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Centennial: A Novel Paperback – May 29, 2007

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,838 ratings

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NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Written to commemorate the Bicentennial in 1976, James A. Michener’s magnificent saga of the West
is an enthralling celebration of the frontier. Brimming with the glory of America’s past, the story of Colorado—the Centennial State—is manifested through its people: Lame Beaver, the Arapaho chieftain and warrior, and his Comanche and Pawnee enemies; Levi Zendt, fleeing with his child bride from the Amish country; the cowboy, Jim Lloyd, who falls in love with a wealthy and cultured Englishwoman, Charlotte Seccombe. In Centennial, trappers, traders, homesteaders, gold seekers, ranchers, and hunters are brought together in the dramatic conflicts that shape the destiny of the legendary West—and the entire country.
 
Praise for Centennial
 
“A hell of a book . . . While he fascinates and engrosses, Michener also educates.”
Los Angeles Times
 
“An engrossing book . . . imaginative and intricate . . . teeming with people and giving a marvelous sense of the land.”
The Plain Dealer
 
“Michener is America’s best writer, and he proves it once again in
Centennial. . . . If you’re a Michener fan, this book is a must. And if you’re not a Michener fan, Centennial will make you one.”The Pittsburgh Press

“An absorbing work . . . Michener is a superb storyteller.”
BusinessWeek
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A hell of a book . . . While he fascinates and engrosses, Michener also educates.”Los Angeles Times
 
“An engrossing book . . . imaginative and intricate . . . teeming with people and giving a marvelous sense of the land.”
The Plain Dealer
 
“Michener is America’s best writer, and he proves it once again in
Centennial. . . . If you’re a Michener fan, this book is a must. And if you’re not a Michener fan, Centennial will make you one.”The Pittsburgh Press
 
“An absorbing work . . . Michener is a superb storyteller.”
BusinessWeek

About the Author

James A. Michener was one of the world’s most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning 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. Michener served on the advisory council to NASA and the International Broadcast Board, which oversees the Voice of America. Among dozens of awards and honors, he received America’s highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1977, and an award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in 1983 for his commitment to art in America. Michener died in 1997 at the age of ninety.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House (May 29, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 1104 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0812978420
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812978421
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 1.65 x 8.27 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,838 ratings

About the author

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James A. Michener
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James Albert Michener (/ˈmɪtʃnər/; February 3, 1907 - October 16, 1997) was an American author of more than 40 books, the majority of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. Michener was known for the popularity of his works; he had numerous bestsellers and works selected for Book of the Month Club. He was also known for his meticulous research behind the books.

Michener's novels include Tales of the South Pacific for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948, Hawaii, The Drifters, Centennial, The Source, The Fires of Spring, Chesapeake, Caribbean, Caravans, Alaska, Texas and Poland. His non-fiction works include Iberia, about his travels in Spain and Portugal; his memoir titled The World Is My Home, and Sports in America. Return to Paradise combines fictional short stories with Michener's factual descriptions of the Pacific areas where they take place.

His first book was adapted as the popular Broadway musical South Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, and later as a film by the same name, adding to his financial success.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo byRobert Wilson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4,838 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate the thoughtful writing style and vivid characters. Readers value the historical accuracy and consider it a worthwhile investment. However, some feel the pacing is too slow at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

419 customers mention "Readability"398 positive21 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the characters engaging and the storytelling captivating. The book is described as a fun, well-written read that makes them want to travel. Readers praise the author, story, and physical book as great.

"In "Centennial," James A. Michener delivers an expansive and richly detailed saga that captures the essence of the American West, particularly the..." Read more

"...It was worth the wait, though, as this is one of the cleanest Kindle transfers around...." Read more

"...If you are interested in Western history, this is a fun read and I would recommend it. Unless you are a power reader, plan on it taking some time...." Read more

"...They are enjoyable but they are vast sprawling works that demand a commitment. After some months I intend to read another. Thank You..." Read more

126 customers mention "Education level"120 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's educational content. They find it informative about early Colorado, the Rockies, Buffalo, and Native Americans. The book chronicles the development of eastern Colorado through vivid characters and events. Readers appreciate the author's extensive research and writing skill. They also like reading about the topography of the land and habits of early settlers.

"...delivers an expansive and richly detailed saga that captures the essence of the American West, particularly the history and transformation of..." Read more

"...The dictionary and access to Google/Wiki for the obscure stuff is really helpful, but x-ray is practically required to keep straight all the names..." Read more

"The historical American mountain west. Backed up by facts and data. Centennial was written about a region of Central Colorado...." Read more

"...It is a thoroughly enjoyable (and informative) read, and I cannot recommend it highly enough...." Read more

102 customers mention "Writing style"92 positive10 negative

Customers find the writing style thoughtful and clear. They describe the book as a typical well-written Michener novel with numerous interwoven stories that cover over a period. The author entertains and educates through his brilliant storytelling. Readers find it easier to read online than in the physical paper book.

