Written to commemorate the Bicentennial in 1976, James A. Michener’s magnificent saga of the West is an enthralling celebration of the frontier. Brimming with the glory of America’s past, the story of Colorado—the Centennial State—is manifested through its people: Lame Beaver, the Arapaho chieftain and warrior, and his Comanche and Pawnee enemies; Levi Zendt, fleeing with his child bride from the … bride from the Amish country; the cowboy, Jim Lloyd, who falls in love with a wealthy and cultured Englishwoman, Charlotte Seccombe. In Centennial, trappers, traders, homesteaders, gold seekers, ranchers, and hunters are brought together in the dramatic conflicts that shape the destiny of the legendary West—and the entire country.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener’s Hawaii.
Praise for Centennial
“A hell of a book . . . While he fascinates and engrosses, Michener also educates.”—Los Angeles Times
“An engrossing book . . . imaginative and intricate . . . teeming with people and giving a marvelous sense of the land.”—The Plain Dealer
“Michener is America’s best writer, and he proves it once again in Centennial. . . . If you’re a Michener fan, this book is a must. And if you’re not a Michener fan, Centennial will make you one.”—The Pittsburgh Press
“An absorbing work . . . Michener is a superb storyteller.”—BusinessWeek
more
I like Michener’s books and this was one of my favorites. There are many stories in this book and it is educational as well as informative and educational
Turgid! Not up to the old boy’s standards
Wonderful fictional history of Colorado
This is one of my all time favorite books. I’ve read it several times and always find something new. The characters are so well portrayed that you can “hear” their voices in your head. It is easy to vividly imagine scenes and when a favorite character dies, there is real sadness. I’ve recommended this book so many times that I couldn’t even …
As all Mitchner’s writings impeccably researched and long.
Excellent reading!
The first hundred pages or so are a slough but once people enter the picture it’s very entertaining. Michener did extensive research on his historical novels. Reading one of his books is like getting a lesson in history peopled with interesting characters.
Loved this book so much that I re-read it often along w/ his Hawaii novel. Having grown-up on Oahu we learned the islands history along w/ it’s legends & lore
Supberb writing! Excellent historical novel.
I love Mitchner in general. His books are all more than entertaining. They usually are hard to start but after a few pages you won’t be able to put it down. The same with all his books.
This is one of the great fictional westerns of our day. Mitchner always does an excellent job of telling a story that although fictional sounds like a composition of a lot of realistic characters.
Completely engaging historical fiction. You learn while you turn the pages covering wagon trains and the elephant, mountain men and their native wives. Well worth the dual investents of money and time.
Great blend of fictional and historical events and people.
This is one of my favorite books. Geographical and archaeological insights on how we got here. As always Michener’s research and understanding of his subject matter is excellent. A Great story.
This is a fantastic book. It is the life of a small town from before it was a town. It is a tale of the west in more depth than we have heard before. And you can also watch the TV mini-series. They stayed mostly right with the book. I recommend this book for everyone!!
One of my all time favorite books.
I loved it! Start to finish! The historical settling of the Colorado territory was of special interest to me.
He writes so beautifully, and he grabs you until The End
Centennial was one of the only books that I finished at 5 am and immediately restarted the back to page one. I have read this book many times and always seem to find something new or something I forgot about. Michner’s books have always been among my favorites and I always remember Centennial as my favorite, and then I remember Hawaii, then …
It was dated but still a lovely read by a special gentleman
Exceptional book about the history of the West, especially centered on Colorado. Superb character development that includes love and success as well as tragedy. There are scenes that you will remember years after finishing the book.