Caribbean

Rating:
Summary: A Bit Disappointing
Review: This book started out very strong, but about half way through it seeemed to skip around a bit. I really liked the first part because of the history of the Spanish Main, pirates and swashbucklers and big battles at sea. That is my bias. I love stories about the sea and especially from the seventeen hundreds. But as the time in the story got closer to the twentieth century I found the book skipped around quite a bit. It did touch on the various islands and gave background on each but I searched for and didn't find that common thread that is usually so apparent in Michener's books. In spite of that I would recommed this book. It is totally fascinating when you consider the history in this tranquil but tumultous place.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone interested in the Caribbean
Review: This book was a good overall 'history' of the Caribbean. It was interesting to see the progression through the ages, and the masterful job Mr. Michener did weaving all the stories together. My only disappointment was that I did not get enough on Trinidad; what can I say? I'm a Trini. I got the book from the library now I'm buying it.

Rating:
Summary: very interesting
Review: This book was Michener at his best. Sure, a few chapters were kind of boring but what else do you expect of an 800 page book. My favorite chapter was the scholar, near the endof the book about the hindu from Trinidad, Ranjit Banarjee. He was a student who went to the University of Miami and desperately tried to stay in the country after he got his phd. He eventually got caught up in a fraudulent marriage scam. The chapter Buccanears, about pirates was also good, and so was the stuff about Sir Francis Drake.

Rating:
Summary: Caribbean
Review: This is the best book I have read on the Carribbean. The blend of fiction and history is very entertaining

Rating:
Summary: Modern Art
Review: This novel started off very strong; also with strong expectations after just completeting the "Chesapeak" in just a week since it was so gripping and enthralling. The Caribbean was weaker, seamed to jump around. At one point in the book it was at a very interesting segment in which Michener spoke of the Spanish main and indeed very interesting. Although when I was very cought up in this chapter all of a sudden a new chapter with a totally new subject matter began. This book is seems to be an anthology of Michener short stories with the only common denominator being the Caribbean. A fine book, although not as good as his others. If they had a three and a half star rating I would award it that.

Rating:
Summary: Euro-centric rather than Caribbean-centric, but a good read
Review: This was an interesting blend of fact and fiction, and it was different so I recommend it. However, I am from the Caribbean, have lived in 4 Caribbean countries, and know the historical, cultural and social events that make these islands who they are. The author did not catch the pulse of the Caribbean - although it was a well-researched effort. I give hime credit for exploring the sugar cane industry and cricket, 2 very important aspects of Caribbean history and culture. However, the movement towards independence was completely ignored - a crucial period in the islands' history. The attempts at Caribbean unification, and all the political intrigue behind it was slightly touched upon, but largely ignored - another major issue. But most importantly, the black majority population was largely ignored or portrayed as victims - unless they happened to have mixed ancestry. This is such a false portrayal of the Caribbean, where a large black middle and upper class exists and has existed for a very long time. I give it 3 stars because despite these defects it was well researched - maybe the best portrayal possible that an american outsider could possibly provide.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good Writing, Dry and Boring Book
Review: Though I do not doubt Michener's writing capabilities, I find that as I continue to trudge through this so called historical novel, two stars is as much as I can give this book without doubting my own taste of literature. Having recently read amazing works of historical fiction such as: THE BRUCE TRILOGY, by Nigel Tranter, and ALEXANDER, by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, CARIBBEAN simply does not compete. While the writing can be quite descriptive, any attempts at making the plot remotely interesting fall short. Just as soon as the reader begins to get interested in the storyline, the chapter ends and within the turn of a page you find yourself at least a hundred years into the future, with yet another dull plot. In terms of historical accuracy, the book follows the timeline of events in a satisfactory way, yet the chapters, which are essentially short stories, tend to focus on the lives and troubles of fictional characters. It seems that the book is more like a chore than an enjoyable novel, and attempts at romance and battle description are almost laughable. Characters react to events in predictable ways. Influencial thought is absent. Accurate only half the time. What am I reading? This book is a waste of a tree! It is boring and history is followed in a jagged line. Have I said enough? If you are currently reading this book I advise tou to spare yourself. If you are looking for a top quality novel, historical or not,or a book with at least a limited amount of inspiration try one of the following, where exciting plot is evident, to say the least: DON QUIXOTE, by Miguel de Cervantes, TIDES OF WAR, by Steven Pressfield, THE WALLACE, by Nigel Tranter, THE BRUCE TRILOGY, by Nigel Tranter, ALEXANDER, by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, By J.R.R. Tolkien, THE CHARTERHOUSE OF PARMA, by Stendahl, and many more, which I have yet to read, which are most likely better than the one I have thankfully stopped wasting my time with.

Rating:
Summary: Atypical Caribbean
Review: When Michener wrote this book he must have discovered his Carribbean roots.The book has neither rhyme nor reason to it.It is also typical of this authors method of writing.Being of caribbean origin I was able to relate to the people and places in this story.The book is a good mix of truth and fiction and a execelent read.In the past I have read other of his books,the source, caravans and paradise lost but although I enjoyed them I was sort of lost.After reading this one the light went on.A real shame he is gone,I think he was the greatest story teller of our time.