Legacy

by James A. Michener

Hardcover, 1987

Status

Available

Call number

F Mic

Call number

F Mic

Barcode

7083

Publication

Random House (1987), Edition: First Edition, 176 pages

Description

Fiction. Literature. Thriller. Historical Fiction. HTML:In this sweeping novel inspired by the Iran-Contra affair, master storyteller James A. Michener conjures the triumphs and tragedies of one family and their dynamic role in the history of the United States and its founding document. Over a tense weekend of reflection, Major Norman Starr of the National Security Council prepares to appear before a congressional committee to publicly account for his covert actions. Hoping to learn something from his proud, troubled heritage, Starr looks for guidance in the lives of his ancestors: all-Americans who weren�t always right. From a framer of the Constitution to a slave owner, from a Supreme Court justice to a courageous suffragist, each recalls an important legacy that Starr must somehow reconcile with his own perilous dilemma. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener's Hawaii.   Praise for Legacy   �Michener has left his own legacy. . . . [He] is an educator, not just in history but in ethics, and like any good educator, he�s not afraid to confront a complex world.��Edward Rutherfurd, Chicago Tribune   �Michener tells interesting stories about the Constitution, even if they are fiction. He brings the document alive. . . . Each tale is told with the Michener flair.��United Press International   �An impressive amount of historical drama . . . Captivating historical vignettes [are] woven skillfully within Starr�s talks with his loving wife and loyal attorney.��Kirkus Reviews   �A revealing book . . . about the forging of the Constitution and the crises that shaped it.��Associated Press.… (more)

Original publication date

1987

User reviews

LibraryThing member jpsnow
I was expecting more of the misguided preachiness typical of Michener's modern commentary. It appeared subtly in certain passages, but the overall story at least portrays both sides in the critical debates in our nation's history - independence, the Constitution, the Civil War, and women's rights.
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His most controversial idea surfaces around p. 70 where he admires the supreme court decisions that resulted in a flexible government, based on changing definitions decided solely by it. Despite my reservations this is a respectable and interesting introduction to our government. The closing message is that we need to not be silent.
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LibraryThing member santhony
Short, average and not up to Michener's usual standards.
LibraryThing member junebedell
This is pretty much a lesson in history for fifth graders! I gave up half way through it. The story line traces a current day Army officer's family history, members of which just happen to be famous partakers of significant historical events. Not terribly original in thought. Then I looked at the
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publishing date -1987 - 200 yrs. after the drafting of the US Constitution....hence the reason for the book. Rather lame.
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LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Short, extremely interesting and Michener. Doesn't get much better. Michener always does sweeping sagas about the history of places. Chesapeake was enthralling. This one is different. It's the story of a military man right before he is set to testify before Congress on his role in the Iran Contra
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affair. The book is his family's history, from the formation and signing of the
US constitution to the Suffragettes to the present. Fascinating reading. Even my sister, who is not a reader by any means, picked the book up and began to flip through it. I hope she will read it.

Recommended.
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LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Short, extremely interesting and Michener. Doesn't get much better. Michener always does sweeping sagas about the history of places. Chesapeake was enthralling. This one is different. It's the story of a military man right before he is set to testify before Congress on his role in the Iran Contra
Show More
affair. The book is his family's history, from the formation and signing of the US constitution to the Suffragettes to the present. Fascinating reading. Even my sister, who is not a reader by any means, picked the book up and began to flip through it. I hope she will read it. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member buffalogr
This book is a topical review of American history told through generations of the Starr family. It's a short six hours and one third of it is recitation of the constitution (which I skipped). Covered:--overall story in the critical debates in our nation's history - independence, the Constitution,
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the Civil War, and women's rights.
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Rating

(60 ratings; 3.2)

Pages

176
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