Chesapeake

Rating:
Summary: Historical fiction overview of families of Eastern Shore, MD
Review: This is my favorite of all the Michener "formula" books. I evidently like his formula because I loved them all, but Chesapeake is the one which covered the settling of Maryland's eastern shore from prehistory until the Nixon years. It really gives a different look on the current White House troubles to compare them to the Nixon years! The strong female characters make this book one which all women should enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating story about the Chesapeake
Review: This is the first book by Michener that I have read. Having lived in Maryland for 6 years now I was interested in the history of the Chesapeake so I chose his book to better educate myself. Michener did a wonderful job combining history and fiction into a story spanning centuries of life on the Eastern Shore. His description of nature, the land and the bay are so inspiring that I have vowed to spend more time there. I became very involved with all three families. The development of some characters were better than others but when covering such a great length of time it did not bother me. I felt he developed the character of each of the families over time wonderfully. More importantly I learned a great deal about the Chesapeake and Eastern Shore which has given me a new appreciation of the area. I would have given the book 5 stars but there was one drawback for me. I was disappointed that Michener brought his somewhat liberal political views on slavery and Watergate into the story. It was so glaringly obvious and I felt they did not belong in the story. I wish he had not used his book as a vehicle for this but it certainly didn't prevent me from enjoying it. He also neglected to talk about the wild ponies on Assateague Island which I think are an enormous appeal to the history of the area. Oh well, he covered everything else! All in all a fabulous and intriguing read.

Rating:
Summary: One of his best
Review: Two books I've recently read and love, though they have NOTHING to do with one another and are total opposites, are, CHESEAPEAKE and the short story collection that knocked my socks off titled CHILDREN'S CORNER by Jackson McCrae. I've just put our boat on the Eastern Shore and finally got around to reading the Mitchner (why did I wait so long?). It is a outstanding story about our beginnings presented in story form. The way Michner introduces his characters keeps you involved and interested throughout 900 pages.

Rating:
Summary: Introduced me to my own state...wish I read it 25 years ago!
Review: What a treasure chest of history! 400 years of vibrant characters, marvelous stories, important history revealed in a tremendously enjoyable and readable fashion. I grew up in Maryland and never had an appreciation for the rich history right in my own backyard until I read this book. I've always dismissed the Eastern Shore as a place you have to drive through to get to Ocean City. Never more! Since reading this book, we've traveled across the Bay Bridge to poke around the areas Michener writes of. Many more trips will be needed. If you live in Maryland, or anywhere near the Chesapeake, you need to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Introduced me to my own state...wish I read it 25 years ago!
Review: What a treasure chest of history! 400 years of vibrant characters, marvelous stories, important history revealed in a tremendously enjoyable and readable fashion. I grew up in Maryland and never had an appreciation for the rich history right in my own backyard until I read this book. I've always dismissed the Eastern Shore as a place you have to drive through to get to Ocean City. Never more! Since reading this book, we've traveled across the Bay Bridge to poke around the areas Michener writes of. Many more trips will be needed. If you live in Maryland, or anywhere near the Chesapeake, you need to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: This book is excellent! You must read it!
Review: 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!