Product Description
This is the only authorized biography of James A. Michener covering his early education and first jobs as an English and history teacher at two prestigious prep schools in Pennsylvania. The keystone is a collection that the authors' serindipitously purchased at auction of the actual textbooks from which Michener taught and in which he made notations and wrote poems. He contributed and signed seven extensive notes for the biography detailing the usefulness of these books and many emotional memories they evoked of teaching.

At an early age, Michener prepared for his life adventures, thus details of the remarkable high school and college education that prepared him for teaching are included, as are many quotes from the authors' interviews and correspondance with him.

The book contains over 125 photo and document illustrations, extensive references, bibliography, and index. Printed on coated paper in red and black ink. Limited to 800 copies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

James A. Michener The Beginning Teacher And His Textbooks
A copy of this book will delight collectors of James Michener novels.

It deals with a little documented period of his life as a teacher.The books also gives an interestingaccount of the discovery of the signed and annotated textbooks that belonged to Michener, and prompted the authors to write their book.It's an insightful description of the formative years of James Michener, the author.You will enjoy this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great read
A really nice book by the master of 20th century writing James Michener, any fan o his will love this poignant tale. ... Read more

Product Description
America's bestselling author transports readers to magical Seville, Spain, at Easter time, a season of splendid pageantry, exciting bullfights, deep piety--and miracles. An American journalist, sent to Seville on assignment to cover the efforts of a rancher to revive his once proud line of bulls--uncovers a story that shakes his newspaperman's hard-bitten pragmatism. 26 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A great one sitting read
Great story, with lovely illustrations and a parallel thread of Catholic devotion.

I read it one summer evening and thoroughly enjoyed it.

JGR

Spain's Preoccupation As Told By An American.
This was not an easy book for me to read.Michener gives the history of bullfighting which is Spain's ancient tradition.The festivities begin with a man in medieval costume on a white horse asking for permission to get the games started.There will be three matadors and six animals.The parade like Mardi Gras is unmatched in any other sport.This strange novel is full of the pageantry surrouding the running of the bulls every year at Holy Week.

There have always been female matadors in Mexico.I viewed a PBS special and one of the women expressed the same things this author did, which surprised me, about feeling the bull was inside her.I though that very strange.

Sometimes the matador loses his nerve; if he does not show a true sense of honor (like Gypsy), the bullfight falls apart and its essence is destroyed.It is savagery at its worse and "the magic is lost."It takes a linked chain of good deeds and superstition to make it work smoothly.Camino would have worked a miracle of passion and beauty.El Viti might have caused the crowd to gasp in wonder.Diego Puerta, highly regarded as the gentleman matador of his era, was testbook-perfect in his performances.

Not many bulls live on; Ferdinand was only a children's book.Torpedo was spared at Seville as being "too brave to kill" and crowned with laurels, as the crowd shouted "Toro, toro" and threw flowers as the matadors took bows.They had made a sacred journey through the streets of Seville, home of Spain's classic arena, carrying heavy floats.

The Gypsy quarter is across the river from Seville.More than five hundred years ago, the first gypsy arrived in Spain "on foot" over the Pyrenees Mountains.One is in this story.This strange novel is full of the pageantry surrouding the running of the bulls and the devout Spaniards who are extremely superstitious and most support the churches.Carlos Ubach sent me castanets and varied souvenirs with paintings of bullfighters in their colorful regalia.How they do worship the sport!Also the beautiful church in Barcelona.No typo -- Carlos is a real person.There was a special on PBS about female matadors and a lot of it came right out of this book.Because of the Spanish War, the women were not allowed to fight the bulls in Spain, and so had to show their prowess in Mexico.One of the best said what Mitchener did, that she felt the bull in her inner being and prayed for courage and honor from her Mother Saint.She must have read this little book.

Keep the faith
This is a nice brief read that emphasizes the power of faith. Although it is a story about a bull ranch breeder , his bulls and the bullfighters, the story draws strongly on mystic beliefs of thethe gypsy as well as the grace of religion and the Virgin Mary. The story takes palce during Holy Week in Spain and the pagentry of the religious street processions and the ring are told with great detail. Michner is a marvelous story teller. Remember this is a novel, therefore creative liberty is expected and usually the normwhen it comes to presenting a story. One annonymous reviewer here was offended by the inaccuracies. Suffice to say, there is a difference between fiction and non-fiction; this work is a fiction novel. One of the highlights of this lovely story is the tremendous art work by the late American matador de toros, John Fulton. The twenty-six drawings are mini-art treasures to be appreciated as you read the story of the arrogant gypsy matador Gomez, his ally sister, the fortune teller Magdalena Lopez,the cross-eyed Virgin Mary known as La Bizca, Mr. Shenstone and Don Cayetano Mota and his bulls. Reading this story with the illustrations is a experience that brings life and color to the pages. This is a great story , told in the manner that only James Michner can that will captivate the imagination while you are reading about the exploits of the various characters. Recommended for lovers of exoticfiction steeped in the power of faith.

