The Covenant

New York: Random House, 1980. First Trade Edition [stated]. Presumed first printing. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. Carole Lowenstein (drawing of baobab). 25 cm. xii, [2], 877, [5] pages. Endpaper map. Glossary. Genealogical Charts. Signed by the author on the title page. James Albert Michener (February 3, 1907 - October 16, 1997) was an American author of more than 40 books, most of which were fictional, lengthy family sagas covering the lives of many generations in particular geographic locales and incorporating solid history. Michener had numerous bestsellers and works selected for Book of the Month Club, and was known for his meticulous research behind the books. Michener's novels include Tales of the South Pacific for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948, The Covenant, Hawaii, The Drifters, Centennial, The Source, Chesapeake, Caribbean, Alaska, Texas, Space, and Poland. His non-fiction works include Iberia, about his travels in Spain and Portugal; his memoir titled The World Is My Home; and Sports in America. His first book was adapted as the Broadway musical South Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Derived from a Kirkus review: Michener begins with a glimpse of prehistoric Bushmen crossing the desert in search of water, but then he quickly introduces the first of his central dynasties: in the 1450s, black youth Nxumalo treks north to Zimbabwe, and witnesses its tragic abandonment; 350 years later, his descendant plays Brutus to the Caesar of mad, mother-obsessed Zulu king Shaka; and in the 1970s, Prof. Daniel Nxumalo, black activist, will be tried for treason. However, the prime focus is on the Europeans. The Dutch Van Doorns are the key clan. The English are represented by the Saltwoods. A wealth of fascinating material--and Michener does his best to balance Boer intransigence against imperious English mistakes, to find shreds of decency among patterns of cruelty and obtuseness. Michener's fans will certainly get the variety and epic they expect. When all is said and done, how many bestsellers are as clean-hearted, well-meaning, and educational as a Michener mammoth? Worthy and welcome.