For all the infamy Michener has reaped for his fictional and factual works, I'm amazed not a work has been uttered of his poetic talents. As a tribute to the late author, I bought his remaining book I did not already own. Michener, a clear and concise thinker, still finds soul and imagination enough to write beatiful - and personally revealing - prose. Bravo.

As is typical with Michener, not only does he manage to tell a great story, but somehow he squeezes in the whole universe: all the people, their thoughts, actions, backgrounds, lives, and histories of their country, art, styles, artists, etc., involved in this tale of the art world all the way from the dawn til he lifted his pen from the page.

This is the definitive study of the ukiyo-e masters and the Japanese prints of the Edo era. It details things print by print, artist by artist. An amazing work. No wonder, as Howard Link mentions in his forward, that people were so impressed with Michener's command of this subject that he was literally given entire collections of fantastic ancient Japanese artwork. This chronicles why Michener became the world's premiere collector and savior of the ukiyo-e masterpieces. It also makes abundantly clear why Michener is a master of prose much like the artists he loved were masters of this unique block and ink medium.

Thomas

What an inexpensive treat to be able to get inside advice on book writing and publishing from 40 people in the business.

As the author of 113 books (including revisions and foreign-language editions) and over 500 magazine articles, I highly recommend this book to writers. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

I read (and looked at) Iberia while preparing to visit Spain in 1969. I had already read Hawaii and Caravans by Michener, which are 2 great stories, but this photo essay about Spain astounded me. Although I thought I was prepared, I knew how to speak Spanish, I had lived in Peru for about 3 years, I had seen bullfights, I knew about geography, etc, Michener's short but in depth reflections about places in Spain made me hungry for a trip there, to try to experience some of what he wrote about. The photos are an integral part of this book, I can't remember the name of the photographer.

This book should still be in print! I'll look in a library now.

For anyone interested in the craft of writing, this is a fun book to have; it is clever and unsentimental. Michener recalls encounters with Hemmingway, as he (Michener) was asked to write a blurb for The Old Man and the Sea (after a dissapointing Across the River and Through the Tress) which, as a result, made it a bestseller and garnered it the Pulitzer Prize, with Margaret Mitchell at Macmillan, and how he marveled at how tiny and thin she was, with Truman Capote and how they both escorted a beautiful woman together, and many other wonderful recollections. It is not trite with sentimentality. This is a book of an old man looking fondly back at his encounters with some of the literary legends who changed literature as we know it.

As an English student, I've come to appreciate the level to which Michener can analyze a work. He can draw meaning and nuance from seemingly dry prose. Micherer's 70-year career has left him well-armed to analyze and defend any topic. His reflections on the literary giants of our time come from a giant themselves, thus giving us a new perspective on otherwise exhausted topics. Excellent!

Mexico is simply stunning. I couldn't put it down. A fabulous story of rememberence and love for a nation. The amazing bullfight sequences are superbly written, and more amazing details could not have been seen if one had been there. A must read for anyone interested in Mexico, Spain, or just wanting to read a GREAT book.

I discovered this book while looking for a present for my aunt's 88th. birthday present. She and her late husband traveled all over the country taking their time to wander back roads and see things tourists miss. One of their favorite spots was the Smoky Mountains. I'm sure this book will bring back many pleasant memories for her. The paintings are wonderful as are the many small vignettes of birds and tree leaves. Even if you haven't been to the Smokies--as I haven't--you'll find the book enjoyable. Haven't read it yet, since I think my aunt should first, but I couldn't resist looking at the paintings, as did my parents. I highly recommend it.

I have always enjoyed the Olympics. It was very interesting reading about the start of the modern Olympics and some of the early hurdles to it. Many of the first games had no official rules and had people signing up that day or even joining in a few minutes before! Even in the later years there have been various troubles that have affected the games. With nations having battle of wills and refusing to attend. Then there are the Olympians themselves. Ones who swore they would never be back and were there the next time. Others who proved themselves even without earning a medal.

As a former Philadelphian, I am impressed by the Seitz's thorough approach to Philadelphia and its surrounds. Everything from the history to the arts to the local color is addressed in gorgeous photos and descriptive text. It's a wonderful keepsake for me to remember the eleven happy years that I lived in the area.