outrageously inaccurate and badly written
Anyone who knows Spain and bullfighting can only cringe (or hoot in derision) upon reading this ridiculous book.One has to wonder if Michener ever really visited this country.Among the many inaccuracies in the book,I'll list a few of the craziest: he has Spaniards spending pesos (thecurrency in Spain is pesetas), he has the locals referring to El Puerto deSanta Maria as "Santa Maria" (which no one does), and he has twobullfighters blaming a third for ruining their chances of getting carriedout of the bullring in triumph (this simply never happens--each bullfighteris judged on his own merits). And the book is just badlywritten--somehow managing to be dull and melodrmatic at the same time.The"fiery gypsy" is an absurd stereotype, and all the characters arepresented in the most wooden and amateurish manner.Only John Fulton'sfine illustrations save the book from being a total loss (but Fulton--whowas himself a matador--should have been ashamed of himself for being partyto such a travesty).

It is about the enchanting mystery of the powers of Faith.
I found that this book captured the beauty of Seville in all of it's grandeur.It described the love and passion of bullfighting and how it is reflected in the religous faith of it's most devout.The book accurately describes the love and devotion that the Spanish in Seville have for Our most Holy Mother.She is love and she is above all things. The book tells of how Our Lady peforms all kinds of miracles for those good and devout to her. ... Read more

Product Description
One of America's foremost authors describes the process of writing and publishing a book in this invaluable step-by-step guide for writers, editors, and book lovers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A vanity book?
See, even the greats must revise!

Hey, I suppose it's interesting to read a guy's first drafts. Perhaps one can learn things about his psyche. But I certainly didn't learn much about writing, and in the last section of the book where all my supposed writing questions were answered, I found Michener pompous at best.

I look at it this way: even the greats write awful first drafts!

not what it is marketed as
This is a great insight into one of the great writers of our time. This book shows how he works. As a handbook for the upcoming writer, it's only value is in seeing how one of the masters works. though it does not "help" new writers, it is a valuable book because it shows the process michener takes.

Michener's Writer's Guide
I found this book to be of no help to me as a writer whatsoever. It is mostly an account of how Michener has written, edited, and published his own works with very little suggestions for others. It is page after page after page of typed, retyped, highlighted, and scratched-out texts of hisworks; pages of scrawling, unintelligible handwritten notes (by Michener inhis writing process). More directed at getting a work published than onwriting techniques and so forth. ... Read more

Product Description
A photographic essay through the country's distinct regions captures the vibrant essence of Mexico, its people, and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Definitely one of Michener's 2 best books.
Mexico is simply stunning.I couldn't put it down.A fabulous story ofrememberence and love for a nation.The amazing bullfight sequences aresuperbly written, and more amazing details could not have been seen if onehad been there.A must read for anyone interested in Mexico, Spain, orjust wanting to read a GREAT book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pilgrim's Progress--but no heart or soul
I found this "book" a total disappointment. More of a pamphlet, it's a brief overview of Michner's visits to Poland and Italy, but with no warmth, no feeling for either country. He could have gone anywhere for all I got from this pilgrimage.The book is a litany of "so and so picked me up, we drove to (museum, academy, official reception) where I met Mayor Whoever and Cardinal Whatever, received the Polish Order of Something or Other, drove back to hotel with Somebody Else.Next day, a car ride or airplane hop, and same old same old. It was like reading a laundry list.I love Michner and was so eager to get his own personal experiences -- what the people wore, what they ate, how they looked, the movies they saw -- anything, in short that would give me insight into those he met and came to know. This dry little list of dinners his honor and the people who attended them left me yawning and bored.

Insights into the Novel and the Man
"Pilgrimage: A Memoir of Poland & Rome" recounts James A. Michener's trip in 1988 to his beloved Poland and Rome.Michener's novel "Poland" favorably influenced world opinion of the central European country, but at the time the book was written, communist Poland was not entirely happy with the book.Then, in 1988, Poland's government realized the positive effect of his novel, as it accurately portrayed the country in its history, people, and thinking spanning nearly one thousand years.People who have read "Poland" may be interested to read about the impact of Michener's book and insight into the book itself, which is recounted in "Pilgrimage."

