The World Is My Home: A Memoir

Rating:
Summary: uplifting; thought provoking
Review: Equally entertaining to Michener devotees and casual readers alike. Although often accredited as America's "master story teller", not much is known about this orphan from humble beginnings. Michener weaves a captivating story of his youth followed by his WWII years in the U.S. Navy, which of course brought us "Tales of the South Pacific". He then relates real down to earth experiences as a would-be writer seemingly trapped as editor. Through it all his humbleness is refreshing. His appreciation and respect for the arts and culture is most noteworthy and no doubt will have many readers running to the nearest record store well stocked in opera and classical music. He relates as only he can the various stimuli involved in the undertaking of his later massive works, many accomplished well past the age of 60. If nothing else, upon finishing this remarkable auto-biography, the reader will have an immense respect for the writer and a stirring curiosity to explore his many works and indeed, the several fine pieces of literature that influenced him.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for would-be writers
Review: James Michener's memoirs are interesting. They're the usual mixed bag of America's greatest "non-novelist" -- or whatever term best describes this writer. I consider him a master of narrative (slightly different from story-telling.) Michener himself admits that he totally lacks "the dramatic flair," which is what you need to create compelling characters and storylines. Yet he protests that his characters are not cardboard. Be that as it may: some thirty huge novels and not one memorable character in the lot. I think he's more of a narrator, a guy who writes fictionalized history books.

Now, leaving all that aside, this book is a gold-mine for anyone who is seriously considering a career as a writer. Michener worked as a N.Y. editor during the first half of his life, and wrote tons of books during the second half. He's seen it all, and knows it all, and he's here to tell you the most important thing you will ever hear about writing: "There's no reliable money in this business." Even though Michener himself was a huge exception, making millions and giving it all away, he's seen enough of writing and writers to know the facts.

Read this book and learn. Michener made himself independently wealthy BEFORE he decided to begin writing. He apparently did it out of his "South Pacific" royalties (a huge piece of good luck) and a brief career as a lecturer. But he NEVER expected to be earning good money as a writer. He didn't write for the money. He wrote books that he thought other people would like to read. Period. That's it.

There is a lot of nitty-gritty in this book: the physical business of writing, pasting pages together, endless revising. If you're considering this career, you must get this book. I think it outclasses everything else on the market, if only because it's flat honest and deadly accurate.

One thing to ask yourself. Michener talks at one point about his writing students. How many of them want to WRITE, he wonders. How many actually want to sit down at a desk eight hours a day and write? It's a lonely day, after all. And, then again, how many of the students want to HAVE WRITTEN, to suddenly be a published author, wallowing in fame and status?

I ask myself the same question when I teach English at Chiang Mai University: how many students actually want to LEARN English, and how many just want a high grade.

Michener can be dull, and he can be irritating, but this is the best book I know of for would-be writers.

Highest possible recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Ambassador
Review: When the extraterrestials finally touch down and exit their spaceship I hope we have a man like James Michener, an "average" brilliant man of great wisdom and wonderful humanity, to represent our species. He would no doubt climb aboard, ingratiate himself with his new found friends, and write a highly entertaining epic of our galaxy.
Michener has always been my personal favorite. His humanity shines through in his stories.