"...a vivid picture of the landscapes, conflicts, and human experiences that define the region. "..." Read more

"...maybe three, places, I found no distracting typos and the maps are totally readable...." Read more

"...Its a well written and well loved old friend that is worth reading again. I love the history aspect of it though it is a fivtion." Read more

"...Wonderful well written book. Thank you" Read more

43 customers mention "Character development"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters fascinating and relatable. They describe the characterizations as realistic and colorful.

"...to settlers, providing a comprehensive narrative filled with vibrant characters and historical contexts...." Read more

"...Although the book is classified as fiction, many of its characters are based on real people and a history buff will enjoy matching the characters in..." Read more

"...Believable characters coupled with classic storytelling enthralls in this weighty tome of 900 odd pages...." Read more

"Epic, as always with Michener. His characters are memorable and about the time you want to get to know them better, he moves on through history...." Read more

26 customers mention "Historical accuracy"20 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the rich historical detail in the book. They find it a timeless classic that takes them through generations.

"...In spite of reading through an immense passage of time (it does cover a geological epoch!),..." Read more

"...Whatever you most enjoy reading - mystery, adventure, romance, action, history, even science - Centennial has it all...." Read more

"The book is long. Typical of a Michener novel. It covers centuries in time in the forming of the town of Centennial, Colorado...." Read more

"...His final chapter fizzled. Modern day isn't historical but an approach to his reluctant conclusion. Boring...." Read more

21 customers mention "Value for money"18 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They find it worthwhile, despite the slow start. The middle parts are good, while the last 200 pages are terrible. Overall, they consider it an excellent primer and a low investment for what they hope is a great discussion.

"...is also sold by Amazon (Centennial: The Complete Series), and at a bargain price...." Read more

"...through the book it really started to pick up - it's worth slogging through the first quarter. The rest was fascinating, well written and absorbing...." Read more

"...It is a long book by today's standards but well worth it. Years ago there was a TV series that followed the book...." Read more

"...It was a low investment for what I hope is a great discussion of the book many years later." Read more

44 customers mention "Pacing"26 positive18 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it engaging and thought-provoking, with an interesting storyteller who makes even dry topics interesting. Others feel the book drags on and is hard to finish.

"...He places you where he’s describing and you feel so present. I love his books" Read more

"...all the characters after a while since it is so long and my reading cycles are limited...." Read more

"...Its a well written and well loved old friend that is worth reading again. I love the history aspect of it though it is a fivtion." Read more

"...When he gets into the story it is always steady and often has fast paced sections. I find his books to be impossible to put down...." Read more

41 customers mention "Length"17 positive24 negative

Customers have different views on the book's length. Some find it long and fantastic, while others find it too long and summary-heavy. The paperback size is perfect for some readers, while others mention it's too large.

"...track of the lineage of all the characters after a while since it is so long and my reading cycles are limited...." Read more

"...James Michener is justly famous for his historical novels. This is a long book and you will immerse yourself in its settings and characters...." Read more

"...and they added little to the overall story...just a long, long, long summation. Yuk." Read more

"The book is long. Typical of a Michener novel. It covers centuries in time in the forming of the town of Centennial, Colorado...." Read more

Michener was a Genius
5 out of 5 stars
Michener was a Genius
Centennial by James A. MichenerBook Review by Christine CalabreseThere are good writers, great writers and genius writers.Michener was a genius.During the mid 1980’s, I discovered and fell in love with the works of James A. Michener. His books are long, often close to 1000 pages, detailed, a fascinating mix of history and novel fiction interpretation. Flow of language, well-placed vocabulary and romantic intrigue drew me into the Michener world of historical fiction.After I read Chesapeake, though, I endeavored to read his other novels and somehow lost interest. Perhaps distractions of everyday life and the expectation of another Chesapeake left me longing.Fast forward years ahead and I’ve been again taken by this wonderful author in Centennial. I found this book at a thrift store and exclaimed, “Michener!” embracing it as one would an old, forgotten friend.Centennial did not disappoint. The story begins before man roamed the earth in a fictional location in Colorado. The reader follows dinosaurs, animals and man through this part of America. Once man reaches the story the reader glimpses into generations of families as they intertwine in the history of place and time. This writer essentially develops historical interest by using historical fiction to capture the imagination and mind. Interestingly, though fiction, the author researched facts that weave in and out of this story, adding to its intrigue and suspense.Centennial is a page turner, a replacement of screen time. The reader can expect to be encapsulated in a warm, cozy cocoon, while this social media, news infused world bustles about.If you live anywhere near Colorado, you will most likely enjoy this book.As for me, I’m off to Poland with Michener next.Cheers! Happy reading!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    In "Centennial," James A. Michener delivers an expansive and richly detailed saga that captures the essence of the American West, particularly the history and transformation of Colorado. Through the interwoven lives of characters like Lame Beaver, the Arapaho chieftain, and Levi Zendt, a homesteader seeking a new life, Michener brings to life the diverse cultures and struggles that shaped the frontier.