Michener traveled on his pilgrimage with a small group of close friends that had great influence in those countries.Arriving in Poland, Michener was bestowed the nation's highest civilian medal for writing the book about the country.The author shared his ideas on the irony of at first being rejected by the country for his book and then welcomed back and thanked for it.Later in Rome, Michener met the Pope for the third time.

Although the book is short, it tells an interesting story that provides insight into who the author is and the dramatic impact that his novel "Poland" has had.One may even learn a few new things about Poland by reading this book.For those that have read "Poland," I would recommend this book for these insights.Those that have not read the book "Poland" may still find this biographical account of a pilgrimage interesting.


... Read more

Product Description
Praise for Ann Harleman's writing:"A wonderful talent."--Washington Post Book World"A dexterous writer."--New York Times Book Review"Harleman trawls deep, treasure-filled waters."--Boston GlobeNan and her four-year-old granddaughter Jane are taking their first airplane trip together, flying from Seattle to the East Coast. But this is no ordinary excursion. Nan is abducting Jane.Nan's own daughter, Alex, believes Jane's father has been sexually abusing her, and she's asked Nan to take her away, to hide her. But when she and Jane arrive in Providence, Rhode Island, things begin to go wrong. The old friend whom Nan expected to stay with has vanished. Her son-in-law is on her trail. And Alex disappears. "I'm too old for this!" Nan thinks, in furious, self-pitying despair. She wasn't a good wife; she wasn't a good mother. Now she's stranded in a strange city, without friends or money or even her own identity, in sole charge of a very unhappy little girl. When her new life offers new friends, new work, and even a new lover, she must decide whom to trust. The Year She Disappeared explores the possibility--and the price--of late blooming love. Will the trials Nan faces during her year on the lam break her? Or will she discover who she really is? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Year She Disappeared
Hi all,
I am just sending a quick note to let those of you out there who are in your mid fifties to early sixties who are grandmothers, that this book is a quick and easy read.There is a lotthat the main character experiences that most of us will identify with.I found this book relevant and interesting. It kept me reading, which is a feat for me.I am reading it for a book club I am in with a group of friends. I do not currently have grandchildren but I have been in education for over 20 years, so I identified with the relationship the main character had with her grand daughter. I am also the mother of a daughter and the relationship with her daughter was telling as well. If you are looking for a quick read that will maintain your interest and share some insight into a relationship that some of us look forward to having, or currently have read this. Thanks,

Adrian

For any who just want a good story.
After so much mistrust and discontentment, many people decide just to start their lives completely over. The memories still remain however, as Nan finds herself distrustful, and now she must take care of herself and her sexually abused granddaughter in "The Year She Disappeared". The fourth novel of prolific author Ann Harleman, it is a deftly written emotional tale sure to jerk at the feelings of its readers with its story that grabs them and refuses to let go. "The Year She Disappeared" is highly recommended for community library literary fiction shelves and for any who just want a good story. ... Read more

Product Description
Praise for Toby Olson's writing:"Nothing can detract from Mr. Olson's ability to conjure gorgeous prose passages that celebrate the healing powers of friendship, the pleasures of love and lovemaking, and the inborn mystery and beauty of things in this world."--New York Times Book Review"Toby Olson takes on almost everything that a work of fiction can bear."--Los Angeles Times"Toby Olson is one of America's most important novelists."--Robert CooverFour old men--John, Gino, Larry, and Frank--have been warehoused at "the Manor," a long-eroded home for the forgotten. The men take turns telling stories, stalling death as they relive pivotal parts of their pasts. Outside, the cliff crumbles and a lighthouse slips toward the sea. John, in particular, enthralls the others with his tale of Tampico, Mexico, where he met an Indian woman named Chepa who owned a house at the edge of a mountain wilderness. She was his first love--and his first lesson in the dangers of foreign intrigue. But his is not the only memory haunted by mysteries born in Mexico. Sick of waiting for death, stirred by the shifting ground beneath their feet, the Manor's residents finally resolve to quit that place and head out for Tampico. With inexorable pull, and exquisite scenes that could only come from Toby Olson, Tampico celebrates a sublime band of calaveras, "those skeleton messengers of mortality," who seek self-discovery even as their lives are ending. ... Read more

