biggest detractor for me was the ridiculous narrative about Onk'or the Canadian goose. Anthropomorphism is a wonderful device in a fable, bedtime story, nursery rhyme or fairy tale, but subtracts from a serious story like this one.
I noticed one reviewer takes the author to task for his seemingly narrow focus on Quakers and slavery when there is so much more to the history of the region. I would point out that Michener was not writing a History of the Chesapeake bay region (which would fill a monstrous tome or more likely several volumes), but rather a historical fiction. I'm sure many good and indeed great books have been published that relay the history of the region.
I heartily recommend this book and will be forever grateful for proof that ebooks can be error free if someone only cares enough to put the effort into making them so.
I also recommend The Covenant, Alaska and Hawaii. The only Michener book I've detested was The Source.

This was listed as used..acceptable. It had been read before and that's exactly what I had expected for the price. Our home burned and I lost my Michener books. He's one of my favorite authors and I was very glad to be able to purchase this for my new collection. .Michener's writing is so detailed, I feel as if I'm in the places I read about.

This was actually my first Michener read, after I moved to Virginia. It opened my eyes to 'where I was now residing' in great ways, and inspired me to then work my way through everything he wrote throughout the years. He's one of my top favorite authors.

Another excellent book. I feel so much more informed about the numerous atrocities against Native Americans, the arrival of European settlers and the horrifying plight of Africans forced into the slave trade (not to mention numerous other facts about the early formation of our country).
Michener is an astounding author and I highly recommend!

While I live two states away, this was a fascinating read from the Indians who made their homes along the rivers, up to modern times, following two families. . One who lived in a mansion and another who lived in the swamp. Stories of pirates, fishing, shipping, love and politics. This had it all, much like his Hawaii. I would recommend.

0 Stars Bad
1 Star * Not Bad
2 Stars ** OK
3 Stars *** Good
4 Stars **** Very Good
5 Stars ***** Great

Any Star is worth a read. The more Stars, the more enjoyment you will have.

Historically, the author presented his view of the early settlers in this bleak, isolated part of the Chesapeake Bay reached by small and later large ships of war by friendly and enemy countries, as well as pirates. The many raid episodes were presented in detail by the author. As usual, Michener managed to include very interesting tales of the migrating game birds makingThe Eastern shore of Maryland, today a great sportsman hunting area.