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Chesapeake Hardcover – June 12, 1978

by James A. Michener (Author)

4.5 4,507 ratings

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The central scene of Michener's historical novel is that section of Maryland's Eastern shore, hardly more than 10 miles square. To this point come the founders of families that will dominate the story.

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Popular Highlights in this book

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This is how everything begins—the mountains, the oceans, life itself. A slow accumulation—the gathering together of meaning.
Highlighted by 189 Kindle readers
A human being, to live a meaningful life, was required to bear testimony; in prayer, in the husbandry of the home, in the conduct of public life, a man or woman must at critical moments testify publicly as to fundamental beliefs.
Highlighted by 156 Kindle readers
At the Quarterly Meeting in December 1777 the Quakers of the Choptank became the first important religious group in the south to outlaw slavery among its members.
Highlighted by 150 Kindle readers

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scene of Michener's historical novel is that section of Maryland's Eastern shore, hardly more than 10 miles square. To this point come the founders of families that will dominate the story.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; 2nd edition (June 12, 1978)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 865 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0394500792
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0394500799
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.5 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.75 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #125,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,380 in Family Saga Fiction
- #13,376 in Historical Fiction (Books)
- #16,367 in Action & Adventure Fiction (Books)

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4.5 4,507 ratings

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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.

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Nurse Shark

a great epic read of a unique part of America

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024

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I grew up vacationing on the Chesapeake and went to college on the Eastern Shore, but never truly knew the history. I have a new love for the land where I spent my early life.

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Jay Veloso Batista

Marvelous sweeping story of the Bay

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023

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James Michener was a quintessential American author, able to gather the sweep of centuries into an interesting and compelling tale. This book spans from indigenous natives as they are inevitably overrun by colonists, to the challenges of the first settlers, to the contentious religious heritage of Maryland, to the growth of the plantations, piracy and slavery, all told through the generations of the families that made the Chesapeake home. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book: In praise of the peninsula which I call home: “The Chesapeake Bay is like a beautiful woman. There’s no humiliation from which she cannot recover.”

On a well lived life: “A human being, to live a meaningful life, was required to bear testimony; in prayer, in the husbandry of the home, in the conduct of public life, a man or woman must at critical moments testify publicly as to fundamental beliefs.”

On strength against adversity: “A ship, like a human being, moves best when it is slightly athwart the wind, when it has to keep its sails tight and attend its course. What is needed is a wind slightly opposed to the ship, for then tension can be maintained, and juices can flow and ideas can germinate, for ships, like men, respond to challenge.”

And he doesn’t only praise his characters… his humor shows through this work as well: “They were deficient in education. They’d gone to those chrome-and-mirror schools where procedures are taught, not principles. I doubt if any one of them had ever contemplated a real moral problem, in the abstract where character is formed.” And when describing a local pamphlet: “Its merit did not lie in its literary style, which stressed cuteness and a blizzard of exclamation points.”

I live here—he captured the spirit and the essence. Highly recommended.

10 people found this helpful

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Frank Donnelly

A Very Well Written, Lengthy Historical Fiction About The Area Around Chesapeake Bay

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2021

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“Chesapeake” is yet another really well written, sprawling historical fiction authored by James Michener. The novel was published in the 1970s and represents life around Chesapeake Bay from the 16th century up until the 1970s. In structure it is similar to other James Michener novels that I have previously read, most notably “Hawaii” and “Centennial”. I liked this novel very much, although I slightly preferred the other two mentioned novels.

I have been studying James Michener as an author and reading his fiction in the order of publication. His work is very readable. Although fiction, Mister Michener clearly does a lot of research and one can learn a great deal about history by reading and studying his novels.

Having studied Mister Michener I am quite positive that he is a strong advocate of civil rights. The reason I mention this is that this novel includes a substantial narrative about slavery and civil rights. Racial nomenclature that a reader could find offensive appears many times in this novel. Due to context, I was not offended but speaking for myself, there was a significant “cringe factor” that diminished my reading enjoyment. As a parent I would allow high school aged children to read this novel, but would insist unpin close parental guidance and discussion.

In summary, I very much liked this novel. I place it near, but not at the top of James Michener novels that I have thus far read. My favorite Michener novels thus far are “Hawaii”, “Centennial”, and “Caravans”. Thank You for taking the time to read this review.

12 people found this helpful

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Dan

Great storytelling

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024

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This book is one entertaining story after another. I learned a lot of things about the Chesapeake Bay and enjoy doing it.

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023

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In his usual inimitable fashion, James A. Mitchener draws the reader into the world of the beautiful, sprawling Chesapeake Estuary and its tumultuous history. He presents an odyssey spanning some four centuries, encompassing Indian tribesmen, European settlers, African slaves and freedmen, expert sailors, pirates, migrating geese from Canada, molting crabs, and stately blue herons. An entertaining and enjoyable learning experience.

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Tim Faust

Disappointed with Product Condition

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024

Verified Purchase

When I ordered this book, I selected "new" in regards to the type that I wanted. When I received the package, I was disappointed to see I had been sent a "used" book. The cover was tattered and it had clearly been owned before.

I paid an additional amount for the item to be new and received something less. When I order something online, I expect to receive what I requested.

One person found this helpful

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William Moore

This generation's conscience

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024

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An epic contest between good and evil with evil usually dominant. What motivates mankind? Racism, bigotry, self-interest prevail. Will love ever prevail?

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Amazon Customer

Authors like Michener are a rare breed. Enjoy while you can!

Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2021

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This is my fourth read of Chesapeake over a span of 30 years and I can't understand why I am so excited.
It seems that there are new things all the time almost like he rewrote it for me. Any time I can read
Michener I feel very lucky indeed

Kevin Dallyn

A must read , like all Micheners books

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

Must be the best narrative about this part of the world. Read it years ago, and saw it on offer- best 99p I’ve spent this month.

Jhony Horton

迅速に配達されました。

Reviewed in Japan on February 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

俗にいうペーパーバック版の1.5倍の幅広本でしたが、1,000ページを超える大冊なので致し方ないと思いました。

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Ursula S.

Mehr davon bitte

Reviewed in Germany on November 14, 2013

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James A. Michener's Bücher stecken voller Informationen über die Menschheitsgeschichte in vielen unterschiedlichen Regionen dieser Erde, für mich immer spannend zu lesen, wenn auch nicht gerade leichte Kost. Ich habe ihn immer bewundert und mich bis zu seinem Tod über jede seiner stets umfangreichen Neuerscheinungen gefreut. Schön, dass seine wunderbaren Romane nun wohl doch als Ebooks herausgegeben werden. Ich habe schon früher danach gesucht und keine gefunden. Jetzt warte ich gern auf mehr.

3 people found this helpful

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Dave Hull

A wonderful read

Reviewed in Canada on October 11, 2021

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This novel captures the land, peoples and their culture in a wonderful storey teller way. The story is long, as it has o be, but so richly rewarding.

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