Texas

By James A. Michener

Book Overview

Spanning four and a half centuries, James A. Michener's monumental saga chronicles the epic history of Texas, from its Spanish roots in the age of the conquistadors to its current reputation as one of America's most affluent, diverse, and provocative states. Among his finely drawn cast of characters, emotional and political alliances are made and broken, as the loyalties established over the course of each turbulent age inevitably collapse under the weight of wealth and industry. With Michener as our guide, Texas is a tale of patriotism and statesmanship, growth and development, violence and betrayal--a stunning achievement by a literary master. Praise for Texas "Fascinating." -- Time "A book about oil and water, rangers and outlaws, frontier and settlement, money and power . . . [James A. Michener] manages to make history vivid." -- The Boston Globe "A sweeping panorama . . . [Michener] grapples earnestly with the Texas character in a way that Texas's own writers often don't." -- The Washington Post Book World "Vast, sprawling, and eclectic in population and geography, the state has just the sort of larger-than-life history that lends itself to Mr. Michener's taste for multigenerational epics." -- The New York Times

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375761411
• ISBN13: 9780375761416
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Dial Press
• Length: 1472 Pages
• Weight: 1.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

memorable

The man makes history and the people of the time come to life. It's a mind trip , as we used to say in the 70s

AS GREAT AS THE STATE

This has to be one of James Michener's greatest achievements. If this isn't his best book, it is one of his best. At 1322 pages you would think that would be enough, but with all of the topics JM touches I actually found myself wanting more.Mercifully this one does not start with the formation of the earth's crust. Instead, JM jumps into the action and begins a saga that lasts almost 500 years. From the Indians, to the Spanish Friars, to the Alamo, gunslingers, frontiersmen, immigrants, cattleman, entrepreneurs, Texas Rangers, real estate barons, King Cotton, oil men, and football. This only scratches the surface.JM follows the lives of several families from their immigration to Texas and the lives they cut out for themselves while there. Beyond fascinating. I highly recommend this book. Don't let the size of it scare you off because if is a fast read.

Awe Inspiring and super fun to read!!

James Michener writes another of his super famous world renowned mega one word title novels that take a geographic area and tell the whole story with intertwining familys. From the inital journey into texas to the founding of Bejar (San Antonio) to the horror of Comanche Indian raids, to the fasinating detail of commerical real estate development! I have never read a Michener book I didn't consider a treasure, and this one is no exception. For anyone who is afraid of reading a James Michener historical fiction novel....Just because the books are long and you might think it will be a boring history novel, it is not! The books are fascinating, trust me I have read almost a dozen of them so far and they have all resonated with me, Hawaii, Chesapeake, Centennial, The Source, Poland, The Drifters, Caribbean, Alaska, TEXAS! I love them all so much! And I wish nothing more than for all those reading this to pick up a James Michener novel now!! Start with Hawaii!

Michener's Best Fiction

I'm actually surprised by some of the negative responses of the previous reviewers. Their opinions are certainly valid, and I wouldn't quibble with them, but I thought "Texas" was Michener's best fiction ("Iberia" is his best book) that I've ever read.The history of the state was fascinating and well-balanced. The characters were more likable than in most of his books (except maybe "Chesapeake"). The book certainly is long even by Michenerian standards, but it never became tedious in the way "Alaska" did. I think anyone who reads this book will be delighted by the magnificent effort Michener must have put into writing this. It's fun; it's fascinating; it's beautiful.