Michener became a published author in 1948 with the short story collection tales of the south pacific. Poland is a 1983 historical fiction novel by james michener. Poland by james a michener book cover, description, publication history. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys tribulations. Michener chronicles eight tumultuous centuries as three polish families live out their destinies. Best known for his novels, he wrote epic and detailed works classified as fictional documentaries. Poland was one of several michener historical novels i read in the late 70s and early 80s, when it seemed everybody else was doing the same. And michener, the master storyteller throws in a murder to add some needed spice to his tale. In the sweeping span of eight tumultuous centuries, three polish families live out their destinies and the drama of a nation in the grand tradition of a great james michener saga. Poland was one of several michener historical novels i read in the late 70s and early. James a michener books biography and list of works.
He is wellknown for the amount of research that went into his work in addition to the length of his novels 900 pages was a short novel for him. James a michener biography james albert michener february 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author of more than 40 books, most of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james michener s poland teems with vivid events and unforgettable characters in the sweeping span of eight tumultuous. The first novel written by michener was published in the year 1947 under the title tales of the south pacific. Michener had numerous bestsellers and works selected for book of the month. James a mic hener 1907 1997 james albert michener february 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author of more than 40 books, most of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. It obliquely follows three families the lubonskis, the bukowskis, and the luks living in the eponymous country across a. Michener, the pulitzer prizewinning master of the historical saga, returns to his beloved spain with this magical novel of seville at easter time, a season of splendid pageantry, thrilling bullfights, deep pietyand the possibility of m. The book was written prior to the breakdown of the soviet union and the dispersion of its satellites. Well that is silly because michener never claimed that poland is nonfictional. Albert michener, born around 1907, won the pulitzer prize for his first fiction, tales of the south pacific.
This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of poland by james a. Reconsidering the astonishing literary legacy of james. About poland a michener epic is far more than a bedtime reader, its an experience. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james michener s poland teems with vivid events and unforgettble characters. Michener and published in 1983 detailing the times and tribulations of three interconnected polish families the lubonski family, the bukowski family, and the buk family across eight centuries, ending in the thenpresent day 1981. He wrote more than 40 books, most of which were lengthy, fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. It dives into the heart of the country its people, culture, art, music, landscape, traditions, rituals in. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james micheners poland teems wit. Michener, as he is popularly known as, is a well known novelist, philanthropist and story writer from pennsylvania, united states. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at.
Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding of the countrys. His first novel was the fires of spring, which was published in 1949. James michener, american novelist and shortstory writer who, perhaps more than any other single author, made foreign environments accessible to americans through fiction. Michener and published in 1983 detailing the times and tribulations of three interconnected polish families the. The counts lubonski, the petty nobles bukowksi, and the peasants buk are at times fiercely united, at others tragically div. I gave a copy of this book to a nurse who attended me in a hospital, a few years ago.
Michener explains the history and problems of poland in terms of these three families, which follows the pattern used in his other historical novels. Michener draws on his unparalleled gift for storytelling, his deep understanding of american society, and his own life experiences to illuminate the challenges of aging and the folly. Shipped with usps media mail dust jacket has tears book looks great. The pittsburgh pressin his stunning new novel, bestselling novelist james a. Global archive voiced books online free poland is a work of historical fiction. Though the novel is set against a backdrop of actual events in polands history and though we encounter many real historical figures with some or many perhaps portrayed inaccurately, most. In the sweeping span of eight tumultuous centuries, three polish families live out their destinies and the drama of a nationin the grand tradition of a great james michener saga. Poland by michener james a abebooks passion for books. In the process, i discovered an american master i never suspected existed. I spent an entire year reading through the novels of james michener, especially the saga novels of the 1970s and 80s. Most of the characters on whom the action of the novel depends are also fictional. Michener 19071997 was an american author of historical fiction and nonfiction. Michener began to immerse himself in poland in 1977, three years.
The three main familiesthe counts lubonski, the petty nobles bukowski, the peasants bukare fictional, as is the village of bukowo, its two castles, the manor house and its peasants cottages. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. James a michener books biography and list of works author. Michener has 150 books on goodreads with 494184 ratings. He also successfully wrote nonfiction, including travel stories and a. The saga begins with a talky 1981 confrontation, in the village of bukowo on the vistula, between farmunion leader janko buk and. Like the heroic land that is its subject, poland teems with vivid events. James micheners historical novel, poland polish housewife. In this exceptional memoir, the man himself tells the story of his remarkable life and describes the people, events, and ideas that shaped it. James was born on february 3, 1907 in new york, united states. Micheners books in order of when they were first released. Poland a michener epic is far more than a bedtime reader, its an experience.
Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, texas, caribbean, and caravans, and the memoir the world is my home. He is most famous for writing the multigeneration historical and fictional stories. James michener novels books for sale in stock ebay. Once again james michener turned in a stellar performance with this novel. I hadnt intended to read it again now, but a copy fell into my lap, and after opening it idly i was hooked. Apart from the wellknown actual people, events, and locales that figure in the narrative, all names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the. The lubonski family is one of the princely houses of poland. It remains to this day, one of the few books ive started and not finished. Michener surprises again with his meticulous history of poland.
Michener includes a section at the beginning of the book explaining which parts of each chapter are based on fact and which are based on fiction. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better. Michener and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. As i recall, the book starts with the formation of the geographic land mass. Michener served on the advisory council to nasa and the. Michener s numerous bestselling novels also included the source, centennial, texas, hawaii, and chesapeake. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read poland. The dullest, if timeliest, history lesson yet from michener junior collegefollowing three polish clans noble, pettynoble, peasant from 1204 a. James michener s historical novel, poland december 27, 2016 by polishhousewife 11 comments as i was leaving arizona to move to poland, a friend gave me two books about my new home, one was james michener s historical novel, poland. Micheners numerous bestselling novels also included the source, centennial, texas, hawaii, and chesapeake. The novel depicts the lives of a man and a woman who are caught in. The historical novel is part fact and part fiction.
Michener s novel, told from four viewpoints, is an interesting and insightful look into book publishingfrom the writer to the editor to the critic to the editor. February 3, 1907 october 16, 1997 was an american author. A michener epic is far more than a bedtime reader, its an experience. Poland is a monumental effort, a magnificent guide to a better understanding.
In addition to his own reporting and interviewing for his blockbuster novel poland. The counts lubonski, the petty nobles bukowksi, and the peasants buk are at some times fiercely united, at others tragi. She was a polish immigrant to our country and i detected that she was proud of her mother country. She was overjoyed with the facts about poland that mr. Michener was one of the worlds most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the pulitzer prizewinning tales of the south pacific, the bestselling novels the source, hawaii, alaska, chesapeake, centennial, more about james a. I rarely hear him mentioned these days and wonder why. The bestselling book was adapted into the popular musical and film, south pacific. With an inspiring tradition of resistance to brutal invaders, from the barbarians to the nazis, and a heritage of pride that burns. Like the heroic land that is its subject, james micheners poland teems with vivid events and unforgettble characters. Micheners historical fiction, poland, is remarkable. Michener, has been the unwitting instrument of this orwellian effort. The counts lubonski, the petty nobles bukowksi, and the peasants buk are at some times fiercely united, at others tragically divided. But poland was the prime mover of the crash of the soviet union.
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