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 really like Michener, and I’m gradually either reading the books I haven’t already read or re-reading his books those I have. His stories are long but both educational and entertaining. My most recent re-reads were Poland and Space, and I also read Alaska a month or two ago. Be prepared to learn things you didn’t already know. He was a history …
Not author’s best work
The book that introduced me to Mitchener. The dog story it contains was extracted for aReader’s Digest condensation. I find Mitchener’s format,starting with a region’s ancient natural history to be pleasing and informative. His characters are memorable and it is hard to put the book down. You can’t wait to see how he pulls all the different …
One of my top 10 favorite books I’ve ever read. So realistic, I felt as if I were there, hearing the birds and other sounds, seeing what he saw. I’ll read it again some day.
liked it and recommended it to family
Re-read after 25 years. Good story. Weak ending.
Felt like I was in the area it was described so well.
Have read all of Michener’s books. Have yet to find a bad one and, since he is no longer with us, I have been re-reading.
Great book. I grew up near the Chesapeake and found this book fascinating. I really learned a lot and was sorry when the book was done.
Michener at his finest. Others of his works bog down in the history, but this one is alive, from the first page.
I love big books, I cannot lie! I’ve been hooked on Michner’s books since 1973 when I was a student. They unfold, generation by generation until you get a real feeling for a place through time.
realistic and eye opening and educational without bias
I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed the way everything in the book evolved – the characters, the land, the houses, the beliefs and the laws of the land.
It was such a great read! I will absolutely be re-reading this one
Loved this book, having spent some time there with a member of the founders family. Has that nice feeling of building a family with accompanying interest friends and neighbors through multiple generations. Realistic characters in different times. I must admit to be a follower of this author. Enjoy
A favorite of one of my favorite authors.
He who is bored by Michener is the part flawed.
A classic
The books by this author are always informative. At times its like reading a history book.
As enlightening as his entire body of work.
Love James Michener’s way of telling the whole story in detail. It’s like reading a history book with a plot. Wonderful book.