Publication
Fawcett Crest, c1980.
Status
Available
Description
A historical novel covering over 15,000 years of history in South Africa and which focuses on three principal families who settled in the region throughout the centuries. The family of Nxumalo; the van Doorns, a Dutch family; and the Saltwoods of England.
User reviews
LibraryThing member John5918
A good introduction to the history of South Africa, at least since colonial times, through a work of fiction.
LibraryThing member santhony
Pretty decent, but not up to the standard of some of Michener's best.
LibraryThing member jwhenderson
In 1978 I spent six weeks in South Africa living in Johannesburg for business. So I was intrigued when two years later Michener's historical fiction about South Africa was published and I read it. I enjoyed the book and learned more about the history of the land I had visited but was not impressed
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enough to become a Michener fan. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarleneMills
I really enjoy historical novels and I think Michner's are generally very well done. At some points, I thought he dwelled on the European background more that I would have liked, especially since the book is over 1200 pages, but in the end I thought it was a great read. Our tour director said there
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were some minor historical inaccuracies that would only be noticed by a South African. Show Less
LibraryThing member WendyP1
The most fascinating book about Africa
LibraryThing member TimmyP
Michener really rocks. He must do an unimaginable amount of research for his books (I would assume he has a staff to help him) and, even though the Covenant is VERY long, you are still sad when it is finished. He writes the history of South Africa through different chapters corresponding to
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different time periods with extremely interesting characters. When he gets to the more modern times, he shows us South Africa mostly through the eyes of the Afrikaans which I found very interesting. He in NO way defends Apartheid but you can get an idea of how it came about. If you like long, well written, historical fiction, then this book is for you. Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
South Africa is Michener's theme this time and he gives it his usual episodic treatment. The style is still competent, and there is stuff on the Boer war, and the modern pre-Mandela, apartheid state.
LibraryThing member maryreinert
Read for the second time and still a wonderful epic Michener saga. Beginning with the early San peoples of the region and ending with the story of Apartheid, this covers the history of South Africa through several families: one Dutch (Afrikaner, one English, one native). Over 1200 pages cover a lot
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of territory, but there are few details that I would have omitted as this is an excellent blend of fictional characters painted over the factual history of the nation of South Africa. Show Less
LibraryThing member zmagic69
Well I don’t think you can ever enter into reading a James A. Michener book lightly.
I had this book on the to be read shelf for the last 10 years, and last week I saw there were elections in South Africa and I decided to give the book a try.
I clearly knew nothing of the founding of South Africa,
In some ways it’s good that it came out in 1979 because while it doesn’t cover the last 40 years which have been significant in South Africa’s history it does do some detailed and accurate predicting.
Just like many of his other books prepare to learn so much along the way, and plan to have some late nights since the paperback edition is small print and 1200 pages.
This is an excellent book. It is too bad now still writes this type of book anymore.
I had this book on the to be read shelf for the last 10 years, and last week I saw there were elections in South Africa and I decided to give the book a try.
I clearly knew nothing of the founding of South Africa,
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the Dutch and British influence, Calvinism, the Old Testament, the different tribes that were already in the area, who the Boers were, how a people became Afrikaner. This book is wildly in depth and extremely fascinating.In some ways it’s good that it came out in 1979 because while it doesn’t cover the last 40 years which have been significant in South Africa’s history it does do some detailed and accurate predicting.
Just like many of his other books prepare to learn so much along the way, and plan to have some late nights since the paperback edition is small print and 1200 pages.
This is an excellent book. It is too bad now still writes this type of book anymore.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0449244741 / 9780449244746
Original publication date
1980