Centennial by James A. Michener is a sprawling historical fiction novel that spans from prehistoric times to the 20th century, focusing on the fictional town of Centennial, Colorado. The book delves into the geology, history, and diverse cultures that shaped the region, including Native Americans, settlers, ranchers, and miners. Michener weaves together the lives of various characters over generations, providing a comprehensive look at the development of the American West. The writing style incorporates detailed historical facts and vivid descriptions of the landscape, making the story immersive and educational.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include depictions of violence, historical massacres, and cultural discrimination, reflecting the harsh realities of settler and Native American interactions.
Has Romance?
The novel contains medium levels of romance interwoven with the historical and dramatic narratives, featuring relationships that develop against the backdrop of significant events.
From The Publisher:
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 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.
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
Ratings (9)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (5) |
Reader Stats (13):
Read It (9) | |
Want To Read (4) |
What can you read after
Centennial?
About the Author:
James A. Michener was one of the world's most popular writers, the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tales of the South Pacific, the bestselling novels The Source, Hawaii, Alaska, Chesapeake, Centennial,…
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