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Texas A Novel James A Michener Steve Berry Books

Download As PDF : Texas A Novel James A Michener Steve Berry Books

Texas A Novel James A Michener Steve Berry Books

I grew up in Santa Ana, CA. I was a poor white kid and most of my friends were Mexican American or Black. We got along remarkably well in those days. After serving four years in the US Navy, upon my return I observed the incipient phase of an influx of illegal immigrants into Southern CA. The animosity was palpable and only exacerbated over the next thirty to forty five years. I wanted to understand why so much hate and discontent existed. Why do the Mexicans hate us so much. My Father, an avid Michener fan suggested I read Texas. Brilliantly written, it lent tremendous insight for me. Clearly one of the best books I have ever read.


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Texas A Novel James A Michener Steve Berry Books Reviews

There are so many great reviews showing for this book, that I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

I got both, the version and the Audible version. I recommend both, especially since it is such a long, literary book, that professional narration will keep you listening to every word, as opposed skipping over some chapters. Trust, me, this is one of those books that you do not want to skip over a single paragraph.

What really intrigues is Michener's skill at connecting the dots on two or three characters on the long arc from the distant path and bringing them to a logical end point that defies any preconceptions the reader might have.

BOTTOM LINE

Five stars. I'm going to stock my library with and Audible versions of all Michener books.
I have always been interested in the history of our country and being a true Texas I wanted to know more about my home state. This book is very comprehensive and covers centuries of history. I am over half finished with reading it and have learned so much about Texas. I highly recommend this book if you want true Texas history.
As a native Texan, I thoroughly enjoyed the first 90% of the book. However the last 10% (approximately) was tedious to me. I'm not really interested in the lifestyles of the rich and famous, shady real estate deals, questionable multi-million dollar financing schemes.

To me, the book just bogged down and it was a chore to finish. That's a shame too, because the history up until the early 1900s was fascinating.
It takes me a long time to read a Michener. It's a large book, and I don't have a lot of time for reading. But the books are all engaging, and I think they are informative. That's how I feel about this book. It kept my attention from start to end. Michener gives a spot check of real Texas history in this book, but does so by use of fictional characters. Sometimes they interact with real historical figures. Stephen Austin, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna and other real historical figures are depicted in the book as well.

The book is not sympathetic to those who are racial minorities, including American Indians, Mexicans, and people of African American descent. These groups are villainized in Michener's depictions of different periods of history. The Spanish are conquerors, Santa Anna is clever but a buffoon. The Indians are bloodthirsty and cruel. There is very light treatment of the way post-Civil War former slaves continue to be repressed. Right up to the 80s, the book seems approving of the way small numbers of white people dominate counties and regions to keep power among themselves.
I first read this book in the 1870's. I thoroughly enjoyed this re-read. I am in my 80's so I can relate to much of the book in real terms. Michener is an artist at delivering history in a novel format so that history becomes interesting and fun. This is due to his relating the how and why which is so often missing in history tomes. Developing several different stories then tying them all together in the presentation is excellent. The book helped take me back to understand why Texas is unique and a reminder of how it came into being and the battles necessary to make it all happen for the better. The cost of these battles is also well presented. Michener's research as always in impeccable and thorough. One last point, I read it as an e-book this time so didn't have to hall the 1400 page book around with me and worry about losing my place or being arm weary after a long session with the book.
Lengthy, but interesting until he gets to the modern day review panel with rich descendants and co-conspirators at the end of each major chapter. These added little to the story. He did this same thing in Centenial, but not in Hawaii or Alaska. As I read these books I keep my Google Earth app handy to follow the areas and towns he is describing. Having traveled extensively I am reasonably familiar with most locations he is referring to.I recommend this book to any body wishing to know just how Texas was settled.
My father moved our family from CA when I was four years old. I grew up in the Fort Worth area, finished high school in a small farming community high scbool near Decatur TX and graduated from Texas Tech College at Lubbock in 1960. Joined the Navy and retired 26 years later from military service , before becoming involved in the construction industry for another 30 years. However, during my career, my folks remained in Texas, as small business owners in Ft. Worth, TX area, farmers in the Decatur TX area, ranchers near Stephenville, TX, and retirees in Alpine, TX, Fredricksberg, TX and San Angelo, TX. This, combined with my schooling years, allowed me to become fully aware of the differences in climate and topography through out the state. Although Michener's TEXAS relies on fictions characters to describe the making of the State of Texas, it allows the reader to undestand why Texas has developed to the level and standing it has within the USA. Having experienced Texas for the last 75 years in various manners, I could relate to Michner's Texas and learned more of its history. If you want to know why Texas has the traits it has today, read TEXAS.
I grew up in Santa Ana, CA. I was a poor white kid and most of my friends were Mexican American or Black. We got along remarkably well in those days. After serving four years in the US Navy, upon my return I observed the incipient phase of an influx of illegal immigrants into Southern CA. The animosity was palpable and only exacerbated over the next thirty to forty five years. I wanted to understand why so much hate and discontent existed. Why do the Mexicans hate us so much. My Father, an avid Michener fan suggested I read Texas. Brilliantly written, it lent tremendous insight for me. Clearly one of the best books I have ever read.