Texas

A Novel

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

"A book about oil and water, rangers and outlaws, Anglos and Hispanics, frontier and settlement, money and power...James Michener is something rare and valuable: an honorable craftsman doing honorable work....He manages to make history vivid and palatable to the reader."
THE BOSTON GLOBE
Texas. A land of sprawling diversity and unparalleled richness; a dazzling chapter in the history of our nation, a place like no other on earth. Through the remarkable lives of four families, this epic saga spans four centuries and two continents and charts the dramatic formation of several great dynasties from the age of the conquistadors to the present day. A richly compelling novel of a proud people eager to meet the challenge of the land, TEXAS is James Michener's most magnificent achievement.

Critic reviews

“Fascinating.”—Time

“A book about oil and water, rangers and outlaws, frontier and settlement, money and power . . . [James A. Michener] manages to make history vivid.”—The Boston Globe

“A sweeping panorama . . . [Michener] grapples earnestly with the Texas character in a way that Texas’s own writers often don’t.”—The Washington Post Book World

“Vast, sprawling, and eclectic in population and geography, the state has just the sort of larger-than-life history that lends itself to Mr. Michener’s taste for multigenerational epics.”—The New York Times

Great Book, Poor Narration

I read this book decades ago when it came out, And I loved it. This time I thought I'd listen to it while I drive. The story is still excellent, but the narration is working on my nerves. The enunciation is spectacular. But the rest Is difficult. No insult to the narrator, but he sounds like an automated voice. A machine talking. Miserable show of inflection. And it's so monotonous I frequently lose track of what he was saying. And then have the miserable misfortune of having to back it up and listen again. I drive several hours a day. Reading the book will be time-consuming and time is short. I hate to do it, but I might just stop. Pick it back up when I can read the book again. Which I still have. I may even return the audio version. Such a shame.

The book is great, the reader is monotonous

Michener wrote splendid historical fiction. I so wanted to love this audio version but the readers voice is so monotone and monotonous I quit listening after 5 chapters. He has a nice voice but there is rarely any inflection in his voice to let the reader know when things are exciting , like the battle passages , no shouting, no breathlessness, no sadness or joy. I pass on this one. I would like to get my money back.


I am currently listening to "Exodus" by Leon Uris and its great. Also, listened to "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie also a great listen, you wont get board listening to these 2 books.

Superior Story, explains Texan mindset

What a bargain - over 64 hours, never boring! Very well researched, learned a lot about Texas and Mexico history while being entertained. Increased my respect and appreciation for Texas. Lots of very sad history - cruel domination of men over their fellow man. Helped me to understand the thinking of Texans I have had dealings with.

I did not agree with the conduct or opinions of most of the characters...murderous, greedy, racist, etc. Did not agree with people throwing their lives away in a lost cause. Several decent hard working admirable characters.

Learned a lot of interesting things about the long horn cattle and armadillos.

Author a craftsman. Narrator exceptionally good with the various accents - a variety of Amercian accents as well as Mexican, French, Irish, etc. I very much like this narrator.

I recommend this book. It is a classic and I rated it 5 stars in each category.

boring beginning but had some cool parts

the beginning was too long and boring just a bunch of names the book got better towards the end.

Absolutely Fantastic

I am so bad at writing reviews but I felt this deserves the 5 stars. This book is just great because it explains everything in so much detail I will be listening again.