Texas: A Novel

by James A. Michener
Texas: A Novel
book data
1,063 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 91 reviews (more data...)
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published
November 12th 2002 by Random House Trade Paperbacks (first published 1980)

details
Paperback, 1120 pages

isbn
0375761411    (isbn13: 9780375761416)

description
From the first Spanish explorations to the Alamo to the oil fields, here is alarger-than-life history of a larger-than-life state.


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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1,447)

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Lindsey
Dec 18, 2009
Lindsey rated it: 5 of 5 stars (review of isbn 0394541545)

Read in December, 2009
The only other book of Michener's I have read thus far was "Chesapeake," and while I enjoyed that as well, "Texas" basically blew it out of the water. As I said when I finished it, "'Chesapeake' was interesting because it told the story of the start of the country and that's a necessary base for any American history. But 'Texas' is where all [American:] stereotypes come from."

I love the way Michener writes, mixing fact and fiction, storytelling with li...more
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Karen
Dec 18, 2009
Karen rated it: 3 of 5 stars

bookshelves: historical-ficiton
Read in January, 2010
Oh, this was such a long read. I have never read a Michener work before, but my dad just moved from California to Houston, TX, and I wanted to get some information about that great state.

Michener does a masterful job creating a storyline that crosses counties and generations in ways that gives a great context for the innumerable details packed into this 1,000 plus page novel. I was very captivated in learning about the various stages of Texas' history:

The Spanish explor...more
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Weathervane
Feb 28, 2010
Weathervane rated it: 4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: historical-fiction
Read in March, 2010
I liked the book overall. Michener has incredible skill when it comes to narrative. Unfortunately, the epic scope of the novel comes at the expense of character development. The people populating Texas never transcend basic sketches, and as a result, the reader ends up running out of steam near the end. There's just not enough invested.

Part of the problem is that Michener loves his details. Not details of description, but the minutiae of plot points, like the exact cost of every item...more
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Jason
Aug 29, 2009
Jason rated it: 1 of 5 stars

Read in August, 2009
You wouldn't think there would be such a thing as "too much information about Texas." This book was like being in a warm bath of Texas; it's comfortable and unchallenging and it can go on forever and eventually you have to get out or puke. I made it about 30% of the way through it, so this doesn't count as a point for me.

This book was based on a new used book store algorithm: find the book with the most copies on the shelf and that's going to be a good book. The flaw wit...more
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Mom Coulongue
Feb 15, 2010
Mom Coulongue rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in February, 2010
I dearly loved this book and can hardly wait for Vol.II to arrive via interlibrary loan.

Long -615 pages- heavily researched and exciting. With a daughter's family and a granddaughter's family living in Texas, this was even more intriguing to know the conflicts, successes and characters who made history. Even his fictional characters are realistic. Of course, my favorite is Otto and I hope there is more about him in the Vol.II.

Want it, Val?
The Vol.I is mine, but...more
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Rachel
Jul 17, 2009
Rachel rated it: 2 of 5 stars

bookshelves: history, literature
Read in December, 2009
I finally finished it. Not quite history, not quite fiction, this book was... well, historical fiction. And it really taught me why I don't like historical fiction. Many of the made-up historical "facts" are pointless, the characters are one-dimensional, and everything about Texas has to make it into the plot, no matter how unrelated. Armadillos... football... hunting... Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders... chicken-fried steak.

That said, there were reasons I kept reading th...more
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Garrett
Mar 26, 2008
Garrett rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Read in November, 2008
Kind of hard to get through. Very dense stuff. There are some jewels in here, and the way he choose to structure the book is very interesting: the story within the story.

Well, after about 2 years I have finally managed to complete this one.

The first third was very hard to get through (remember that the entire book was over 1300 pages). The middle part was really pretty good and enjoyable. The last third was just OK. I read the final two thirds in 4 months. However, I only...more
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Jamie
Sep 04, 2007
Jamie rated it: 5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: fiction
Read in February, 2008
recommended to Jamie by: my brother
recommends it for: Americans
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Trisch Cronin
Jan 06, 2010
Trisch Cronin rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in December, 2009
A deeply historical book, Texas took me by surprise in it's in-depth descriptions of the many twists and turn that made Texas. I enjoyed getting to know the families used to tell the tales of Texas history and through them came to understand some of the idiosyncrasies. This book was a long read, but it kept me interested by not laboring too long on a topic. If you like history and you want to better understand the very unique state of Texas, this book will give it all to you.
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Aaron Lecciones
Feb 19, 2010
Aaron Lecciones rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2004
TO read this and Mexico go hand in hand with all the other great books he wrote on the region. Fantastic story-telling, mind-blogging adventures. After reading this, it feels like I've been in Texas for hundreds of years! Particular interest is how religion is treated in the book as well as the fantastic intimate story about how a river crossing turns into a business empire.
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Joe
Jun 28, 2009
Joe rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in August, 2009
This is a great book with a great story, it doesn't ramble as much as some of his books and at the end the various story lines are tied together very well. At no point was the book exceptionally difficult to put down, but it was always easy to pick up and to read. The only problem with this is that it was very very long. A 1300 page book is fine if there is a great deal of information to present, or if it is a page turner that you can't put down. In this case, it was 1300 pages of enjoyable ...more
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Faye Heath
Feb 24, 2010
Faye Heath is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading
I thought I hit all the Michener books when I was younger but this one slipped by me. It's the perfect build-up to my Texas trip next month. I'm not quite half way through it. The Alamo just fell and Goliad is next. Sam Houston is biding his time, waiting to kick a little ass at San Jacinto.
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Josh
Feb 24, 2009
Josh rated it: 4 of 5 stars

long......
so i have a tendency to like long books, but this one, even though terrific, i just didn't care anymore once i got to page 995 or so.

too many generations of families to keep up with over too long a reading period.

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Cindy
Mar 20, 2009
Cindy rated it: 4 of 5 stars (review of isbn 0394541545)

Read in July, 2005
I have lived in Texas for 17 years, in Fort Worth and San Antonio. After reading this book, I understand so much more of what Texas is all about. Fascinatingly researched, brilliantly documented. Michener does it again!
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Anita
May 14, 2009
Anita added it

Read in May, 2009
This is my 3rd Michener book. I've thoroughly enjoyed all three. I love the history and keeps you involved with the characters through generations. Don't let the length of the book scare you. It'll go by quickly
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Roberta
Apr 23, 2009
Roberta rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Read in January, 2002
It took me over 2 years (resting to read other books in between, of course) to finish this. I liked it more than "Mexico" but not as much as "Caribbean" and definitely not nearly as much as "Centennial".
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Jenny
Sep 13, 2009
Jenny rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2009
recommended to Jenny by: Dad
This is a comprehensive novelization of Texas history spanning from the Spanish discovery of the area in the 1500's to the more modern 1980's. The fictional stories are based on true historical prototypes that cover the many aspects of Texas development through Mission conversions, settlers from various countries, the time of the Texas Republic (Remember the Alamo!), Rangers, Civil War, cowboys/indians, forts, frontier living, religion, and football. A long read, but worth the effort if you want...more
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Grandma
Apr 21, 2009
Grandma rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in April, 2006
The most exciting book I ever read. Definately recommend for anyone who has an interest in the old west and for all Texans
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Terry Earley
Mar 22, 2009
Terry Earley rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Read in January, 1980
I am an unabashed Michener fan. Sorry, but I learn about places and cultures with every book of his I have read.
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Janet Wilcox
Sep 01, 2009
Janet Wilcox rated it: 2 of 5 stars

Usually I like Michener, but just couldn't get into this one. Maybe I'll try again another time. Didn't finish it.
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