Caribbean

A Novel

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Alexander Adams

In this acclaimed classic novel, James A. Michener sweeps readers off to the Caribbean, bringing to life the eternal allure and tumultuous history of this glittering string of islands. From the 1310 conquest of the Arawaks by cannibals to the decline of the Mayan empire, from Columbus’s arrival to buccaneer Henry Morgan’s notorious reign, from the bloody slave revolt on Haiti to the rise of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, Caribbean packs seven hundred dramatic years into a tale teeming with revolution and romance, authentic characters and thunderous destinies. Through absorbing, magnificent prose, Michener captures the essence of the islands in all of their awe-inspiring scope and wonder.

Praise for Caribbean

“Michener is a master.”—Boston Herald

“A grand epic . . . [James A. Michener] sympathizes with the struggles of the region’s most oppressed, and succeeds in presenting the Caribbean in its rich diversity.”—The Plain Dealer

“Remarkable and praiseworthy . . . utterly engaging.”—The Washington Post Book World

“Even American tourists familiar with some of the serene islands will find themselves enlightened. . . . In Caribbean, there appears to be a strong aura of truth behind the storytelling.”—The New York Times

Critic reviews

“Michener is a master.”—Boston Herald

“A grand epic . . . [James A. Michener] sympathizes with the struggles of the region’s most oppressed, and succeeds in presenting the Caribbean in its rich diversity.”—The Plain Dealer

“Remarkable and praiseworthy . . . utterly engaging.”—The Washington Post Book World

“Even American tourists familiar with some of the serene islands will find themselves enlightened. . . . In Caribbean, there appears to be a strong aura of truth behind the storytelling.”—The New York Times

Needed to know more

It was a good story but only a few islands were covered. It was so sad that many of the islands were poorly managed, especially Haiti. Lots of coverage of Haiti, not a word about Dominican Republic. Many of the islands were not even visited. Much about Panama but only about transporting gold and silver.

Typical Michener...

as usual, James Michener writes a fictional story that seems anything but. he gets you involved and emotional about probably a dozen different eras with distinct circumstances, and ties them all together to the present day. in the last chapter, when the main character of that particular segment makes a big decision based on the things she learned that Michener narrates to us, you can't help but feel some of what she's going through. like he does so often, he biographises lives you would love to have lived, and lives you feel pity for hundreds of years later. The first book of his that I read was Poland, and it made me super interested in all things Polish. then, Hawaii. same result. A few books later, I just finished Caribbean, and I feel I have to travel back to the Caribbean and pay attention to the things I've learned about in this book that you don't hear on tours. I would give this book 500 stars if it was possible. enjoy it!

A miniseries should be next and long over due

A miniseries should be the next undertaking to bring some of the West Indies / Caribbean history to life . Fast moving , but well written and read. You almost feel that you're in the scenes when the events are happening. incorporating fiction with historical facts is an interesting way in telling the stories, but it keeps you interested in the outcome. Will definitely be an eye opener for folks who are oblivious to the West Indian people and it history and the parts the Empires played

Stunning Revelations

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this. This is one of Mitchner’s best.

Great history and drama.

Michener gives his usual complete picture of a complicated
Area. Interesting sidelight is the role cruise line plays in the
Economy of Haiti and how the European countries come off
More prejudice than the U.S. South.