James A. Michener Summary

Michener, James (1907-1997) With the passing of James Michener in 1997, America lost one of the most prolific American novelists and outstanding philanthropists of the twentieth century. In his popula... Read more

James Michener (1907-1997) is best known for his many epic historical novels, which have sold an estimated 75 million copies worldwide. He was also a noted philanthropist, having contributed more than... Read more

James Michener has published nearly a dozen volumes of fiction, but such is his versatility that he has published more than an equal number of volumes of nonfiction, and more than one hundred articles... Read more

Critical Essay by Jonathan Yardley It's easy enough to be condescending toward James Michener, and over the years many reviewers have been exactly that. His long, plodding novels are high on s... Read more

Critical Essay by Pearl K. Bell James Michener's long and earnest novels … have not been found worthy of even the most casual mention in serious studies of contemporary American fiction... Read more

[In the following obituary, Barnes gives an overview of the author's works, calling him a "gifted storyteller, with a panoramic vision."] James A. Michener, a prolific author w... Read more

[In the following obituary, Krebs discusses Michener's work and comments on his expert documentation and narrative ability.] James A. Michener, who survived a Dickensian childhood to win the... Read more

[In the following review, Barich praises Michener's memoir, The World Is My Home, as a "Horatio Alger story," both entertaining and touching.] In his new memoir, The World Is M... Read more

[In the following review, Wolitzer finds that Michener's melodramatic Recessional pales in comparison to his poignant The World Is My Home.] James A. Michener seems to heed the old dictum to... Read more