Helpful Score: 3
Incredible book, follows a family who helped settle the area, what the Indians went through with the whites moving into the area, how gold was found and so quickly lost. How two half breed sons try to stay with their mom yet follow their fathers lust for life. The geology in the beginning of the book is one of my favorite parts. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 2
I chose this book because I have decided to take a literary tour of the United States. Having been to the south with Eudora Welty and the Optimist's Daughter, I decided to go West. And I couldn't have chosen a better guide than Michener (whom I have never read before.) I was absolutely fascinated by the details and historical information - beginning way back some billion years ago when the cooling earth began to shape itself into what is now known as Colorado. Each chapter of this book was like reading a separate novel except that they all fit together in one sweeping progression that took me from the age of the dinosaurs right on through to the present time. I grew attached to all of the characters - even the beavers, the horses and the buffalo but especially the people - the Indians, the settlers, the fur traders, the cattle Ranchers, cowbows, hunters, farmers, even the scoundrels, swindlers and politicians - because they were so carefully portrayed. But this wasn't primarily an epic story about people and families (although it was fun watching them or their descendants show up from one era to the next)It was an epic story about the west itself and what happened there over the thousands and thousands of years that have made it what it is. What a trip!
Helpful Score: 2
of all Michner's many books, ithink this one may rank among my favorites. Typical Michner, you have to drag yourself thru the dry beginning part and then you will have a wild ride thru the west during a very exciting time and he makes you feel every second of it. Enjoy
Helpful Score: 2
One of my favorite books ever. The TV series was excellent, as well. Unforgettable characters. I have re-read the book in recentyears.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, at the top of it's category.
Outstanding.
Fabulous book!
If you like historical novels and don't mind reading long books, you will enjoy this.
This was made into a mini-series, I think in the 70's! It is a fantastic book, and was a fantastic series. Michener is tough to get started, but you will be very glad you hung in there! Happy reading!
This was one of the first of Michener's books that I read, and it really got me hooked on his writing! This is an excellent and often riveting example of his expertise of combining actual historical settings and facts with great character development through several generations.
