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I've also read Caravans, Hawaii, Centennial, The Source, and Chesapeake (my dad's favorite). All of those were years ago. Last summer I picked up Mexico, and it was disappointing. I didn't finish.
I owe Mitchner a huge debt of gratitude. He made me the reader I am today. In the early grades I was such a poor reader that I was almost left back, even though I came from a family of readers. Then the summer after 5th grade a number of my local neighborhood friends who were one grade ahead of me and moving on to Jr. High in the fall also started taking an interest in boys and make-up and such. My closest friend moved away at the start of the summer and I was rather lonely.
My folks subscribed to the Readers Digest Condensed Books and often went on the buy or borrow the full edition. I read the beginning of Hawaii and his description of the geology and the formation of the islands so captivated my imagination that I took some of my allowance and went to the drug store and bought the paperback. It took me all summer to read it but I realized that reading did not have to be a bore "Oh, Look! See Spot run. Run, Spot, run." was not all there was in the world of books.
By 8th grade I was reading at second year college level. By my senior year of high school I was occasionally teaching the class when the teacher, who was head of the entire English Dept for over 8,000 students (and only taught that one class) had to attend meetings, etc. He told me to go get my degree, come back in four years and I'd have a job.
I still have Michener close to the top of my all time favorite authors. During the time period when I read most of Michener's books I also read almost everything by Herman Wouk, Leon Uris, James Clavell. Jack London, Howard Fast and Lloyd C. Douglas.
I was lucky to have worked at jobs that allowed me time to do a lot of reading. I grew up on a ranch/farm and my Dad would always get irritated at me when he caught me reading instead of doing chores. I got in the habit of carrying paper back books in my pocket and reading whenever I had the chance. That has been a lifelong pleasure. I was lucky to find several things that I really enjoyed at an early age and am still enjoying them as a Senior citizen. In order of appearance: firearms, fishing, books, motorcycles and Ladies. Thank Gawd for the free library card. Of all those hobbies reading is the only one I can still enjoy every day.
Over the years I have enjoyed reading a fair number of books by James Michener ...
Chesapeake - After reading Chesapeake I longed to jump in a car and motor east, to see the big bay first hand. (I reside in NW Ohio.)
Any other James Michener fans out there? What say you?
Bear
I actually did just that.
During the summer I read Chesapeake, and in early Sept. I spent the day driving down to the eastern shore of Maryland, had lunch in the charming and historical town of Chestertown, Md.
But for me it is only 85 miles, or about an hour and 45 minute drive.
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