The Drifters

by James A. Michener

Book Overview

In this triumphant bestseller, renowned novelist James A. Michener unfolds a powerful and poignant drama of disenchanted youth during the Vietnam era. Against exotic backdrops including Spain, Morocco, and Mozambique, he weaves together the heady dreams, shocking tribulations, and heartwarming bonds of six young runaways cast adrift in the world--as well as the hedonistic pursuit of drugs and pleasure that collapses all around them. With the sure...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394462009
• ISBN13: 9780394462004
• Release Date: April 1971
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 751 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Drifters

Great story. The condition of this book was listed as Excellent. It was poor, stained pages and faded cover. It was disappointing to receive the book in such poor condition.

Seek Your Dreams

This book changed my life. In 1986 I actually followed the characters travels through Europe. The goal of the trip was to find the Alamo bar in Torremolinos, Spain. Even though no one had heard of such a bar and it was not listed in any business or telephone directory I did what the characters did-I wandered through the city. At the end of a small alley was a hand scrawled sign that read "Alamo Bar". I followed the arrow and came to a tiny hole in the wall bar that had an upside down horseshoe over the door and a sign that said "Alamo Bar, open 8 til late". It seems that the people who ran the Alamo moved into a larger bar called the Stagecoach. According to the bartender, I was the second person who had found them because of the book. The other guy was from Poland and actually kissed the floor when he arrived. My copy of the book is still behind the bar waiting for the third visitor.Five years later I met a woman who had just come back from Europe and I asked her where she visited. She replied "Have you ever heard of a book called "The Drifters"? A year and a half later she became my wife. Read this book at the risk of changing your life too.

A Must Read...about young people's search for themselves

Just as Dorothy had to travel far away from home to "find herself" (excuse the cliche)James Michener's very real characters travel to the beautiful coast of Torremolinos,Spain - to escape conventions and restrictions, to experiment with sex,drugs,love,friendship all in attempt to define and become themselves. Reminiscient of the romantic haze of the sixties - The Drifters speaks most directly to those of us who've been 'drifting' through life in search of that which lies at our very core. It chronicles our struggles, our obstacles, our hopes and narrates the story of that bumpy and incredible path on which we become ourselves - for better or for worse. An engrossing and awesome read - and a particularly good travel book! READ IT!