In this classic novel, James A. Michener brings his grand epic tradition to bear on the four-hundred-year saga of America’s Eastern Shore, from its Native American roots to the modern age. In the early 1600s, young Edmund Steed is desperate to escape religious persecution in England. After joining Captain John Smith on a harrowing journey across the Atlantic, Steed makes a life for himself in the … the New World, establishing a remarkable dynasty that parallels the emergence of America. Through the extraordinary tale of one man’s dream, Michener tells intertwining stories of family and national heritage, introducing us along the way to Quakers, pirates, planters, slaves, abolitionists, and notorious politicians, all making their way through American history in the common pursuit of freedom.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener’s Hawaii.
Praise for Chesapeake
“Another of James Michener’s great mines of narrative, character and lore.”—The Wall Street Journal
“[A] marvelous panorama of history seen in the lives of symbolic people of the ages . . . An emotionally and intellectually appealing book.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Michener’s most ambitious work of fiction in theme and scope.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Magnificently written . . . one of those rare novels that is enthusiastically passed from friend to friend.”—Associated Press
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I loved this book and it is a history lesson also. Very informative and entertaining.
Among my top ten ever.
Wonderful book I plan on reading more of his books
Outstanding so good I read it twice
Cookie cutter
One of Michener’s finest in his typical detailed style.
Of the multitude of books I have read one of my most favorite chapters is in this story. Geese mate for life and this chapter is a love story. It has been years/decades since I read this and it still remains in my thoughts.
What happens to a wonderful body of water, as man evades the scene and changes the ecology forever.
Michener’s specialty was to pick a geographic location and then tell the epic and sweeping saga of that location spanning centuries and generations. Chesapeake covers roughly 400 years, beginning with Pentaquod, who is forced to leave his Susquehannock Indian tribe. Pentaquod lives a solitary existence on the shores of the Chesapeake, until he …
I read over 50 books a year, this is one of the best of the best.
Do not miss this book.
I loved this book. Another fun way to learn about the deep history of this area. Every time I now see geese flying in their V-formation, I think of what I read in this informative book.
Wonderful
As a teenage hunter of geese here in the Northwest Oregon flyway, was astounded by Michener’s description of the great abundance of fowl that the pilgrims found.
First time reading James Michener but won’t be the last. Loved the descriptions of the land, the different people and settings as time evolved. This was a very good book. Will read more of James Michener.
Interesting reading in advance of our travel to the eastern seaboard. It was a little slow in parts, but all in all, an information driven historical narative. Some good insights on slavery.
A book every American should read.
I find historical fiction gives me a better sense of history. Yes it is fiction but I believe that Michener does a great job of keeping the events and characters as real to life as possible. I love reading history but as many know our brains love a story about people versus a simple resisitation of the facts. Thus why with interesting characters …
Very interesting saga of life along the Chesapeake during its entire time of habitation.
Michener is the best storyteller ever.
I loved this book. It tells the fabulous story of the settling of the Chesapeake Bay area. The characters are well-developed and inspiring to read about.