Texas: A Novel

Great great read. I've retired to Texas and learned so much more about this great state even things I thought I already knew life is better and bigger in texas

Texas: A NovelJames A MichenerBeing a "born" Texan, I've read this book at least three times. Thought I remembered every line & verse, but each time I reread this very interesting, colorful, pride-inspiring novel, I find something I forgot from the first go-round. After reading this novel(very many well researched historical facts)you'll understand a little better why Texans are tough. We had/have to be to survive, & our history confirms it.I'm not proud of how my ancestors treated minorities(wouldn't you know I finally figured out why, after I grew up, my grandfather, who was a Texas Ranger, called me his "Black Crow." My birth father was a "blood" Choctaw, & the rest of his grandchildren were "white."You're right....he didn't like Indians, etc. But "in the day," that was the way things were. Wonder what our excuse is for the way things still are today?Regardless, come on, read this very fast-moving, steady paced, exciting book. You'll learn a lot, & enjoy the time you spent learning.

As a transplant from California to Texas, we have found that the culture and the pride in this state are unprecedented and wanted to understand why and how it came about. My husband began reading the Lone Star which is a historical factual book--even longer than Texas. But my book was obviously the most exciting as I finished mine about three weeks ago and he is still struggling with his. Both books give clear examples, stories, and amazing facts about Texas and although it took me 62 years and my husband 70 years, we got here as fast as we could! Texans are a different breed and in order to understand this, you just have to live here, get to know these wonderful people and then read the history.

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.

I enjoyed this book very much and will donate it to local library.

Really miss James Michener. These "place" books are always fascinating and immersive, great for a vacation read.

The book was in terrible condition, the outside was dirty and it looked used. Contacted Amazon and they quickly sent a replacement, however when the replacement arrived it was in the same condition. I was sending the book overseas and I didn't have time to go through replacement again. Sent as is, and I apologized for the condition to the recipient

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 read these books more as 30 years ago and liked them enough then that i am reading them again.

This was a great story, well told and well written.Covers a lot of ground and memorable characters.First Class.... now for Alaska

Desideravo questo libro ormai introvabile in libreria e anche in biblioteca, perché autore sconosciuto ai giovani, benché famoso anni fa e dai cui romanzi sono stati tratti vari film e serie TV. Ora l'ho trovato in formato e.book

Lecture personnelle (il est difficile de conseiller un tel pavé à son entourage) ! L'histoire est découpée en tableaux, suivant la méthode MICHENER, les personnages sont superbement décrits, et certains épisodes sont à mourir de rire (comtés "secs", perdrix au nid, art et football...) mais peut-être l'humour est-il involontaire ? Un film "TEXAS" inspiré du livre concerne surtout la guerre d'indépendance. Un livre de James Lee BURKE "TEXAS FOR EVER" accompagne le film.Bref, TEXAS et MICHENER sont hautement recommandables.

アメリカのテキサス州の歴史を，白人の入植時代から現代まで描く長編小説．いくつかの家系を追ってその子孫の物語として語ってゆくMichener独自の手法はいつも通りだが，この作品では1章おきに，テキサス州の歴史教育を考える委員会のメンバーに選ばれた富豪や大学教授ら数人が意見をたたかわせて，現在の視点から州の歴史を考え直すという趣向が加えられている．テキサス州は17世紀以来，フランス，スペイン，メキシコの支配を受け，1836年にはテキサス共和国として独立，その後大論争の末にアメリカの一部となるという，アメリカ50州の中でも特にかわった歴史をもつ．そのためもあって，テキサス州，テキサス人は他州，アメリカ人一般とは一線を画す，素晴らしい州，優秀な人間であるという強烈な「お国自慢」 が現在もなお根強く残っているという点はなかなか興味深い．インディアンとの戦い，奴隷問題，農業，酪農，フットボール，油田開発など，各時代のさまざまなトピックスが人間ドラマの中で語られて行く．最近とかく話題になっているメキシコ移民の問題も，既に19世紀から綿々と続いていることがよくわかる．例によってちょっと長すぎるのが玉に瑕であるが，文句なしに楽しめる歴史超大作．