Cheap Legacy (Book) (JAMES A. MICHENER) Price

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Customer Reviews of Legacy

Legacy is a very factual book and an interesting book that will keep the reader on edge. Many people have heard about the gentlemen that signed the Constitution, but this gives Michener's audience a fictional account of things that could have happened at the meetings. The main character Norman Starr portrays the historical figures in this book. He tells his wife all there is to know about the Starr family.

Michener goes in order of the first Starr to serve America, Jared, and ends up telling about what Norman does in his life as a military major. Considering that there are not many facts documented on the Starrs, Michener ties facts and fiction together well.

Michener is an extraordinary writer. He is the kind of writer that uses many descriptive words. He tries to "drag" his readers into history. If Michener did not use as many descriptive phrases, he would not touch his audience in the same way. He pulls the reader into the book even when he is not interested in history. He makes the reader feel as if he is part of the Starr family history. Other writers of history, drag things out and make history dull, but not Michener. He wants people to enjoy his writing. He tries to tell them everything there is to know in one paragraph, though he does not do it in a way that will bore his readers.

When reading this book, Michener's audience will realize what our ancestors have really done and given for our country. People, just everyday citizens, have changed our lives dramatically. If you are ever in the mood to read about out country's history, definitely pick up a novel written by James A. Michener because everything he writes about stays true to the way history was played out.

Time and Place
I agree with the near unanimous vote - James Michener at his 'least'. Books subscibe to the 'time and place' theory of life. If you are looking for a short, easy-to-read, novelette this book comes at the right time and place. If you want something a little deeper and with foundation and formation, well, pick up 'Texas'. As written before me - I liked the short stories that followed the birth and growth of our country and the adoption of the Constitution and it's amendments. A major disappointment was the sudden and inconclusive ending - ok, so Norman Starr puts on a badly matched suit and then ... what? Jail time? Probation? A radio talk show? Does his wife get to work at that data processing job she spoke of at least two times throughout the book? If Norman is vindicated does the father-in-law, who shows up at breakfast time in the last pages of the book, get all the credit? I, too, appreciated the printing of the Constitution at the end. High school history is too far away and it is refreshing to reread the important stuff. Even living near the 'Cradle of Liberty' one forgets how much was given to shape the good things we have.

Unlike his others
This is a short note in Michener's style of novels, it ties a family into their past back to the Constitution, but always just near to the main characters as we know our history. It also has the constitution at the end of the novelette and a preview of Alaska. All in all it could be said this was a writing for profit. I don't believe that to be fact. Looking deeply it tells a wonderful story of "could have been" based on true history. The constitution is very good reading for all in our country. I am sad to say that most of our young people have never read it. This would be a stellar book for a high school history class, sadly I don't beleive the interest would be there not only from students but the faculty themselves. there are always the exceptions to all in life so we hope the percentage that do read and understand what our forefathers did we may have to do also. The story depicts the honor we must all have for our country.