    The novel celebrates the triumphs and trials of various groups, from Native Americans to settlers, providing a comprehensive narrative filled with vibrant characters and historical contexts. Michener's storytelling mastery shines as he paints a vivid picture of the landscapes, conflicts, and human experiences that define the region. "Centennial" not only serves as a celebration of America's past but also as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between cultures and the enduring spirit of the wild West.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2014
    I was so glad to see this book come out for Kindle at long last! It was worth the wait, though, as this is one of the cleanest Kindle transfers around. With the exception of "but" in place of "hut" in two, maybe three, places, I found no distracting typos and the maps are totally readable.

    That said, this is why I've been reading it since I was a teenager: <i>Centennial</i>, as the story of one fairly small bit of landscape, is the story of America in microcosm, from the hardening of the Earth's crust to about 1974. Having been published not long after, some of the science is outdated so I don't read the Earth formation part anymore. For me, the book gets good when it becomes about living things.

    The introduction of diplodocus begins the history of life in Centennial Colorado, and by the time that pea-brained Fred Flintstone crane of an animal gives way to the insufficiently attractive beaver who has to take a lazy mate, damn it, I've grown to really care about her troubles in the swamps. But then I care about the beaver's troubles, too, and after her the horse and the buffalo and the French-Canadian trappers and the Native Americans, and everyone who comes after. Everyone reaches Centennial in a different way (even the Natives, who roamed across the land and were only much later confined to a small portion near the town), for a different reason, only to find their lives hopelessly intertwined and their families hopelessly intermarried. Mostly it turns out okay.

    A small warning, though. A story that covers three hundred years of people and families is, naturally, going to involved a lot of death. That's not a spoiler, that's common sense. But we get to live with them so long and know them so intimately, it's gut-wrenching to lose characters that seem like friends over and over. And that's not even considering what the soldiers did to the Natives. That's pretty graphic--more graphic than I've ever heard our government accused of--but Michener is careful not to glorify it or make heroes of anyone involved.

    There was a time, after having read it four or five times already, when I thought it was too sad to ever read again. Fortunately that seems to have been a phase. I enjoyed this reading all the more for the long break and look forward to reading it again.

    Little Tip: If you're considering reading <i>Centennial</i> for the first time and have the option, I'd recommend the Kindle version just for the x-ray feature alone. The dictionary and access to Google/Wiki for the obscure stuff is really helpful, but x-ray is practically required to keep straight all the names and relationships through the decades and centuries.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
    I remember my dad had this book on the back of the toilet for years in the 80's. It took him a long time to make headway with that being his only chance to read. And it is a long book. It definitely held my attention throughout. Caveats to that - I am very interested in the history of the West, being a native to Southern California. The story telling makes the history come alive, to be sure. I used Amazon's whisper synch and jumped back and forth between listening while walking the dog and driving and reading when I could. The whisper synch is a little buggy, but I do love it and wish Amazon would offer more titles with that nifty feature. The actor in the reading on Audible was appropriately low key - almost like a professor reading a history test. At first that concerned me, but it worked well for this book. It wasn't distracting as some over-actors on Audible can be. If you are interested in Western history, this is a fun read and I would recommend it. Unless you are a power reader, plan on it taking some time. I lost track of the lineage of all the characters after a while since it is so long and my reading cycles are limited. But I'm not sure how you could cover such a vast subject with good engagement and story lines better. And that said - I am just assuming the stories are relatively true to the times they represent - I'm not enough of a history buff to do fact checking.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • lyntrom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed history told through personal stories
    Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2021
    Michener's books always provide an in-depth, well researched history of the area of focus, in this case, Centennial Colorado. I found the pre-historic segment slow but once the story involved his fictitious characters, it was engaging and drew you into the history of the times. It was told from many different perspectives, Indian tribes, settlers, British land investors and more recent generations of all of these people. I learned a great deal in the process as it brought the history to life through their personal tales set. It's a very long detailed book but worth the time.
  • Monika Harmelink
    5.0 out of 5 stars centennial
    Reviewed in Germany on February 11, 2023
    Mitcheners bombenfeste Vorstudien
  • alessandra bonino
    2.0 out of 5 stars condizioni del libro
    Reviewed in Italy on April 8, 2022
    ho comprato questo libro, che è indicato come nuovo, in realtà la copertina non è perfetta come dovrebbe essere un libro nuovo. il prezzo certamente è da libro nuovo, più di 20 Euro. Lo tengo lostesso perchè mi serve subito.
  • PY
    5.0 out of 5 stars Es un gran ejemplo de cómo escribir una novela no de ficción
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 11, 2018
    Extraordinaria experiencia con personajes entrañables
  • Kukui Pachuau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Feels like a true story
    Reviewed in India on August 28, 2019
    If someone had told me that this was a true story (excluding the bits only about the animals) that this was based on a true story I would've totally believed them. Fascinating storytelling .