Product Description
When her husband dumps her for an old girlfriend and sets all of Peachland, South Carolina, gossiping, Janey Daniels has to get away--far away--for a "sabbatical" year. She flees to Burlington, Vermont, home of Aunt May, her mother's only living relative. There she adopts Beulah, a Labrador puppy in training to become a companion dog for the blind. Not for a moment does Janey suspect that this "year of the dog" will change her life forever. Shelby Hearon is an acknowledged master at illuminating the nuances of relationships. In Year of the Dog, she explores the surprising ways that the heart heals after a betrayal. While Janey is training Beulah, Beulah leads Janey to a new love, James Maarten, a smart, "fidgety" teacher they meet at the dog park. As Janey soon discovers, James has suffered a betrayal of his own that makes it hard for him to open up and trust her with even the smallest details of his past. While Janey tries to help James, she also reaches out to her enigmatic Aunt May, a retired librarian reputed to be the friend, perhaps even the lover, of popular mystery writer Bert Greenwood. When Janey attempts to solve the twin mysteries of why her great aunt has distanced herself from the family--and what her true relationship is with Bert Greenwood--Beulah provides the clues that lead Janey to uncover the secrets of her aunt's life. By the time Beulah's stay with Janey comes to an end, the people whose lives she's linked will discover that healing and reconciliation can come in the most unexpected ways. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Endearing Novel Shines On Story Set in Vermont
Shelby Hearon is not a "native" Texan in the strict sense of the word, but she lived and worked in Texas for many years, and she's won just about all the literary awards that state has to offer. Even though her latest novel, "Year of the Dog" is mostly set in Vermont, it has the same Texas twang that has endeared other Shelby Hearon novels to her Texas readers.

The story opens as Janey Daniels learns her husband has left her for an old high school flame. Not only that, but the flame is pregnant, and worse, the whole town knows it. In fact, this juicy scandal is the talk of small town Peachland, and Janey decides she has to get away. She researches her options online and finds a prep-school for seeing-eye dogs in Burlington, Vermont. They need trainers, and Janey has a mysterious aunt living there whom she'd like to get to know better.

What transpires once Janey arrives in Vermont is the basis for this sweet and sometimes funny novel about healing from loss and betrayal and eventually finding a way to recovery. The book is divided into parts, the titles of which are taken from the fictional "puppy manual" that Janey is reading throughout the story. But these titles can also apply to Janey's new and unfamiliar life as well: Socializing, Building Worry, A Mounting Problem, Soliciting Approval, Avoiding Distraction and so on.

Hearon writes with a delicious mix of wit, compassion and sensitivity. I liked how the personal pain Janey is dealing with is so muted that the reader almost doesn't realize when they're being fed subtle reasons for the failure of the marriage, as in this passage from the day Janey first gets her puppy-in-training:

"I'd never spent all my time before with another living being, and it made me slightly panicked. You'd think marriage would be like that, but if you've been married you know that it isn't. You are at work and he is at work, or maybe he's off with his buddies and you're looking at the Carolina summertime grass, wondering if you need to water or if the ragged remnants of some early tropical storm is going to do the job for you."

There is no formula here. The characters are flawed and real; the story echoes with the quietness of a life in transition. Yes, there is a love interest for Janey, but the ending pulls no punches. Although it might well bring a poignant tear or two. And there are also a lot of very cute dogs.

Another WONDERFUL Hearon Novel
At first I was not sure I was going to love this, but I am now so invested in this book that I don't want it to end.Further, I just wept my way through Chapter 36 with my stomach in knots.Buy this book.You will love it.

Excellent
Thoroughly enjoyed the book.Great look at Vermont from an "outsider's" view.Being a Vermonter myself I found this particularly interesting.Not the usual "dog story" but well interwoven with people, places, and interesting events.

Wonderful Read
I've never read Hearon before, but am delighted to find a new-to-me author! I thoroughly loved this book, and even cried at the end. Happy tears.

Though at times I did skim because I wasn't interested in some of the detail. I would've like a little more tension in the story, but you know, sometimes life isn't high tension, is it?

Hearon is a wonderful story teller and the plot line with the dog gripped me completely.

Lovely and sweet
A simple, short, and lovely read.The author dealt with painful subjects and yet did it without pathos.Though Janey has suffered a lot of indignity and pain, she does not indulge in great flights of self pity and chooses, instead, to build a new life for herself.She shows a great deal of strength and growth over the course of the novel and though she's level-headed and calm in the face of some pretty major emotional events, I didn't feel that she was unbelievable as a character.Hearon also dealt sensitively with the issue of Aunt May and her relationship and did a good job of making James something of an immature and sometimes exasperating but still lovable character.There was an overall feeling of serenity to this novel due to Hearon's treating her characters' various tragedies as hardships but not tragedies of epic proportions.This lent the book a very realistic feel and really rang true.Overall I felt this book was a lovely celebration of the ordinariness of life, of its trials and tribulations and triumphs, and of the way we must pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and carry on. ... Read more